Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1806-12-30

, our country required that foreign i,ations
should see the confidence which we reposa
ed in cur administration. But there is this
other fact worthy of our consideration
that the measures adopted towards those
nations, had not then been acted upon.-
But does any such crisis exist 1t present /?
Are not our affairs in better train than
they were then? Is it necessary always TO
be Whispering into the ear Of the president
that we love him! Let this principle once
20 into general use, and it Will soon lose
all its effect. No man in private life sets
any value upon praises and thanks, which
are lavished without discrimination and
the position is equally true as to any pub
lie officer.
But, sir, consider this as an anti-repub-
lican resolutions, OIL another ground. 1t is
well known that there are certain men in
this country, who have lately dared to diff
fer from the administration. For years,
have not these men been devoted to the ser-
vice OF their country On mere points OF
expediency too has this difference of opini.
on been erected. Shall we then throw cur
whole Legislative weight into the scale oil
those, who may hereafter oppose them be-
fore the people? Shall the legisls. .ures OF
the states put down the congressional mi.
nority; that little Spartan band, whose
motives NO man has dared to suspect! Is
tlns republication !--There was n time,
when the republican party of this country
used to censurc the repeated addresses,
which were lavishcd upon Gca. Washing.
ton and Mr.. Adams. Shall we now then
bet"ay an Inconsistency with these profess
sions Is this the c,osc.woven republica-
nism, of which we used to boast SO much !?
Sir, this sort Of rcpublicanism is too 1imsy
to last for our interests. You may dart a
shickle through 1t. AS for my part, i would
not wear it for lining.
But let US recollect another considerati-
on. There are other men i'll the admins.
tration, besides the Pres;den. oft United
States. One OF these officers has been held
up as a Candidate FOR the next PRESIDENT.
al election. do not say, sir, which l will
support whether it be James Madison OF
James Monroe. But sit not extremely i'm
proper for us to commit ours Ives even in
the most indirect measure on this momen-
tous question; and to declare by implca-
ton, which of these candidates we shall
support Sir, we were not sent here to le-
glslate for the United States. We were
nor delegated to engage in electioneerins
tricks; to say that this man is right and
ought TO be trusted that man is wrong nd
ought 10 be turned out. No, Sir, we were
sent here to lesislate on local concerns.
But let it not be supposed from any thing
have said, that have relinquished my
confidence in the President of the United
States. IN his patriotism, his talents, and
his wisdom reposc an entire confidence.
But whence the necessity of continually
pouring it into his ear! Why attempt to
swell any mans bosom with adulation; lit
tie liable as our present chief magistrate is
to its influence But, Sir, there are other
men too in whom do confidc. We came
here for the general purposes of Legislation
and not to promote elcctioneering tricks (,
And therefore l ain opposed to this rcsolu-
ton.
| know, Sir, I shall be in the minority,
but like the minority of the last winter, |
am proud that it will be a yirtuous one.
To be Contin4ed.