Alexandria Advertiser And Commercial Intelligencer

To be prepared for war is the way to prevent it. A spirit to resent and the means to punish insult make others cautious how they give it. All this is consistent with a pacific disposition, and the best guarantee of its continuance. Negotiation is not excluded from this system; but then it is that sort of negotiation which can, if necessary, be followed up with a blow. Such a situation gives confidence to a nation which treats for a reparation of injuries; it ensures respect, and tends to prevent the proposal of conditions, which strict honor and strict justice could not bear. But we on "the eve of a war," are tripping off our armour, and breaking down our strong places; our army, as it was called, reduced; our navy laid up to rot; our taxes, which must support these, repealed, and we left without money & without force to meet the uncertain issue of negotiation. What is this but to invite insults and injuries: to hold our cheek to the fist of the smiter, who knows our want of spirit, and want of means. Lord Chesterfield, having kicked a man down stairs, who took it with great patience and good temper, observed, not long after, this same man kicking another. How dare you (says Chesterfield) offer such an insult. Oh, (replies the man) his lordship and I know very well how to kick.