The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1822-12-13
gYNcnB6RG, DECEMBER 10, laea
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

IhI9 interesting uOiullf ist1 "N'H fsA'''
before the people. They are now prepar'
ed to estimate the advantages OF a system
of government which, responsible for all Its
acts. TO the body from which II derives its
power, thus annually exhibits to view an
srpose OF the situation of the country, and
submits plans for IFS improvement. In the
summary language ofMr. Monroe from the
view he has given, !" il appears, that our
commercial differences with France and
Great.Briiain have been placed in train
OF amcabr arrs1 cement, on conditions fair
u honorable, IN both instances, to each par
ty: that our linanoesare ~ avery productive
state, our revenue being nj present fully
competent to all the demands upon II ;
that our military fierce IS well organized
in all its branches, and capable Of render
ing the most important service, IN casc'of
4enrrt tncy. that its number will admiteaf !,
that due progress has been made, under
existing appropriations, in the construction
offortiGcaiions, and in the operations of the
Ordnance Department; that due progress
has, in like nlgnncr, been made in the con
struction 81 ships of war; that our navy is IN
the best condition, felt &respectedin every
SEA in which il is employed for the protec-
ton of our commerce that our manuiac-
lures have augmented in amount, and inn
proved in quality that great progress ehas
been made IN the settlement of accounts,
and in the recovery of the balances due by
individuals; and that tl9 utmost economy
is secured aud observed in every depart
ment of the administration
A desperate effort will be made AZ the
present session OF Congress by n few popu-
iarity-seekers, who will raise a terrible hue
md cry about economy, 10 a-ee our little
. army and navy. But We have confidence
enough IN the good sense of majority Of
that body TO feel satisfied shat these eff
forts Will prove abortse Aud we are
glad 10 see that the President has come out
In plain terms Oh tire Subjective are glad
that he has been before hand with the
self-siylcd Radicals, who instead of amen-
ding radical abuses, wish to dismantle ouy
gallant little navy, and leaseouF commerce
and the lives Of our seameu, defenceless
and unprotected, prey to the monsters
an human shape who iniest the West India
scas-to dishand our army, and permit our
forts TO tumble into rums---in short, 10 re-
french where they should enlarge or ex-
penses, aud permit huge salaries to go UNI
touched, which should be reduced.
We hear good deal from these men n
boat the economy of Mr.. Jellcrson's admin
istraton. But will they contend that Mr.
J. committed no errors? We will refer
them 10 his gunbodi scheme, and ask whc-
Their that project has stood the test of ex-
perience? So far from it, that who
were among its londest .applauders, would
now scout al the idea of re-introducing IT,
Ii was the fashion during Mr.. JcAcrson's
administration, to dccry pavy and stand
ing army as both dangerous 10 the liberties
OF the country. But has nat. experience,
dearly bought, proved the (atility of these
fears, and sanctioned the preservation of
these balwarks of our defence ? It's not
only an idle, ii is fatal policy, TO fly in the
face OF truth, and sanction erroneous sys-
tens, because we yenerate those who plan
med them. We would have this nation al
ways prepared for war, when occasions a
rise which call upon it to unsheath the
sword. We are for no more non-inter-
course aud embargo laws, those teBlporising
expedleats of tmi1ity, when our rights are
frampled on, Aud unless we are prepared
sor the contest, we shall of necessity be
compelled 10 resort to such measures, should
European belligerents again, "ieeling might
ana forgetting right" transcend their phi
vileges, and insult our national honor
president Monroe says, in language not
less forclble than true,--" The history OF
the late wars ipEurope furnishes a com.
fiete demonstration that no system of con-
: duct, however correct in principle, can pro.
tect neutral powers from injury, from any
party that a dtencttess position and dis.
finguished Tore ofpeace, are tie surest iapi
tdtioas 10 ,oar aud that there Is no lrav Il
ssoid ii, other than by being al,eays Jorepar.
sd and pitling for Just cause, 10 meet an
Under the influence OF these opinions, con
nected with the present poieunie situation
of Europe the civil war which RACES from
the Adriatic to the Black Sea the contest
between Spain and'Poriugal and their Cts