Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1804-06-13

"'NuSil W WceNE.l THIS NiSC and valuable
ckec!; upon iedcAal encroachment. Lap.
pFehend that you would ish the People
| To believe, that this will be achieved By
yourcom6imdfion o large states. This bug
bear is simply the renewal of AN old tory
complaint; ii has been laid az the door of
Pennsylvania, New York and Virginia
long since, and with just as much seem.
ing piauslbiIlty as you can possibly bring
1t upon the tGfiis now. For if the large
states have al present the means of con-
tedera,iag 10 the injury Of the small states,
(Which is Positively deuied,) that means of
combination existed as extensively before
the recommendation of the proposed e.
mendment to the constitution, as it now
does. III any cause of jealousy exists i'm
the union, 1t is on the part of the large
states; since Delaware, is as influential
IN the national senate, which controls
some of our mostimportantp political move
ments, as Massachusetts. Weld to this
concession, however, because it evinces a
liberal policy, and proves unquesiionabIy
that the large states never have aimed al
This salu,ary alteration in the constitu. !
ton will not only secure TO the maiority.s
the President of their choice, but it will !
also secure Vice-President Of consenta.
neous political sentiments; an Object of |
great Importance in case of the death oil |
The former. Without it, the result might
be otherwise, as has been seen in the e.
lection OF MIR. Jefferson 10 the office of
Nice-President. 1t never was yet the
case, that some particular character was
not preferred for the chief magistracy
and yet this preference might always be
counteracted under the constitution as il
formerly stood. For instance, the repub.
licans throughout the union, as usual, vote
tor two citizens. decidedly giving the pre-
terence to one OF them. The number of
federal electors may not exceed twenty,
or eVen TEN. These ten, bent upon per-
picking and countera6ling the public will,
bestow their votes upon the person con-
templated as Vice. President, and thus
completely countera6t ard annihilate the
will Of the ma iority. Will YOU, sir, so
far disgrace your political reputation, as |
to deny that this evil required a prompt
and decisive remedy? Far more is it to be |
dreaded, than the igniS.J atuus which YOU
have unluckily conjured up. TO lead you !
through the miss Of error and delusion. !
Il is with reluctance, sir, tina, take up
opinions uniavorable to our revolutionary I.
heroes. would not for small consider a- |
tons doubt them. You have thrown the !
gauntlet, by questioning the motives of
patriots, who are at least your ccmpeers, /
and who, from the responsibility of their |
actions and numbers, must be 6eEeved.-
The legislature of your state has pronounce
ed a solemn verdict against the correct.
ness of your political opinions; the voice.
OF the NATION has inlerposed to shield a
patriotic majority from the envious blow
which you aim at their reputation and if, |
sir, the glory of your former career is o.
overwhelmed by Needless alterations from
The course of patriotism, or errors less We
NAL. you will recollect that you did not fall |
by the hand of
-s BRUTUS.
Richmond lime lO,b 1ocd