Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1817-09-02
improvident measure, but was not entirely

for carrying on the war and par
ticularly for besiegng Qualifications, aud
conquerins Canada the experiment. was
made bat the volunteers would NOT
flock to the standard, as was strangely
imagined and this extraordinary notion
was abandoned without producing the
expected eject. Society sustained great
injury from this unfortunate conception:
yct It's vital energy sustained the shock,
aud already have ls mschieiS become al
most sunk INTO oblivion.
Another "notabie discovery" was wade
by MIR. Madison thai for the successful
prosecution of tllewar, the regular troops
should be limited 10 a small number of
men, ana these shouid be enlisted for
short terms OF service. l'
The effects OF these measures we're
that win a population Of near Ten tailli-
ons OF souls, alfOring the best materials
i3r military enterprises and entirely at
the command OF the government, Dor
derlng upon hostile territory, containing
"A population oi about 800, 900 souls; IN
stead ofan immediate conquest OF sucla
territory, mere border war was inglori-
ous!y carried on for above two Years, mo-
nora bic only 10 the comhatants and up
on the timely and welcome appruach OF
Sraceinl& uumeaninS mode ofwariare, lie
enemy possessed more valuable posts on
the territory ofthe u States bordering on
Canada, than they possessed on the Ca
madam territory. I he extent of the irju-
ry to society, Sustained by these uniortu-
nate conceptions, Is almost incalcuiahle ;,
Yet society was not destroy ed and the
Character OF the measures iniiictIng the
injury Is almost forgotten IN the bless
lngs produced BY an Opporlune peace
Durlng TIE same period, another " nnia
bic discovery" was made by Mr.. Madi-
Son-that whist Great Britain had more
Than an ordinary supply of provis ons at
nome, was possessed of almost all the
ceinmercial capital, and almost all the
vessels of war, aud Of commerce in The
world with free access TO al the ports of
the world, except these of France, and
the United States that nation could be
starved by an embargo upon all vessels
within The Limits OF the Uniled SiateS.-
Accordingly, through his influence, after
having been prcmonIshcd against ii by
The Senate, tl,e''yij and fatal experiment
was made; ]; produced injuries TO socie-
~ bey Tie powers OF calculation, with
out any dlscernible effect upon the
enemy and within a very few months
after the adoption of The measure, it
was, upon his recommendation abandon
ed by Congress, with the same ebe,lient
spirit with wtlchit was originally adopt
ed.
Yet this injury was borne by society,
not however Without reducing many Ia
miles possessed of wealth and atfiuence.
todistress and poverty; and leaving MANY
worthy individuals, equally without re-
.ts al
whelmcd by poverty, and obscured bv re-
trement, To weep over their unmeriie,i
misforIunes, and bitterly 10 hewail the
depiorable effects of the iniudicious tam
perlngs of government, with the occupa-
tons and concerns of private individuals.
Still more dcplorabe effects upon society
may be seen i'll the ambitious schemes,
and lnIudlclous tamperings ofthe British
government. Notwithstanding it has tor
long course of time, been administer
ed by statesmen, so celebrated for wisdom
and love OF country, that we feel tor them
an habltual yenerailou, and can scarcely
be brought 10 trust Tie evidence of on
senses, When the great and manifold en-
rors OF tieu administrations are present
eu 10 oar view; yet II must be AT allied,
that The results OF all these brilliant eli
forts OF wisdom and patriotism have al
!engtn become exhibited to the world.
81 ne picture OF people, divided into
iordiIDSs and pauqerS an army, and
nay. The mIddling class of socie,y
beng now almost obliterated and the
army ana navy substituted in lis stead
These ave pIac 4 in the hands of the lord
iings, Tor the purpose of enforcing their
eXorbliani and unayail,ng demands upon
the laborers, and the paupers.
Tins is the just and Horrible picture OF
the British nation after having been lor
a long time, blessed with so many o.
gantlc, and successful schemes for ex-
tending its glory, and dominion abroad ;
and Tor Improving the condition of soci-
ely at home-Without particularizing any
one measure, tending to produce Tins un
expected catastrophe it may with GER
taniy be ascribed TO a long course OF
measures all tending, some avowedly,
others Imperceptlbly, TO lessen the num-
Der OF productive, and TO increase the
number of unproductiye laborers in the
community and at the same time, TO va
ry the distribution of fhe proceeds Of la
Dor, IN such manner as to take great
proportion Ofthe hard earnings, from the
band OF the productive iaborer; and la
vlshly pour them into the pockets of the
unprOductive labOrer. From this uui-
form course Of policy, long pursued, the
Impositl0ns upon productive labor, have
become too grievous TO be longer borne.
and the vital principle of society has
thereby at length become endangered
If not, irreclaimabiy DESTROYED. This is
the unexpected but real effect of great
aud brilliant schemes OfnaiionaI aggran-
dlzement and power. Ii is hard lot 10
be cast upon the British people Justly
celebrated for their loyalty, their patrio-
'lism, their love Of liberty, their bravery
and above all, their love and practice of
labor. and their inventive powers for the
abrldgment of labor
" n It, -. ,.-