Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1802-09-25

Tie Country ana menace TX villa Outrage.
The past Caunot be recalled; the future
mast Be attended 10. Nothing cGn arrest
the mischisvcus career Of our opponents
cut the vigilance and ACTIVITY OF the friends
/ OF III. people, the advocates Of egual
rights. Never since the adoption OF the
Federal constitution was uNIoS among the
friends Of the administration more neces-
sary than at present. Republican energy
! IS now essential 10 preserve what we have
! gained, ana to prevent US from jatiiHg 6ack
to that unhappy state from which, with
herculean efforts, we recently emerged.
! We Want no clearer evidence of the
disaEsction of the leading federalists to
the constitution, than the impassioned de
clama;ion which every. day comes from
their presses against Mr.. Thomas Paine.
The laudable attention paid by our execu-
tive to Mr.. Poine, has called from the fe-
| deralists invectives against the former OF
the mos. rancorous and offensive kind.
| The energy of MIR. Paine's pen, the agen-
cy he had in etfecling separation of the
4" colonies" from the g mother country -
ms adherence of monarchy, aud his man
! ~ and celebrated opposition to it in Eu-
rope, are well known, and he is therefore
/ by the leading federaiists, like every other
: able and intrepid defender OF republican
principles, most heartily despised. Mr..
Jefferson is as much an object of their ha-
tired as Mr. Paine, and for the same reason
because he is inviolably attached to re-
publican institutions.
The treatise written by Mr.. Paine on
theology, is one of the prctexts of the lead
! ing federalists for their opposition to him.
This is simply a mantle under cover of
which the federal editors thunder against
republicanism. Whatever opinions may
be entertained by sincere Christians of the
:" Age Of Reason" however cogent their
reasons may be for reprohating that work
as injurious to the Christian world, vet, as
! sound politicians, as republicans, recog-
niziug the supreme authority, and acting
under the constitution ofthe United States
las friends TO religion in its purity, un-
MKT with civil polity, and unpoIluted by
ambitious statesmen dirreligious priests,
it is commended, on the side OF religion, and
with full conviction of its absolute uti-
lity, that we have nothing TO do with IT,
! As men, acting in our Individual capacity {;
as friends of religion, admiring its pre-
cepts and deeming it essential TO happi-
ness here and beyond this life, we have
undoubtedly right, unalienable in its ma
ture, to think of the " Age OF Reason" as
we please, and TO express our thoughts.
! The church is concerned in exposing its
errors and appealing to Che hearts and con
sciences of men on the beauty, efficacy
and indispensability OF religion; but as a
political 1iAit the na'ior cannot of right en-
qiiEe intU the theological opinions OF any
of its members. Where would a contrary
doctrine lead us? Back to those religious
chickering's. those fanatical conflicts, which,
! springing from motives of fell ambition.
power and ACKNOWLEDGEMENT; wrapped the
world in darkness and misery. Se6tary
would raise his hand against sectary, and
the most powerful party, trampling upon
pure religion and thirsting for uncontroui-
ed dominion, would become the insolent
arbiter ofmens' consciences, and the proud
I oppressor of their frames.
However we may disapprove Of the the
illogical opinions propagatcd by SIr. Paine.
a real Republican, considering himself, and
! speaking Simply as hokacian, could not
vent against him such contemptuous, such
outrageous language as that in which &C.
deral editors indulge. Mr.. Paine has IN
questionably rendered essential services
to the United States-seryices that ought
not to be forgotten, nor never can be, while
the cause in which they were rendered is
revered. He was himself host during
the revolution. His I" Common Sense
J an immortal w0rh--cleared up whatever
doubts were entertained of the instiiiable-
ness, the necessity OF resisting the arbi-
trary measures or the English govern
ment. His periodical production called
the Crisis" was itself an invincible army.
L raised the dropping spirits ofcgsry SOL
der III the American camps, and roused
him to action. Those who witnessed the
! efficacy Of this produ Aion, will readily &C.
knowledge that America owes gratitude to
Mr. Paine, as well as to every other dis
: tinguished advocate Of her rights. But
} these things are sufficient to sink him in
the estimation Of the leading federalists Of
the day.
| In the United States Gazette, printed
! in Philadelphia, which we received yester.
day, are the following passages:
! Taking It for granted, as assertedby Ne.
! Coleman, that the President paid Callen-
der FOR writing the Prospect Before lis,
J Bronson, the editor. SAYS