Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1805-02-23
RICH MUND:
SATURDAY. FEBRUARY g. 1905.
To The Editor efthe Ylxgi'.ia Argas.
-" As with hurricane Of zeal transported
" And virtuous cen to madness."-
ADDIsoHs CATO.


ApDIsoNs CATO.
Sir,
WRITER in the Enquirer OF the
istins,an,, announced al exhibition of por-
traits; one Of which he has given US in The
Enquirer ofthe 5;h. From the sentiment
with which the editor Of that paper usher.
ed in The show, was not prepared TO ex-
pcet come Of those strokes oil the brush
which dishgure the first portrait, aud
render either the Judgment or cancor of
the author extremely Probiemalical.-r
T" Whilst we deem the press too sacred,''
said the ed,or, " TO be made the vehicle
"of Personal si1rder or farfy abuse, We
"mns, u. the same time admit that q de-
"cenf criticism upon the character OF pub
sic agents is a sanitary and instructive
;" monitor both TO themselves aud 10 the
people" Alter this, insgine, very
lew persons could have expected to have
seen " the most distinguished member If
"the Virginia legislature" charged, thro'
The press OF the Enquirer, with having so
little regard for his aw lul oath ss dele gate
of Virginia, q, to sake his side" Ike. a
county coart lawyer; TO "coDvcrt the le-
legislative hs!linto ali:igious county COURT"
TO "push all, his eHerg,cs and all his ex-
"pedisuls to the attainment of victory
right or wrong and for the purpose of
carrying some Javcrife point, 10 descend
to the practice of s. soyihisfry," which
"mnds less penetrating than his own, are
able 10 dcscet." AZ the conduct here inn
pu.cd to The member in question, is, not
only inconsistent with the dignity, honor
and purity of a gentleman rat most pal.
pabiy Inconsistent with his oath as a mem
Der Of the legislature Of Virginia. the por-.
trait becomes direet charge OF perjury.
IL is Submitted TO the consideration both
of the author and the editor, whether this
be htrss,ot SANDER or no; ! And now a. 10
party abuse :--I.et it be borne in mind
tha,ths Enonirer is FirgiDian paper; adj
dress d to The people of Virginia and in
| this instance, IN relation 10 a member Of
The Virginia legislature people and a
/ legislature who count it matter Of inst
pride and honor TO be distinguished by
the fervor and purity of their republicans
principles nov mark what has been said
TO fhts heoffe. concerning member of ihis
legislature -" His opponents have also
made II charge against him thar he is
mot altogether pure in his republican
"principirs; that they have received :,
Percepuble obiiquty towards The fedc-
"ral sect that in fsct his political opini-
ons are ready tobe sacrificed at The shrine
of his private interests, and that emo.
such man deserves 10 be trusted" Here
again l submit, it to the author and editor,
whether this be not both Personal Islander.
and taar.y abuse !? II will be poor answer
TO this, Sir, to say that the above quota.
lion contains the charges made against
the gentleman by his POLITICAL opponents.
not charges made by the author !; ard that
the author has even declared that he has
seen no evidence to Justify the charges
Il IS encugh that lie has become the re-
fcr'eS OF personal and political SANDER
which, but tor his rehort, would have Pc
usaed in very small circle in the city of
Richmond. The manner in which he has
expressed his doubts, is iesuitical, i'm the
extreme, and, instead Of cotinteracfipr the
SANDER, is calculated to give il currency
and credit. 1t is just as If This painter Of
portraits should have taken his stand in
the lobby dusiag the session, and, as sorae
member passed through into the bonsc,
should say TO the circle around him, "takc
"not'ce Ut that man--you see he locks
weil--hut some people say he is not ho-
nesI--tiey say he is an arrant swndler---
they even say, that he has been guilty
" oil fDrgery"--and then after French
shrug, should ncid--"I don't know--,hese
I" ARE serious chsrges-I am not much &C.
"qusinted with him, and can't saw thar
"these charges are trus--but from very
respectable information, incline 10 he
" iieve that he isVot altogether the thing"
ask any man What impression be would
take from an harangue like this ask
what impression he would believe the
speaker intended he should take I Now
lark the manner in which the portrait
painter has expressed himself concerning
the charges OF the distinguished members
political opponents. Immediately aftrr
the passage above quoted, he proceeds in
this strain" In considering so very Sc
rious an accusation against so very re-
spectacle character, should be en-
"fremefy averSe to 'counfcnoncing fhfs sus-
ffeion ever in idea, without very saiissac-
tory evidence aud | should fhirlt fb.