Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1856-05-23
PRISATEERISG.

! No.binu eyinces so clearly the disposilion VI
,p-o,cs and England to involve US in war; as their
attempt to incorporate in the laws OF nations prom
b;,;,n Of privateering. They know that our great
o,ra- no q v.rlike nation consists in the readiness
- or ,s,ple TO volunteer by land or by sea IN de-
fsocs of their country. They know, moreover 'aa'
such volunteers at least in defensive war are noie
permanently efficient and reliable, than ei Tue s'"iu
:n- srmies in the world. America, Without 'e'e To-
sources, would be Samson shorn OF MS sTeps'n.-
With Them though vulnerable, she IS YET n'ihcto'e'
The immense cost Of navies and standing atm'es,e'
fectuay deprves people Of liberty no matter "''a'
their form of government. The laberlng maSses
having to support the government, to support the
larch 10 support the rich aud professional, anu 10
psr enormous poor rates, with their numbers re-
duced by enlistment into the army and navy, ana
sIs;. burdens increased, by the support OF that army
al navy and all the costly material of war, must o.
necessity be overworked and uuderfed. That ia the
condition of la5orers throughout Europe. II no,
slavery, it is thousand times worse than slavery
Compel America TO keep up. in time Of peace, large
navy and army and her liberties would be more GER
tsuly destroyed than if subjected 10 despot. That
despot might govern well, and guard, instead OF de-
stroyinz liberty. His existence does nos necessarily
destroy practical liberty. The existence ot large ar
mic. and Ravies matter how employed, doss, VI IT.
self e1usuish liberty with the masses for they are
thereafter compelled, in order to exc out su0eo'
teuce scantier than that Of slaves to work longer
hours than slaves. The volunteer system OF Amer
tea is her highest honor. Itis the evidence and the
result Of her liberty. That gono, and the bal
ancs of her institutions empty useless, unmeau-
ing forms. We earnestly desire TO preserve peace
fuI relations with France and England, but we
greatly fear that it is foregope conclusion with
them to foros us into In long war we
are an oyer.rna.ch for both nations They would
do ne much injury at first; but each wound they IN
ficted would increase our strength and render US less
vulnerable for the future With the destruction oour
seaboard cities, the opportunities to injure us would
ces.e. They dare not march into the INTERIOR Tor i
furnishes from its sparse population no means to sui
sst large armies, and small ones would 6e at once cut
Of Wher we we're but handful, such attempts BY
Burgoyne auS CORVALLIS, met such signal defeat es
10 deter from their repetition A few years OF war
would destroy or cripple the regular troops aud ma
vies of France and England, AMI many years would
be required TO replace them. WIKI them all pertain
inp 20 wa. il artificial and OF tedious production ana
manufacture. Ne are military because, free peo-
pie 70 US the pu:s1t OF arms is natural. The war
would make US all soldiers, cripple or destroy our
navy and army. We would. a. great cost OF blood !
and treasure take Canada: probably revoluon'se
Ireland and great part Of Continental Europe; cut
~ sud destroy in great measure, the commerce OF
England and starve the millions dependant on the
manufacture of cotton. ln checking tho extrava'
canoe aud luxury Of our people, and in making us
more sslf reliant, the would have an admirable
effect Bat who can calculate the length OF such
war; and The amount of human suffering and misery
il would entail Let US then avoid i, by all honora
ls oceans, but make no concessions that will impair
our strength or our reputation. 1t is the govern
1nan:s, net the people Of France and England that
les,e war. The instructive common sense Of the
people throughout Western Europe, teaches them
that sr with America is cure to them. 1t shuts
them out from al asylum for excessive popua
,;on II GUS OF their supply OF cheap food and cloth
ny and dcbars them iroE the beat market for their
.uan,!seture. wist Increases thsir taxes. If war
Sc deferred and public opinion have time to operate
au governments, peace may continue. But We should
be prepared for either alternative.