Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1802-10-09
REPUBLICANS
PkwMs YLTANxA
80 az Ee0a.g- csliseas!.

{ I
BY the appointment of = respectable
meeting OF the republicans OF the city and
county OF philadclphia, it has become our,
duty, to call your attention 10 the in.por-
ant obIe:ls bf the approaching general
election. Besides making the annual
choice Cor members OF the general assem- /
biz, your SURFACES must be given on that
occasion, to All the high ofice Of Govern
~, and % return Representatives to the |
Legislature Of the ,alion. The rights and !
interests ofthe state, the prosperity of the !
confederation, and, perhaps, the existence +,
ct free government, depend on the sue
cessiul issue OF your exeriions. The po-
Eticai vigilance and irmness OF Pennsyiva-
MIA, hive, indeed, raised her to an emf.
nence, on which She cannot remain with
out honor-~frem which she cannot de-
sceno without Disgrace and thither the
eye OF every American patrio, is, al this
p siod, directed, in anxious hope, that
Where the dawn Of returning Republican
iSm first appeared, the splendor of Il me-
r!dian " Ill nc. be extlnguished CO eolipsed.
II, tellow-citizens. the accomplishment
OF every obje6l, for which you have hither-
70 contended, can turn.sha motive for per-
severance, mart, We entreat you, the au-
spicious change, which . short lapse of
three years has produced in The course of
pSi',lie .raaea ,fao'la. and IN The eoa1i,;en
private life. Il was obvious to every
rejecting mind. during the memorable
struggle for the election of the present We
nerable chief magistrate OF Pennsylvania,
that the affairs OF America had attained a
crisis which involved the direct alternative.
either That the power Of the federal party
must be arrested, CT that oar republican
systems wotdd be ovcrthroWn. BY pro-
gress at once insidious and daring, the
principles and monuments of the reyoluti-
on had been expos d 10 derision me cha
.Tacfer and conduct Of the revolutionary
leaders had been reviled the theory of q
republican government was denounced as
visionary and equiyocal speculation eve
~ plausible expedioni had been tried 10 Cet-
Ter ard controul The Legislative authority,
enlanating immediately from the peoDle I;
and all TAG Instruments of nonarchy, the
influence of patronage, and the glitter OF
parade, were employed 10 strengthen and
adorn the sceptre OF the executive. But
every enterprise against the liberties OF a
nation must have the aid of 2 military
force; and q military force can only he
procured, or maintained by the aid OF mo-
ney' The lawlesx depfedations Commit
teh on our commerce by the pirates and
pflrateers OF France, not only, there
4ore, gave rise to the equipment ola feet,
but, with contemptaous disregard of the
services o. the militia, were, also, made
ff-s-t RI -,
which i was impossible 90 conceive anv
rational use, conneGed with the state of
foreign hosuities while the general in
dignation, instiy excited by the insult of
tered 20 our ambassadors at Paris, and in
Hained by every artifce that ingenuity
could devise, insured Already acouiestence,
N rapid and burthsnscme imposition Of
taxes, to defray the expense ofwarlike pre-
paration. Nor was another, the most cru
81 and effeGtuai stratagem, TO disorcanizc
and SubYeft free government, omitted in
this career Of federal ambition. The par
ty animosifies Of the people were foinent-
ed. The creed of federalis IA, with all its
tendencies, Ggs proclaimed to
be the only means Of political salvation (
anil every citisen, WHO did not implicitly
N~4OPs is Hs-S ~ f2J9-A W pcESSCQLlCil aTil
prescription. Ills chafaeter, his person, |
ard bis house, were alike doomed to insult |
and yioleBce~--and the preparation of the |
injury has been found recommendation |
10 ministerial patronage and favor. The |
republican, arbitrarily excluded |
from . participation in the horors and !
emoluroenls OF public Office, was some !
times nlenaced with the ignominy ofbe- |
'ng g dettvcred 10 an itsp0aing eaeDlt, :" and. |
at other times, unfeelingly told, that &c he !
night er3iect 20 be ground 70 dat and ashes |
~ 5is Indignant coUlIry5Be1." Tales orthe /
grostess fabrication were circulated TO
render him the obje6t of popular suspicion
ln6 haired; and even to snatch from hist
every soiace of social and do
mesGc life. Thus pursued By the zealots
Of party, and unprotected by the hand Of!
power, tbe halls of justice seemed likewise
10 deny him sanctuary lcr, every mi
mister Of justice was federalist TIE of
fcer who prosecuted, the Judges who pre-
,ided, the marshal who summoned the
l,ry, and the jury who tried the cause.
we're all---all federalists Nay, the law il.
self, assumed the form Of a weapon made
for The federslists alone 70 wieId; Nv whose
magic, riots might be converted into re-
5ellior fiattery became The Fast of pol;G