The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1815-04-26


I'd upon its shores.
Our state has been destined by the enemy
TO bear its full share of the dangers and pri-
vations of the war. Long shall we remember,
with proud satisfaction, the unyielding spirit
and patriotic ardor of those of our fellow cit
lzens who were exposed to perpetual alarm.
Neither British discipline, nor the war-whoop
o. the merciless Indian; could appal them
AT every point of attack, from Champiain to
the banks of Erie, the untutored bravery of
militia has met and repealed the foe. In O.
Their parts of our country, the enemy has
been taught to respect the American name
The glorious victory at n. Orleans was OBJ
tanned against chosen troops by our nndiscip-
lined brethren of the west. with a disparity
OF loss unparalleled in the annals of warfare.
Future generations will regard the history of
that event as the wild illusions of a romantic
brain.
The brilliant events by sea and land, and
the glorious termination of the late contest.
has placed our country on exalted ground
We have gained much celebrity, and secu-
red the respect of the world. We have lear
ned the useful lesson, that our own produe-
tons, and the skill and enterprise of the A
mercan people, can furnish all the necessa-
ries and conveniences of life. We have es-
tablished manufactures, which will hereafter
turn the balance of trade in our favor, and
render us less dependent on other nations
We have proved the practicability of re-
public, such as ours, for the purposes of war.
Single-handed, We have humbled the pride of
that power which welded the destinies of
Europe. In the short space of three yeays,
we have progressed century in the scale of
nations. Against the practice of impress
ment, and the orders in council, the war was
declared and we have fought the enemy
until his orders were repealed, and the prac-
fice of impressment had ceased. The invio-
10 <~E h. A.
men, now rest on their oisly sure foundation
international law and the respect of the
world. Such guarantee is far more honor
able, and promises much greater durability
than the punic faith of kings.
Should any future minister of G. Britain en-
tertain the wicked design Of instructng Brit
ish press-gangs to seize American sailors, he
will recollect the fate of the Guerrero, the
Java and the Macedonian, and desist the
names of Perry and M'Donongh will fash up
on his mind, and the fatal pen will fall from
his hand.
But, fellow-citizens. you will be told bv
those who have pursued your government
with unceasing clamor, that the national
debt has been much INCREASED by the expen-
ditures OF the war. This is true: But if we
do not mistake your feelings, you will not fail
to reprobate the cold, calculating policy of
those men who put pecuniary considerations
IN competition with the rights, the honor and
the independence of your country, who rath-
er than pay the price of defence, would court
the tributary exactions of every ambitious ty-
rant, and tamely submit to the scorn, the
reproach and derision of the world
but vino ara the men who most loudly COM
plain of the expenses of the war? They are
the same who have Systematically opposed its
prosecution, and whose conduct has been di-
rectly calculated to prolong its duration, and
increase ITS expence they are the same,
who in 1897, declared war against France to
avenge an insult Offered to s=,irdscers
t..SJ e--c exc came, who in 1903, exerted all
their eloqucnce and ingenuity to procure
declaration of war against Spain, because her
intendant had interrupted our right of deposit
at N. Orleans they are the same, who from
Georgia to Maine, demonstrated in 1906, "a
gainst the aggressions of England who urged
your government to resist, & to make the al
Tentative, redress of wrongs or war they are
the same who have heretofore arrogated to
themselves the imposing maxim, " nations
for defence bur nor cent for tribute :" they
are the same, who by their representatives in
congress, declared that your government could
not be sc kicked into qpar )" who voted for
the preparatory measures, and after it was
declared, pronounced it to be wicked g IN
just"
Let it not, however, be understood, that we
mean to cast an indscriminate censure upon
all whose political creed has differed from
ours. Some who have heretofore been cal
led federalists, disdaining the shackles of par
ty, have boldly stood forth in vindication of the
rights and honor of our common country In
the hour of peril and alarm, they have been
found in the ranks with your brave defenders
with them they have united their efforts
with them they have shed their blood and
with them they richly merit your gratitude
and admiration.
But, however painful the consideration, it
cannot be disguised, that party has been
organized, whose object was to paralyze all
the energies of your government. In peace,
a war party, in war, "peace party" and
which, in rapid succession, has assumed all
the shapes of Proteus, and the various hues
of the Camelion. During the continuance
cf theiate struggle, the aspiring leaders of
this turbulent faction have directed their eff
forts to prevent the success of loans, to dis
courage the enlistment of soldiers, and to
drain the country Gifts specie, and thereby
produce national bankruptcy and ruin BY
them the enormities of the enemy have been
defended or palliated, our losses ampified,
& our successes ridicGled and diminished AS
our country rose amidst her difficulties and
dangers, they were in an equal degree de-
pressed and disconnected; and when she APP
peared to sink beneath the superintendent