Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1804-09-22

| Va hhS ANeSAsh nC lNJSSSS-
! sion OF Office, and sense Of obligation 10
the person who conferred it, will hare AN
Influence even Oh the most virtuous and
Independent minds. 1t may easily be
conceived, therefore, what an accession the
destruction Of the state governments would
make TO the power of the federal execu
tive. Al the same time, the people who
might be dissatisfied with the measures of
administration, and might forebode the
downfall Of liberty, would have no estab-
lished rallying point-ail their associations
would be voluntary and contingent at best
rapid strides TO despotism might be
made before their remonstrances became
general and impressive, and finally ia
voriie maxim wiki some would seem to
receive d confirmation, that republics can-
not exist in a widely extended territory.
But under the federalive plan now in ope-
ration, no great deviations can be made
from the charter of our rights, which will
not be noticed by at least some one of the
legislatures of the seventeen states-Tho'
they have no constitutional power TO aet
yet their mere protest and appeal to the
people OF the u. States, will have an in
Simultaneous and torcibIe effect. This was
seen IN some respect during the unpopu-
lar measures OF the late administr alton -
out 1t was seen more conspicuouSly at the
commencement OF the revolutionary war.
1t has been generally and very truly ob.
served, that the people of any country will
long bear oppression before they will en-
gage IN u serious revolt. TWAS otherwise,
however, with the American people -
and one reason of this undoubtedly was,
that by means Of the colonial assemblies,
popular sentiment was brought into action
more promptly and more Systematically
than 1t could possibly have been, ifno such
bodies had existed. These considerations
clearly eylnce the necessity of striGl and
tenacious adherence 10 our present politi-
cal institutions. If the preservation of the
/ federal union be necessary 10 maintain our
| security at home and our responsibility a.
broad the maintenance of the state So
vereignties is equally necessary To the
permanent enjoyment of personal and 20.
i,tical liberty. Citizens you are The guar.
dams ct your own rights: you are the ul.
innate repositories of your own liberties.
| Watch over them with a Jealous circum.
speciion. Cherish the fedvrative princi
pie. BE watchful that neither ths state
nor the federal government overstep the
limits prescribed by their respective char.
ters. No disposition TO encroach upon the
state authorities has been discovered by
the present administration. They Justly
possess the confidence of the people. But
In series of years, it would be no more
than what may be looked for from human
traI!ly, that In some inconsiderable instan.
ces, the powers belonging to the indvidu-
al states, may be assumed by the federal
government, which though inoffensive in
their immediate operation, may become
plausible precedents for future admin
STATIONS, less honestly disposed, to make
more serious inroads on the rights Of the
several members of the confederacy.
God forbid that should excite a spirit
OF needless jealousy of men in power
feel IT not: and should be sorry to COM
municate it to others. If have any
Jealousy; it is rather of man as such, than
OF any individuals, and it is rather of the
weakness and inadyerience, than Of the
deliberate wickedness of man. Far, very
Tar am | from adopting the detestable and
dsbasng doctrine, that every man is TO
be regarded as villain, and that every
man in power has a propensity 10 serve
himself and to become despot. Have
you not in thousand instances seen self
interest swallowedup by the love of reposc,
by the love Of pleasure, By the love Of fame,
by the fervor of enthusiasm, and by the
genuine, all confronting principles of Re.
ligion! Why then should it be supposed,
that self interest can never bend 10 the love
OF ones country? Yes; It has done so, and
it will do SO again. When you see q man
who from his early youth has been the
finn and enlightened advocate of the cause
OF freedom-when you see man who has
passed with uniform consistency through
almost every department of public fife
a man who as legislator, as a chief ma
gistrate, as diplomatic character, as a
minister of state, has discharged his trust
with the highest honor TO himself, with
the most ardent zeal for his country's good
IA man who when retired 10 private life,
has kept aloof from the struggles Of fact.
on, and man who when called to the bieh.
est honoIs, and invested with the highest
power, which great and free nation is ca.
pable OF estowing-surrounded with ca
lumnlstors and base assassins Of charac-