Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1805-06-05
Cl2 l-o Gems Single.l

SH4ft uS. suoSNtutSu, e''u W NHdt S-s-cist y
lsamsnary recovery of debts before inferior
I tribunals, shall be carried, are questions,
at presenb agita;ed with deep interest in
several ofthc states. In;Eese discussions
wedo not iindcommuni,iesd divided accord-
ing to the pre-existing POLITICAL parties but
according to the prevalence ofpoiaiai inte-
rests, or according TO honest convictions
on particular points.
Let the whole ground of legislation be-
gone over and the same contrariely of ide-
as will be apparent.
I 1t is not to be inferred from this btate
i OF things that discosd RACES among the Sc
veral states, or that their friendship is the
less sincere from their various opinions
and laws. On the contrary there never.
I was period in Which sincerer aniity
subsisted among them. There is not a
\ single suhsls.ing cause OF serious differ
ence, or from which any danger is TO be
apPrehended to public peace. The poets
triumph, "thal al ature'ssdifference is
all natures peace" Inay be applied to
them with absolute precision. Each,
moving in its distinct sphere, governs it,
sell 10 the manner most congeniait TO its ma
ture, without hazarding The goodwill, or
tearing the iil-wilI Gifts neis hbor; and ali,
when the public good requires uniforms
~ or measures, unite together and move.
in one common track. Can there be ina
gined a more sublime spectacle! Seven
teen distinct, yet united communities, all
prosperous and peaceful Under the gene
val principles of free governments, enga-
ged IN the constant occupations ofimprov-
ing their political system, by the intro
dactioa of salutary amendments into their
constitutions, or by the eInelioration Of
their laws, making the public welfare the
pelar-star oftheir course, aud moving with !,
perfect harmony, presents the proudcsr
spectacle the world has ever beheid. The
iustre OF crowns, the blaze of courts. and
the pomp of military parade, compared
with such scene, sink into mere NAV
things. The faith Of the republican a its
contemplation, rises with an holy ardor ia
an emnence that enables him 10 look.
down with mingled pity and contempt, on
the overgrown children who, in the old
world, IN the shape ofempcro.s, and kings,
and lords, play such fantastic tricks as
makes high heaven ashamed.
IN the next place, it may be Affirm
ed that genuine republicanism does nor
consist IN an attachment 10 particular men.
IL there be distinctive trait offepubIica-
nism, more marked than all the q. here. II
IS devotion 10 principle as opposed 10
I Devotion to men. Il is The creed Of ttue
| republican that principles never change.
whNe men Tor the most part do. While.
thsrefare, he pins his faith 90 the sleeve
OF no man, however good or great, ne
T cnnss 10 correct principles; and instead
OF .csuhg measures by men, he tests n,eu
py measures. He, therefore, may be )
genuine republican who approves the
measures Which | as legislator plan, who.
were ne 10 exercise the privilege of voting.
would give his suffrage to another instead
OF me- a thousand considerations NAV
create IN his mind preference for ano-
'ner' Notwithstanding my Faithful Dis
charge iduty. may do well; bu, ano-
lner might, in his estimation, do better.
may be equal to the discharge Of the ore;-
nary duties which have been devol,ed 49,.
on me in common times; bur he -.
thlnK me incompetent 10 discharoe az.
high aud perilous duties which Ga, :,
some iu'are period be attached 70 ms sta.
t,on' And, independent Of all these consj-
uerstlohs, ne may be sincerely OF opinion
that the public welfare demands rotation
~ the organs Of public authority. Un.
~. ny ms restraint, my very virtues
ana talents may bscome objects of alarm.
such two are the elements of human ma
turei that personal friendship will urere n.
claims even 10 public concerns. One mar
inthe hundred may iii his mindabove tbis
common ira'Ity, but grea, majority will
perhaps never cease to feel lis Influence
And as II cannot fall 20 the lot ofonc man
to enjoy the personal fSiendship Ola whole
nation, we ought not TO be surprised stIhe
operation Of this motive, either in saisino
new candidates Tor Office, or in derress;ns.
the pre'epsiens Of existing ones.
we arc sensible that in discussing hi.
( topic. we are involving ourselves e, -
marks peculiarly delicate. We are a,yare
That there exists common enasn,v. wbo.
amidst me divisions Of republican,. viii
not ia'l' ~henever the op2sstuaitv oeers'
20 t''n the scale Of political power. for Tho
p.on'oeoa OF us own interests, aad to tho
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