Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1806-11-21


have removed source of rupture with one
or more of the most formidable powers Of
the old world, which could scarcely have
tailed to produce a most expensive war,
nave checked the growth of our country,
created the necessity for great and cppres-
sive taxes, and exposed it, in its infancy,
to pernicious trial of its strength, iniuri-
GUS, it not fatal 10 the republican charac-
ter of our political institutions, and produc-
tive OF serious divisions among ourselves,
which circumstances, so far from cemen-
ting union, would have tended, in no in
considerable degree, to divisision OF these
states.
5. They have reduced the taxes which
they found imposed on the people when
they came into power, by entirely taking
oil those of the most odious character, thus
recommending the government tothc aiFec-
ton, and emitting it to the respect of a free
and Industrious people.
a. They have, in this and other WAYS, re-
duced the host of civil officers thereby de
minishing the public burthens, and the dan
ger OF an extended patronage, and increas-
ing the number reproductive laborcrs
5. They have reduced the national debt
IN i've years nearly twenty millions of dol
lars, thereby manifesting their sacred re-
to funding system; and to this degree re-
iieving the present and filture generations
from burthen imposed by their predcccs-
sors, and, in this degree, diminishing the
necessity for the imposition of taxes on the
people.
q. They have reduced a corps of Judges,
whose uselessness has been evinced by ex-
perlence, thus saving a considerable sum
or money, diminishing executive patronage,
and establishing the great principle that the
duration of the Office OF Judge shall not
continue independently of the will of the
people.
z. They have observed an unsullied faith
with the whole foreign world.
8. They have preserved amity with the
aborigines of the country, and have by acts
OF kindness under the ausnices of an en-
lightened policy amclorated their condti-
ON, and increased their happiness, thus in
spring them with friendship for us.
9. They have in all their acts consulted
the general interests of the whole commu-
nifty by pursuing measures conducive to the
welfare ofall, and by avoiding every mea.
sure OF a local complexion or tendency.
10. For the sake Of harmony they havea
solar as related to the controverted points
OF protecting commerce BY naval establish
ments and commercial treaties with forciea
powers, taken an intermediate course be-
tween doing every thing and doing nothing,
thus initiating tie policy of the patriotic
Washington.
II. Lastly, they have maintained peace,
arduous as the task has been, with the ma
tons OF Europe, without sacrificing an cs-
sentiai interest, or furnishing the purest no.
nor.
Avoiding wider details, we shall make
no further .lpmeration Of measures, all of
which have tended to strengthca and psr-
petuatc the union.
These arc the foundations on which the
colossal popularity and glory of the present
administration rest they are also among
the mighty, and we hope imperishabe foun-
dstions on which the union of these states
depends. Look at their effects. Throw
your eyes over the face of the country, and
behold scene Of the brightest and most
unbroken prosperity that ever befell ma
ton. See liberty, in its best forms, the in
mate of every heart; see industry united
. virtue every where insuring happiness;
see the earth teeming with production,
commerce unfurling her sails in every sea,
and manufactures extending in every town
and village; and finally, behold the chief
OF the government again lifted to honor BIZ
1874 ont of 90 electoral votes.
AIournful is the duty of contrasting the
creed AND conduct of the opponents OF the
administration, or at least that portion of
them who inculcate the probability of an
early dissolution Of the union.
J. They manifest uniform dstrust OF
the duration of the union, and seem to re-
joice in whatever menaces il, thus endca-
voi'ing, by the opinions they inculcate to
excite general disbelief Of its continu-
ance.
@ They treat the existence of repub-
lican government for any considerable
length Of time as the idle vision of Gu;xotic
philosophy.
8. They profess to believe its existence
altogether incomDatible with great extent
of TERRITORY, and under this pretext they
arc the warm opponents of the purchase Of
Louisiana and Florida.
a. They opposed the reduction of taxes,
and the taking of the excise and stamp du-
ties.
5. They opposed the reduction of civil of
ficers.
6. Some Of them ridicule as foolish tho
reduction OF the national debt, ard all Of
them thwart the only efIcctual measures TO
cx,inguish 1t.
7. They opposed, vehemently opposed,
the abolition Of useless judicial Offices.
3. They are tho friends and advocates of
local measures, and of one profession at the
expense Of others.