Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1805-11-13

: ly bestowed, to abuse, even in the hand
OF the best and wisest men, that the wei
fare Of Communities requires that is ex
ercisc should be guarded by checks olhel
: than those which are to be found in IN,
breasts OF those who possess it. And o,
the, interests fmen generally supply them
with the strongest motives, it is desirable
that this check should be found in bod y
ct men WHO are Interested in displaciue
those in Office, and themselves assuming
the rsins OF government.
+ Such an opposition may be considered
a national blessing, provided it pursue a
liberal and dignified policy. There AWAY $
VIII be in every community very different
] opinions of the fundamental principle
I which ought to regulate the conduct and
shape the measures OF those in power.
! Those wb. entertain different opinions
tom the administration on these points
cannot be expected TO Justify the systepi Of
hesr measures pursued. But they may be
expected not indiscrimina,ely to denounce
query measure. They may be expected
to maintain the language of dccency; they
may be expelled TO avoid the wan,oa ira
duction OF private characters; they may
be expelled 10 abstain from impeachinr
purity OF motives; and they may be ex-
pecsed, in the warfare they wage, steadily
to hold in view the nature and tendency OF
measures rather than the men who l,ur-
sue them. An opposition, we repeat it,
thus conducted, would be am honorable
opposition, and would most essentially
contribute to the welfare oftheir country.
Ii they did not do much, they would pro-
baby avertthe adoption of some measures
" hich might be injurious; or they would
at any rate either obtain a modification of
them, or insure their honest aad Impair
tial execution. 1t would be eminently to
their vigilance that the head of the exc.
| cutive government would be indebted for
the faithful discharge of duty by it's subor-
diDate agents in the various and remote
| quarters of the uric Their eye, gifted
with microscopic power, would see and
magnify every defeSf, and would thus
pave the way 10 It's correction or removal.
Such AN opposition would likewise be
the best ordeal fer the course of measures
! pursued by the administration. BY max.
ing constant and loud appeal 10 the peo-
pie, vigorous enquiry wonid be excited
and kept Up, the people would not fail 10
examine Tor themselves, 10 Judge for
themselves, and biassed by no hayward
motives, 20 approve or condemn accord
ing TO the dictates OF their judgments
The measures recommended or adopted
| by being contemplated on every side, and
tiom every point OF view, would be dis.
tnctly seen in all their hearings; the cd
minislration itselfwsiild often discover de-
iects not previously perceived; sg.yilc
adherence or enthusiastic devotion 10 sys
TEN would bechecked; and ~ thismcans
i the public good be greaiiy promoted. In
THIS way TOO, according to the theory OF
the most perfect governments, the miro
rIly would come in for share in the adj.
mnistgation of power. The adoption 81
some measures and the Modification 81
Others would be owing 10 their vigilance
wisdom and COUNSEL Sech would be She
prominent effects Of tiriuaus, vigor
Gus, and an enlightened opposition. lie,
me add such were the cdccts Of that vii.
'uous, vigorous and enlightened Opposite
on, which, during the recent period o
PohlIcal spostacy, wagcd $ ,,h error war
iare ct principle, unsurpassed, perhap.
nnequaiied in virtue ana dignity, in The
annals OF the world. VITA the arms al
1Futh and reason, q bald appeal was made
20 the undersiaR5i7ss Of lie people, and
instead OF iuiianiug iher passions, heir
judgments were convinced. Headed by
aJehsfson, Ci,D,oo. a Madison, Cal.
laun, ard other 6isimgrlshed citizens,
The opposition was oondaesed with a mo.
deraton united with vieor which com.
manded success. Les me moi BE- told that
the dignity Of truth ard re purity Of fair
argument were stained by the SANDERS of
q Calender, and oil few other wre,ches,
who skulked in darkness. These men
were mere the objects of censure arnone.
/ those whose cause they espoused, then
among those they denounced. To the
former their writings were felt as cause
Zee humiliation, while the latter exultcd
in them.
Tie effects Of such an opposition, We
have all seen, and we al know. They
have wres'ed republicanism from the en-
braces OF ITS enemies, and have placed il
on ground whose strength deGes the ut.
most power Of its enemies.
Glorious. would it be TO our country.
we're we permitted to stop here; and could
we say here is the model Of an oproyit;.
on, which has been since invariably adoni.
nF 3