Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1805-12-07
For the YiSciNs4 ArcUs.
10 re Aember' Of he Legisla,ve Of Vusiniia.


10 re Members Of he Legisla,ure Of pI,sima.
take the liberty through the medium of the
press, OF addressing to you collectively In your
nauonaI character, some few observations on tho
approaching election Of a chief magistrate for our
state; and in making This public appeal to you
snali ofer no apology, because ia doing so, I ex-
ercise only the right of freeman, in common
win my fellow CITIZENS. For this Office there are
many IN nomination; and greater diversity of o.
p'nion prevails 10 It's result than any similar
appointment, since the Foundation of our govern
ment has Witnessed: The friends of each of the
Parties have been ardent and Jealous in their en-
deavors TO serve much hath been said aud ,nub.
nsned on the merits of the respective candidates,
and on the head OF each OF them in their turn Ia
the eTotpn been fixed I, is, nv Fellow citizens.
c,rcun,s a'cc much TO be regretted. that such de
cded opposition betwixr individuals OF the sa me
party possessing alike the principles of republi.
canisri. should hsve shewn itself Iris contest
between republican and republican Some few
years back when real difference of principle and
design supported the distinction which seems now
TO prevail we were divided into National Parties !:
and this was misfortune enough: 1t was lamenr-
ed as great one at the time. by every. good man
OF every party: BuS if the distinction should be
suffered 10 remain, when the difference exists no
longer, the misfortune is much greater because
they who maintain the distinction IN such case.
cease to be aparty. and become fstlion nation
al interests would be no LONGER concerned III least
on one side; they would be sacrificed and made
subservient to personal interests; Virginia as VET
mas witnessed TO schism among her republican
brethren Ter her Representatives then be " are how
they encourage or forent national division TO
divide can never be an expedent for good pur-
poses, any more than 10 corrupt since the peace
and happiness of every nation depend on unicn
-nis:ac et inpcJ G--Turn your eyes for a non,en.
to some OF your sister states, and contemplate
the perncicus, had almost said fatal effects of
this kind of opposion The eleaion of M'Rear,
70 the Pennsylvania chair of government, has
been productive Of the most alarming conseauen.
ces; profit then by tfr> wholesome example, and
let no, the attempt WHICH is made TO influence
yonr choice and eieaion prevail
The republican priaciple of which VIRGINIA
boasts. demands that the deliberate sense other
Legislature should govern them in che election
of those..to whom are entrusted the management
OF our affairs; they should rot be Influenced by
the unqualified oomp!aisarce of men by any nd.
dsn breeze of passion, or by any transien, i'm
rn.se, which they may receive, from the art OF
some men, who often Alter their preiudices in
order 10 betray their interest and benefit them
selves. They should instead of bringing forward
such number of candidates. for an appointment
like this, determine TO seIct from, the SOVEREIGN
~ of the people, one or two characters most ca
pabe of dischafging the duties of 50 importan,
an Office with credit TO themselves and Their
country; men who have aaed for sorle time on
,hc stage Of life; who have the advantage OF
years. and the benefit of experience; and whose
principles have been tested, and cannot be qu.s
toned There is then presented ,oyou from the
mass of your fellow citizens two characters o.
qdally qualified: equally entitled 20 your appro.
baton: Richard Brent and DR.. William Fou
shee: hey are 100 well known TO you all 10 need
coumen.. Mr. d il is said has declared he
csnno, sevvei of this know nothing if how
ever il be 4 fad, trust in God, and Tor The no.
nor of our country, thas the second gentleman
will meet your decided and iirm support He will
honor. am certain, more the appointment, than
the appointment can honor him
CITIZEN ANN coEsTIruENT.