Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1816-07-10
VIRGINIA. ARGUS.
AZ alisbate= iamais, e. ,enpem thsclres.
Richmond. J.iyIo, 1916.
UYlrkssSa McNlscEr
ALLEANcEs DEFENSIVE, oFFENs1y

Z NiPFHS5e NE Nf5EhT
ALLIANCES DEFENSIVE, OFFENSIVE &c.
Much has been said respecting the two last
powerful combinations which have overwheln.
cd France, and hurled Napoleon from the acme
ofhunin greatness 10 the condition of Deepen
dent and degral led Exile. II is not preposterous
10 consider how far those combinations were re.
conciea5le to morality, and 10 draw precise
and steady Inc OF dernarcation between The
riSnt OF sovereigns 10 repsl aggression and pro-
tect theirown states, and Their right to inva, c
snd subjugate another nation In investigating
this question let us listen to the immuab!e dc.
tates at reason and truth, not to the sophistieal
doctrines of macliiayei,c cabinets let us EN-.
ploy the pure light with which na;ure has sup
piled us by the gs of common sense, and not the
artificial glare Of ministerial are,sa entG.ion.
Neighhouring states owe 10 each other not
only justice and COOL fith, but .;,r the indiyitlu
al safety Of each, and for the common interest of
all, they ought TO form kind OF association,
sort of universal Repubhe.
Ii one ct those states be permitted to acquire
gigantic size, and to grow 10 am extraordinary
degree OF wealth and power, 1t Will ultimately
crush the rest, unless they unite TO form pro-
per equiPOise. Moderation and wisdom seldom
or never accompany iength: hence the policy
OF alliances defensive or offensive, or both, &C
cording rs circumstances require.
The fears enter,a usd On account Of n rand
ssi1A HNtFHSG pI power III IL
lar state, the wa.ch!uuess and jealousy winch
this increase inspires, sre in Intensely $ perfect;
~ lustiflabe Every state owes 20 Itself 10 ward
on servitude, To preserve rs independence and
that OF other nations Had this system been
! steadily pursued in regard 20 the House of Bur-
| gundy, Tor instance, or 20 the House of Austria
| the face OF Europe would not have been ch.nt,ei
| oy an accumulation of lnheritanceS in the hands
| ut the respective chef of thase Houses. Are.
the defeat of Frances the first
| threatened all Europe with q common woke
Surely, 40 OF will a. empt TO maintain that a
! nation not directly inroived,in a disDuie with
| SPAN, was preciuded from opposing, merely ON
! grounds OF general safety, and general liberty.
Colossal power, which, like the mighty torrent.
menaced every thing with Proslraton and ruin
! IL IS not with nations as with individuals. I'm
| every particular society, written laws and ma.
gIstratcs exist, topreyent injustice and violence
from the rich against the poor, from the strong
| against the weak. Nations acknowledge no such
| barriers, no such common restraints. ABILITY "a
repei invasion, s the safest guarantee against IL
| Phiiip III. OF Spain conquered Portugal AZ.
Ter tins, he torneei an enterPrize against England
I This, added to his Spanish, FLEMISH Italian. 4
merican and Asatic possessions, would have en-.
a6led him to dictate laws to the rest OF Europe.
Hence, the justice of leagues and alliances against
| ms Slarmu,S pretensions The elements seemed
TO arm themselves for the common liberty of
! Europe The tam us Armada was shattered IN
fragments and 'he fears of the nation subsidized
From ;hls eXpediency, and, indeed, necessity
OF mslnta ming sort of equality and eouilibr;
um between neghboring States, has s,runf.
what is termed The Balance of Folyer-a system
dePloTabiy abused-for men abuse even the best
| systems 10 give leg innate character to
! those Coalitions which profess as the. r object
to prevent the excessive growth and increase Of
particular State, there mus, be real danger +;
nothing can justify The destroying of nation TN
Ger pretence ct regulating its power, and les.
senlng its ascend ercy. Defensive leagues sun
hce at least, offensive alliances ought TO be-
formed only when aggression becomes necessary
| Tor the common safety.
a power superior to all other movers united
against IT, such as that of Alexander in ;be East
OF imperial Rome under Augustus, of Charlie
! maggie afterwards, IS neither desirable nor safe
injustice and violence generally lead 10 It's aooni.
Sl''ohi eNecraoie wars mark with blood the
paths OF ambition and conquest A sudden -
verse, minority, weak rer,n in the rear IF am
energetic one, may shake those colossal masses
-" astonshed at meeting together" and separal p
nations yet unacCastOmed TO a common woke Ia
mutual union Division, confusion. and o,,r.
ehy, inevitably follow. OF this, lis nrv G,rnisb
eS GeP'oraoie evidence. Louis XIV was charged
WIN aspiring to power of this description
| bonapr'e Incurred the same accusation. obv !
ousy with more justice.
! When posterIty, seated on her awful and i'm.
| partial tribunal, shall Judge him and the other
poientaies of the trme, she vii, no doubt fal,a
Retrospective view OF the provocatons nrev,o,,s.
| yofiered to krance.-She VIII not excuse his
restless temper and iDsatiate anbit on-but She
VIII inleTogate the nations of Europe and say 10
them what right had ye to inter1neddle v mn
Tie concerns OF reyolut onary France Whyd
you rritste the young Lion And when. afer
| feeling for years, his strength and his fury. col,
drove him back within bis own limits. when b;s
teeth were blunted and his rage become inno.
1 tent where was the justice OF pursuing further
| your pans OF vengeance, and Of making a war
originally undertaken for Liberation. q war NJ
rum Why impose on great and respectable
nation q CHIEF neither yenerated, nor beloved }
\ wig those rayages, those e9tortions, IN short
those schemes OF abasement and destruction
why this mcckery Of restoration, and this se.rs,
| encouragement Of civil discord and intestine
troubles Why this design Of bringing nearer
TO the great theatre Of action, the man yvborn
you have prescribed as the only cause of all vour
misiortunes and those OF France Was not your
intention OF parttionng that unhsppy eot,ntrv
quite evident !-----Such will be the a, s.n
language of posterity. On Napoleon, sine wi,
pass acknowledgement for his egoGsn, his militia
ny hsiipeihss'oD, bis tyrannisl temper, his