Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1804-05-02

consider the consular as incomparably
preferable TO the regal government tho
we should have still wished and still hope
Tor the establishment of government
more truly representative.
Measures 10 establish representative
system we should have considered iustifi-
able; ard even a conspiracy To remove
every man and every lhing that iostered
or sustained "a despo'ic authority in con-
tempt ct the national suffrage, We should
esteem not barely proper, but glorious to
those who should SO conspire.
10 the consular power, the objections
as to Its origin ould equally bear against
the monarchy for we are not among
those that suppose that the long tolcra,ion
or existence of error is IA good argument
Tor ITS perpetuaiion. A revolt against The
authority of the consular government
Therefore could only be justified at a sea-
son when the safety of the nation could not
be endangered by the effort, unless its
measures were OF nature so detes,ed
and lntolerable as TO render choice of e.
Wis IN favor of the CONFUSION at such
period.
1t does not appear, from any evidence
which the most adverse to the consular
authority has produced that the happi.
ness OF glory of France was neglected..
-On the contrary there is evidence the
most Incontestible OF the salutary operati-
on OF that government in establishing the
security individual property, the ameli-
Grafton oflaws, and the conservation of all
the interests domestic and foreign of that
vast nation, in manner and with a sue
cess unexampled in any other nation of
| Europe.
| The motives for disturbing such state
OF things should bevery cogent, they should
be imperious!
! What then were the motives which
could induce to conspiracy at the present
time?
| We make no doubt that there will he
found many answers to such question,
and that there may be very specious an
swers given to it.
| We may be told, and the British prints
already tell us that Bonapalte was an H.
surper-and that upen an old principle of
republicans, rebellion against tyr0nts is o.
6edience TO God.
L hat Noreau was as great general and
a better man than Bonapar,e.
| And various other similar arguments.
But the first of these answers we conceive
would be equally. if not more dire Civ and
justly applicable to the kings of Europe-
an countries for their titles any more
than that of the chief consul are not held
by the voluntary suffrage of those over
whom they rule; ard their rule upon a
comparison with that of France-would
leave no room to Justify them in prefer.
encc at least.
| AS to the character of Noreau, to thar
we are disposed to allow all the glory thar
is due TO his valor, to his military skill
and to the services rendered his country
we shall go farther, we shall suppose
his talents, services, and qualifications e.
quail to Bonaparte's-The question still
recurs-whst were the motives to a com.
spiracy at this time?
Was it the insuferable oppression of
the consular authority? No-was is it the
misery of the French people No! thew
were never so happy.
Was it any ACT of wrong or Injustice
done to the particular characters involved
IN the conspiracy No.
Moreau certainly had just right to
dlsapprove Of the consular government
| II Moreau was a republican.
Moreau had right and was iustifable
in refusing a station in the legion of no.
nor-it he was republican.
Moreau had right. and acted in man
: iy and honorable way, if his refusals of a
prefecture and high military command.
and of an embassy to Constantinople or to-
Russia were dictated by republican re-
I pugnance.
If ali this department of Moreau arose
from the UtrfuoRS emotions Of patriotism
ard love of the rights Of alan-then cer-
family so FAR as his motives were involved.
they were good, nay great and glorious,
ana had he in pursuance Of them carried.
IKE Brutus, his avengng hand to the boz
som OF him whom he thought the only OBJ
s;acle to the liberty of his country, he
would have obtained and merited the
most distinguished place in modern his
tory.
But leaving every idea OF a personal lea
lousy or ofthat ambition for pre-. eminence
which is so copgenial with the passions
OF mankind, and so peculiar to military
characlcrs-Iet us believe that no snch
ambition, no such ieaiouSv no e,,rb r;,,,I