Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1815-02-25

Bel this war. just closed. we were SO
wholly ignorant OF every thing necessary to
maintain and to conduct war. that the
hrst year was series of the most extraor
binary movements, exciting a. once anguish
and ridicule; every thing that was done ap.
peared the reverse of what ought to be
done.
The experience of,that war, tended to
produce more correct ideas, bnt the second
year producedonly such further experience
as led to the paths in which war could be
conducted with effect; and experience was
on tue verge Of being realised when peace
was concluded.
Before the war, it was the opinion of the
secretary of the treaury. that the war could
be conducted for several years with only a
revenue of ten millions & some small loaas |.
we have learned that this was fata; error,
and we shall know better, should we be ever
involved in war again.
4 We have learned by the war, that it is neces
sary to begin with an adequate instead Of an
inadequate force.
We have learned that science should been
couraged. that an army requires discipline, and
that;i time to provide for battle is not when
the enemy IS present.
But we have learnt what is of very great
importance to ourselves to know, and which
all TIE world win perceive. We have shown
to '',e world that free representative govern
.ment even at the moment when'it thinks it
self the weakest, is really the strongest GO
vernment in existence,
England has been able by subsidies or the
purchase of few cabinet ministers in the
courts OF EuroPe,to arm all the nations cf Eu
rope, ami by her subsidies to subIugate France
But the same corrlpiion could not be nc.
comp'ished with whole people, xtended over
an immense territory like the Lifted States,
and therein the superiority OF popular govern.
ment has been manifested in the most fortu-l
nate manner
This result has been the more manifest and
important, both in its operation and manner.
by the fact that by means Of commercial agen-
cies. religious AMI ppltic Il em,ssaries, and o.
ther means, England had consrived 10 deprive
the union ct the physical and moral force OF
three of the states Of the upipr, aud para
living dissifection in two more, so as TO obtain
from i'self, an irdirect aliisnce of Masss'
chuset.s, Rhode Island and Connecticut and
apartia SUSPENSION of the physical and moral
!orce of Delaware and Maryland.
The war has resulted, nevertheless. IN de-
was sufficiently strong, when Eve out of eigh-
teen OF the states were asithcss to themselves,
and favorable to the enemy.
The union has learned, and the world has
seen, that thirtee~ of the states are competent
TO sustain the independence cfthe nation, ard
TO protect the faithiess states from "their own
worst enemies, themselves
The result OF the war is, in another point
o. view, pronitinus; We have Sc that the
enemy has possessed All the advantages which
he could possess from the uhrestrained Ii
ccutonsness Of the press from the constant
eulngies imposed by presses within the bosom
OF the country on the enemy; aud by the
most iatorious treachery to which the press
could be perverted in attempting TO spread
destruction and di'unon, and to weaken aud
yle'ame the government, aud favor the enemy,
during the whole course OF tile war. The re-
suit O! the war has shewn the superiority and
the strength of free government in this most
conspcuousiy.
The result OF the war has shawn that the
prostitution Of the pulpit. and the establish
nent of Bible Societies susservient to the
views and policy OF the enemy, could not se-
duce free people from the defence of their
rights and liberties.
The war has shewn that with eqsal force
and often with inferior force, We can meet
ard beat the British by land aad water-and
this has been demonstrated-
IN the naval Victories of lake Erie, lake
Champain--and
In Tue actions with the Guerrero, the Ma .
oedonlan, and the Java besides the ac-
items Of the Frolic. Wasp. Peacock, &c.
This has been manifested by land, in three
battles on the Niagara strait /; in the battle Of
u: tranehc and at Orleans in a manner unpra-
cedented in human annals
And itcannot ever b. lost airh. Of, that these
splendid and signal achicvcrnS nts have been
obtained, while three of the states were actual
" in rebellion while one Of them suffered its
err''ory to De occupied unmelested by the enc
rny-Teiused aid TO assist itself-and was pub.
ilciy and m the most audacious manner carry
'ng on measures to defeat the protecting mca-
sur,s o. tne rnIon, and to PROSTATE the nation
at the feet of the enemy
The war has resulted in nroy;nc, what was
heretofore disgracefpgiy held fourth by one
part oil the union to terrify aud Jeiame other
states, that the menaces Of danger from The
black population are ideal and teaches the
important truth that whenever we NAV be at
war. We shall find in that class of the poRuIa-
ton powerful means Of defence.
The result of the war has shown that the
yeomanry ofthe south are superior 70 the most
experienced and hardy veterans Of Europe.
The result Of the war his shown that the mi
itia OF the eastern states, about which 50 much
lofty Boosting has been heard wear alter wear,
Is mere name since it has never appeared
even IN defence its own soil, and has shnink
from the Obligations Of common defence, whic n
is due to the social body.
The war, in is rssuif, has shevn that the
nation can exist in honor and glory and success.
10 war and in peace, without The aid and in d =
spite OF the hostility Of Massachusetts and
Connecticut.
These truths are now notorious to the union
and tA the wortd--