Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1804-09-26

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He took his scat, apparently regard
I less of the hostility that surrounded him.
I His principles were more the offspring Of
temporising or a timid policy. The
path of duty lay plainly exposed to his
view; and his purpose was 10 pursue it.
Without, therefore, making any unneces-
sary and osteniatjous professions of his
faith, or inYidlous reflections upon lhe pro-
lessions of Others, he delivered his opini-
ons with simplicity and candrr that dis
armed hostility; While the strength Of his
arguments, and the variety and apposite-
ness Of his informant jnsensibly and ir-
resistbly produced 4 general convictions
An empty treasury, and dilapidaeed state
Of the finances, required research and La
Dor. He applied himseiIto their elucida-
ton, with Mgor that soon dlSsipatcd the
chaos in which deiau.ting officer had in
VOWED them. Political attachment had IL
nited him 10 this officer. But with virtue,
not unworthy of the Roman school, he
impeached, and elected him from Office.
For this, there were those who called him
cruel; but friendship had no claims on
him that were not founded in virtue.
After this bright display OF Integrity and
talent, his enemies united with his friends
to raise him TO the Serate of the United
States; exhibiting in This act, are, and
almost ain nprecedenlsd triumph of prin-
ciple over prejudice. Here he found him.
self in the strong holds OF federalism.-
That body, at that lime concealed in dark
ness, had asserted d daring Responsible
~ TO public opinion. Ga!latin, impressed
with the power oF truth and reason, did
not abandon himself to an iugloi'ous ease.
Here too, how ever unpromising the state
a affairs, he did his duty, aud IL Isie shore
time, during hiCh he was member, car
ried dismayinto The rauksct his opponents.
lie did not shake the leaders OF party, but
he shook those honest, easy souls, who had
hitherto upheld their power; and he sur
prised no less his friends than his enemies
by actually cawy iug sonaeimpor points.
1t was this alarm that dictated his eXclusi-
on from Ike body Il vas pretended tnat
he was not qualified 10 hold q seat : Ioa-
iority declared he prelence valid and lie
was excluded.
These unworthy measures OF bis opno-
nehts only served, By rendering his talents
more conspicuous, to increase his popu!a-
rity: and he was az The ensuing election
chosen member OF the house OF repre-
sentatiyes of the United States. He here
found field for the display OF al his pow
ers; and he displayed them in manner
that placed their depth and variety beycnd
the reach Of question. lie opposed the
adoption of the Blitlsf. treaty and upheld
the memorable call for papers: lie oppos-
cd the alien and sedtIon bills he support
h., - g.
dams in the case Of Jonathan Robbins he
opposed the prodigal expenditures Of the
government; and above all, he opposed
The SoSh measures that pointed To War.--
On these several occasions, he was GCne-
rally unsuccessful III frustrating the mea-
sures proposed by the administrations
The most sanguiuc mind could not Batter
itself with this triumph. But, VI hat was
OF infinitely greater consequence, he sue
ceeded in awakening the public mind, IN
illuminating it, and in eventually accom-
pliahing the great revolution achieved i'm
public opinion. His speeches on the 40
bOye great constitutional questions were
read by the nation. In diclI0n they were
perspIcu0us and easy Of apprehension. in
Style temperate and exempt from all per-
sonal aliusion, in argument profound, in
laGt various and instructive. Attacked
with fury by violent parusans eager TO
crush him, he on 10 occasion, su cred the
calmness Of his Judgment and bio respect
for the body ne addressed TO be disturbed
by the fiery abulliuons Of the Davtous, The
Harpcrs, and tie Scdgwicks cl the Cay.
lie did not content hims III with opposing
the leading measures 81 the admrsira-
ton ike good citizen he gave help.
ing hand even TO his enemies. No man
in congress so well understood the prin-
ciples Of financc, and no one WIS better
acquainted with the rational resource. and
wants IN I'll their details. lie assisted the
formation Of correct plans, and exrosed
errors whose cEectg might have BEEN no
less injurious 20 The reputation of The all
nin.slaion than la,3. 10 Tie w,l.sic of
bis county. 10 han We are indlb,ed Tor
The cHis,iug system Tor the sale Of public
lands. Secretary Hamilton pyopo- cd %
pening lhe land Office OH low terms. It
is believed his idea was TO sell thc pubic
lands ut IS cents an acre. The cG q Of