Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1815-11-01

points on which all ghr look back with
proud satisfaction. The first related to the
time OF the conclusion of the peace. Had
II been made Immediately after the treaty
OF Paris, we should have retired humila-
| ted from the contest, believing that we had
escaped the severe chastisement with
which we were threatened, and that we
owed to the generosity and magnanimity
OF the enemy, what we were incapable of
commanding by our arms. That magma
nimity would have been the theme of eve
ry tongue, and OF every press abroad and
at nome. We should have retired uncon-
sciouS OF our.own strength, and unconscious
Of the utter inability of the enemy, with
his whole undivided force. 20 make any
serious impression upon MS. Our military
character, then in the lowest state of de-
gradstion. would have been unretrieved.
Fortunately for us, G.. Britain chose to try
the issue OF last Campaign. And the issue
OF the last campaign has demonstrated, in
the repuiSe before Baltimore, the retreat
from Pla,tSburgh, the hard fought actions
on the Niagara frontier, and in that most
glorious day, the 9th ct January, thgt we
have always possessed the finest clements
OF military composition, and that proper
use OF them only WAS necessary to ensure
TOR the army and III litia a fame as imper-
Ishabe as that which the navy had pre-
Vlously acquired.
Another point which appeared to Mr..
I. to afford the highest consolation was.
that we fought the most powerful nation,
perhaps, in existence, single-handed and
alone, without any sort of alliance. More
than 80 years had Great Britain been ma
turing her physical means, which she had
rendered as efficacious as possible, by
skill, by discipline. and by actual service.
Proudly Boosting Of the conquest of Eu-
rope, she vainly battered herself with the
easy conquest of America also. Her vete-
rams were put to flight or defeated, while
all Europe Che meant the governments of
Europe was gazing with cold Indifference,
or sentiments of positive hatred of us, up-
on the arduous contest. Hereafter no mo-
march can assert claims of gratitude upon
us, tor assistance rendered in the hour of
danger.
There was another view, of which the
SUBJECT OF the war was fairly susceptible
From the moment that Great Britain came
forward at Client with her extravagant
demands, the War totally changed its cha
racter. 1t became, as it were a new war.
1t WAS no longer an American war, pro-
secuted for reuress of British aggression up
on American rights. but became a British
war, prosecuted for objects of British am
bition, to be accomplished BY American
sacrilces. And what were those demands ?
Here, IN the immediate neighhorhood of a
sister state, and territories, which were TO
be made in part the victims, they must
have been felt, and their enormity Justly
appreciated. They consisted Of the cree
ton OF a barrier between Canada and the
United States, to be formed by cutting off
from Ohio and some of the territories. a
country more extensive than Great Britain.
containing thousands offreen en-, who were
to be aDdonedto their fate, and creating 2
new power, totally unknown upon the con
tinent Of America: OF the dismantiinr of
our fortresses, and naval power on the
Lakes, with the surrender Of the military
occupation of those waters to the enemy
and OF an reimbursement for two British
Provinces. These demands, boldly asser-
ted, and one OF them declared to be a sine
qua non, were iinally re'mqu.shed. Ia
KING this view Oft the subject, if there be
loss OF reputation by either party, in the
terms OF the Peace, who has sustained il
he effects of the war, were highly 81
tsfactory. Abroad our character. which
at the time of its declaration, was in the
lowest state of degradation, was raised TO
the highest point of elevation. 1t was i'm
possible for any American to visit Furope
without being sensible of this agreeable
change, in the personal attentions which
ne receives, in the praises which are bes-
towed on our past eXertions, and in the
flattering predictions which are made as tn
our future prospects. At home, a govern
ment, which, at its formation, was appre-
hended by its best friends and pronounced
by ats enemies to be incapable of standing
the shock of war, is found to answer all the
purposes of its institution. Tn SD tie of The
errors which had been com nit.ed land err
rors hsdundoubtedly been comnittedl aid
ed by the spirit and patriotism of the pe,-
pie, it is demonstrated to be as competent
TO the objects of effective war, as it had
been before proven to be to the concerns
OF season Of peace. Government has
thus acquired strength and confidence
Our prospects for the future are of t.e
brightest kind With every reason to count
on the permaneuce ofpeace, it remains on
ly tor the government 20 determine upon
military and naval Establishments, adapt
ed TO the growth anu extension Of our
country and its rising importance, keeping
IN view gradual but not burthensome In
crease Of the Navy to provide for the
payment Of the interest, and the redemn-
ton of the Public Debt, and for the chr
rent cXpences of Government. For all
these objects, the existing sources of the
revenue promise not only TO BE- abundant
" sufficient, but viii probably leave ample
scope to the exercise OF the Judgment Of
Congress, in selecting for repeal, modifi-
Cation or abolition, those which may be
found most oppressive, announcement or un-
productive