The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1804-06-13
COMMUNICATED FOR TIE ENQUIRER.
The Vindication of Virginia.
NO. /.

NO. I.
The political affairs of this country had an
preached great cr6s in the year 1900. The
two parties who had adopted fuch different
modes OF interpreting the contribution, and of
exercihng the powers which were expressly gi-
ven, clearly forefaw that the period of great
triumph or defeat was rapidly advancing. The
election OF the firit magitrate i'll our country was
about to determine whether the federaliits, who
wiihed to itrengthen the federal government BY
4efienng the power of the ftates and liberties of
the people, ihould continue to direct the admit
niftratioD of affairs or whether the republicans,
who viewed with fufpcious vigilance the gra.
dual encroachments of the general government
upon the rights of the ftates or of individuals,
ihould introduce new and more liberal policy
The 9TH of March at length arrived, and Mr.
Jeftcrton was elevated to the high Office of Pre-
iident of the United States.
Conquerors have not always the good for
tune to enjoy their triumph with that graceful
moderation, which foothes the disappointment
and conciiates the efteem even of their oppo-
nents nor are the vanquifhed always able to
preterve that commanding fortitude in the midi
OF their misfortunes, which is fometimes fuffici-
ent to reflett an honor upon defeat itfeif The
JOY ofthe Republicans was certainly as great as
their fears had been violent. When they faw
IN MIR. AdamS's administration the ruin of their
own fchemes, and as they believed the ruin of
their country, they could have felt no common
exultatIon at efcaping from this fyftem to take
refuge under the Republican administration of
MIR. Jeferion. The cordial congratulations to
which this event gave birth, might have natu-
rally flowed from their own elevated feelings, but
they were little fuited 70 the wounded feelings
of the oppoiite party. Tbry faw in thofe fymp-
toms of the public joy, the downfall of their
own fyftem, and the triumphs of an ureene-
rous enemy. Their disappointment was not,
however, 10 great, as to exclude every hope of
railing their fallen fortunes.
They have not defpaired of recovering from the
fame blow which had once threatened the COM
pleat deftru6tion of their opponents. They
have tried every method to weaken the conf
dence of the people in the administration of Mr..
Jetterion. They have fcrupuloufly fitted every
public meafnre IN the vain hope of finding fome
dangerous overnight. They have defended in
to the receffes of his private conduct, with the
expectation of finding thofe faults in the man
which they had in vain attempted to dStect in
the public officer. But all their exertions have
proved abortive. BY attempting to detraef from
the merit ofthe PRECEDENT, they have only drawn
forth more powerful friends to defend him.
Their dehre to thew how much they have
diiliked his administration has ended only
in ihewing him how much he is beloved
by his grateful countrymen. An experience
OF more than three years has evidently de-
monitrated how much he was worthy of the
confidence which the people had repofsd in
him. Scarce Jingle friend has deferted his
caufe ; while numbers of his former enemies
have honourably acknowledged their miftake
by emitting under its banners.
Some of the Federaliits in the northern ftates.
where they have always had the greateft infIu-
ence, have now materially changed their policy.
a deipyste caufe has putthem upon expedents
not lets desperate. Unable to accomplish their
obleds by combining with their brethren in the
iouthern ftates, they have refolved to purfue the
old tyrannical maxim, and conquer by dividing.
Infead of thofe general difinttions which arif.
from different political fyftemS, and which might
equally embrace the fcattered inhabitants of all
the different ftates, they now with to introduce
new fet of interefts, which take their character
from geographical boundaries. Inftead of the
old diftinction of Federalit and Republican,
they are anxious TO bring about northern and
fouthen intereft, a northern & a fouthern party.
The federalifts of the foutherp States are not
turely under many obligations to them, for this
bale defertion of their common caufe. They
cannot but perceive that in this great defire to
provide for their own fatety, they have meanly
coDfented to leave in the hands of their enemy
thofe very allies, who had adhered to them in
70 many itruggles, and had generouny partaken
of all their lofies and defeats.
Yet thefe men have wifhed to make their
countrymen believe that trey fbemjeIzes are not
ofthis new difin9ion that they do
not with to have northern intereR diftinct from
a fouthern one. They pretend that the fouthern
ftates have already formed an intereft of their
own; and that the only attempt which they
are anxious to make, is to thew their unthinking
countrymen, how far this influence extends in
the administration of the general government.
Their zeal to create a divifion of intereft ap-
pears thus to be nothing more than rational
fear, LEFT the northern ftates fhoud be trampled
on by party which the fouthern ftates nave al
ready formed. Jhefe men have appealed
to every PATTON which could aflit the ope-
ration of this fear, in weaving the afFec-
tions of the northern people from the fou-
them inhabitants. They have demanded, whe-
Their their pstriotifin would flffer their country
to renaip under the dominion of the fouth.
They have attempted to excite their jealouiy, by
drawing before them the figure of defpotic ri.
val. The manners of the fouthern people have
been deicribed in colours calculated to provoke
their contempt.
Thefe paiions have been particularly direct
ed againt the fate of Virginia. The hitory of
the American government has been raniack-
ed for proofs of her ielhih fpirt and her
graphing ambition. They have represented
her fons as towards in time of war, and ufurpers
in the period of peace. Her doubts on adopting