Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1805-10-30
From the .Vafionai Llteligencer.
DIALOGUE BETWEEN FRANKLIN and
WdSHINGTON

hGaHr- What makes you, my friend. so
Washington. The events now passing in that
scene IN which we .stcly bore part. When
behold the nstrument given to vir,uc far i,s de.
fence drawn in the cause Of vice, and see the
blood OF the innocent flowing in so copious
stream, nv mind is filed with gloomy thoughts
and an almost tempted to question the wis.
dom OF that Providence that presides over the
affairs of u,en.
r. II is gloomy picture. and an, not sur.
pr.sed at its eiieets on your feelings. True he
roisTn and beneiicerce are ever pacihc and whe.
Their these sentiments animate the PHILOSOPHER
in lis eoset, or the general at the head of his
army, their power is equally Irresistible, & their
eseds the same. Bur civil tyranny and r.iigi.
Gus bigotry are the deadiest scourges of the hu-
man race. Kings are always tyrarts, and So.
perssi,ion their iwariabie supports Aridst,
however, the rage OF the passions, do you not
contemplate with satisfaction yonder spot, in
which animation reigns withouE warfare, and
where the happiness of no man il built ur,on the
misery OF a brother.
w. Yes, my heart derives its life blood from
contemplating the scene. That was once our
country. II Is s'iYny ccunf-1. MY eve dweus
on II by day, and dream ct il !, night You
know that while living its glory was cur idol;
and now call heaven TO witness It's hapoinsss
IS the most precious ingredient of my enjoyment.
franklin, Il is 10 you, more than to any other
that America owes the acquisition, and sui
more, the preservation of her glory
+. Say NC SO Your sword cut the y,rd;,o
knot OF slavery. Your sword atchiyed---
w W.si you planned.
r. Generous soul +! Let us share the n,er;,
not to the exclusion Oh many others of our rouu
trymen, but with them. IL is true thar long Inc
lore the era OF her independence thonghr. deco
iy thought thar the acorn must become a. oak
saw The soil was kindly perceived thar the
seed was sown, thar II had taken roof. and ali
that 1 Feared was thar some unreleeins mortal
wsuid disturb the earth too seon. and exringush
its terminating power. Great works ren,,;re
time, ana was afraid thar I'M enpcr.nce br de-.
nyins this necessary helpmate would blast the
fair prospect OF goot harvest. But our coun
trymenproved wise they waited till the proper
season they made their choice and thar vaIor
~on she day They alone are free. and ,hev
only are happy.
W. but viii they remain So. i refiea ON
their present enviabie situation un,i INV. brain
aimost grows siddy with delight; but often
start as from trance and ask myself whether
The ne,.r moment they may NOT ,nk a. lou :.
those thar surround them
Z. No, that can never be, America can revey
tall to the degradation of Europe though I'm.
rcpe mag and will rise 10 her leyel.
let there are the same bsneful pzss;ona
the same sorsiid interests, the same amh;,;,w,
men there AZ elsewhere
r. Tue, but there is no whsse else the same
people '" :
W There are men who avow their hosti.
iity 10 republican principles.
=. Bn, the people scorn Them.
w There are the advocates of wa, ,nd
carnage anu
E. Whom the people look upon as nadnen
or knayes. y
W. There is host Of men who caIumn;a,e
the iairesr characters and the greatest men.
+. The sdamant Of whose fame blunr. the
arrows OF SANDER, which fall pain,less to r.,
ground.
w. These wrctehes dare to enlist NV name
INTO tasir service as if were nor genuine re.
puohean' ans the decided friend CT a pacific
course, or as IT could ever debase myself hv
sanesioning the arccious falsehoods which nar.
~ malice alone could propagate.
This ehTontery has often grjeved me 60,
feel as Jealous otyour reputatios as OF my own
But caiuinny, even against ms self has lonp since
ceased 10 trouble me- i lived 20 good ola a,.
During the whole of my life my creates, anbi.
lion was 10 be useful TO my fellow men And r
may bo'cly say that never did public az no,
oiua'eo ~ vlrtnous rsosive. Still IL is equally
rue mat neither did, or attempted, any thing
-. t'"fS'tN"~~ tcf NNON was not tra0nccd
Calumny is the natural ogsprine of rneannsss
envy and disappointment IL is through ;,q ,,ol'
luied channel that blasted ambition orYzres =.
revenge. Though not insensibe to The com orf,
OF lite. God knows that SET lit,le value on AZ.
ansnce' And yer have been charged with ne. |
cnlsSion. -
w And infamy has covered those who made
the charge.
F. And infamy will cover those whose en-.
senomed pens are now busy IN tYaducip0 the /
most ilus'rious characters Jefferson, who was |
-radled in liberty. will live to see his eaumnia
iors covered with universal contemps.
w. That man has risen beyond nv hieheu
hopes. And what is more, were il possible 70 !
.ssign him higher station, he richly deserves il, |
Happy the country that has such chief na9;s. /
rate, and still happier the nation thar Is worthy
IF him.
r. The American horizon IS not al,cTe,her !
without cloudss and the present sunshine NAV I
lot be without intermissions. Bwiakc my word /
or u, this man, whom / sometimes, perhsps l
'ainiJ' take pleasure in considering as nv pun,l.
vii long be friend in every peril. Power has /
lot corrupted, nor can ]; corrupt him. Its only /!
Aeetisto animate and expand his native Sene-
'olencei 10 make him nlo,c active, and the in.
,rnment OF more extensive pod to his fellow.
nen.
w. Yes. his charader shines with nuye
nd steady iustrc He has yv<,,n:..a -.