Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1807-02-03


dress to the President of the United States,
requesting him to consent again to be put
IN nomination as Il candidate for that of
flee. That address passed the House Of
Delegates, (Ayes 102-Noes 63,) but was
rejected by the Senate, FIVE members vot-
in its favor, * fifteen against it. And here,
with the same candor we have hitherto
displayed, it is proper to declare our COM
plete disapprobation ofthe measure i'll ques-
ton ; altho' we doubt not the purity and
patriotism of the motives of the gentlemen
who voted for it. We are certain that the
mean and servile intention of fattery did
not influence their conduct upon this occa-
sion, but they sincerely believed that Tho
mas Jefferson was the only person in whom
they could confde to administer the go
vernment in the present situation of our
national affairs. But this belief of theirs,
in our humble opinion, is erroneous
The great and exalted merit of Mr.. JEFF
ferson has always received the just tribute
Of our admiration and applause. We have
always with zeal and sincerity advocated
and defended the measures of his admins
tration because in no instance have we
known him to deviate from the principles
OF true republicanism, or from q course of
policy conducive to the good of his country.
But we never can consent to depreCiate all
the other worthless of America, by declar-
ing him the only man whose qualifications
entitle him to be placed at the head of the
nation. A declaration Of this sort is de-
grading to our country, to the enlightened
Inhabitants of that land which produced
Jefferson, a Franklin, and 4 Washington,
and we trust will exhibit to the world ma
ny other Washingtons, Franklins and JEFF
Persons. In the tlourishing times of ancient
Greece and Rome, so long as their repuh-
lican institutions remained unimpaired,
continual series of great men appeared to
conduct their public affairs with glory. In
Athens, Aristidcs and Themistocles sue
ceeded Miltiades, and were themselves fol-
lowed by Cimon and Pericles. At Rome,
when the renowned Marcellus was slain,
and Hannibal threatened her gates, the
youthful Scipio arose to repel the danger
and extend her empire to the height, which
it never before had attained. When he
retired to private life, another Scipio, as
successful as his predecessor, shone in the
path which he had pursued. Now, since
II is acknowledged that the federal repub-
lie of the United States is founded on purer
principles than ever prevailed in Rome or
Greece that here no invidious distinctions
Of Patrician or Plebeian exist among the
people, but all alike are authorised to seek,
and attain, if they deserve them, the high
est Offices; why may we not hope that a
series OF patriots, heroes and statesmen, e.
quail, it not superior, tothose who appeared
in ancient times, may arise in America /?
What lamentable cause can induce us to
fear that only one statesman capable of
administering the government can now be
found among rs P If no person worthy of
being compared with Jefferson in all his
great qualities can be pointed cut if no
one resembles him exactly in variety of
literary acquire ments; in genius and capa-
city tor managing the most difficult and com
plicated aif.irs; in profound wisdom and
prudence ; III moderation happily blended
with hrmness; in attachment to the rights
OF man, and thorough acquaintance with
the best means of preserving them in dis
intcreStedness and love of true glory vet
there are many, who possess a sufficient
portion of his spirit, to enable them, with
the aid of his example, to tread in his steps,
and conduct our public affairs as well as he
has done before them. For our part, we be-
lieve that the difference in talents between
him and Madison or Monroe, or MANY o.
Their enlightened citizens who might be
mentioned, is not so great, but that a selec-
ton might easily be made from among
them, of some individual well qualified to
DC SuCJISoOT. DUH a CltlZGn may sure
ly Oe chosen by the people, who, animated
with the love of his country; and of repub-
ican government. may continue the happy
system of administration, which Jefferson
introduced and established.
If it be said that this IS doubtful, and
that u * will be run in making the choice
OF another, which would not be encounter
ed IN re-clecting the man whose virtues
and talents have been fully tried, it should
be observed that this is a danger Which ne
cessarily attends every change OF the kind.
but ought not to prevent it, when considera-
tons OF greater moment REQUIRE us TO mako
IT. Let 1t be rrcoIlected that, in a Tepub-
hcan government, the spirit of emulation
should be cherished, for the purpose of Drr-
ducing great men, and keeping alive race |
OF those excellent characters, on whom the !
destiDies of nations always depeud. The
land OF freedom should not be content with |
having one great man only, in whom all |
virtues are concentrated, and to whom the /
fenown OF all others should be sacrificed. !
but should place its own glory in the num-
Der OF its enlightened and patriotic chill
dren. In proportion as the chance of sur
eeeding to the highest Offices i'm the state ;s
diminished, the noble spirit Of emulation is
Checkea, and the citizens are DISCOURAGED
from the laborlous task Of rendering them.
selves worthy Of fllirs those Offices The
more me practice prevails of keeping one
person Tor many years in the presidency.
snS IesS Is the prospect of any particular