Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1807-01-27
VIRGINIA ARGUS.
X l e ii M . n d :
-
TUESDAY; JANUARY 81, 1907.


has at length commemorate Congress, and
Mr.. John Randolph, Notwithstanding. the
expectations which were entertained OF his
changing his course, appears to be actua-
ted by the same principles which governed
him atthc last session. In the speech which
he delivered on the 9th inst there appears
TO be the same spirit OF inSinuation against
the President OF the United States, and of
accusation of the other members of Con-
gress tor neglect of duty, which was cxhi-
,bited in his eloquent but acrimonious ha-
rangues heretofore. He still contends for
the propriety of the measures proposed by
himse.f during the last winter, insistin,, that
the government at that time ought to have
taken a . manly and decisive attitude to-
:" wards Spain, and instead Of Zen, ink and
paper, to have given Glcn and arms that,
:" ii such had been our policy, not only Spain
" would heve been overxwed, but those do
nestle traitors wonid also have been i'll
Inundated and overewed, whose plans
threaten to be SO dangerous" Would
any man, SAYS he. have dreamt of de-
scending the Mississippi at the head of
" an unprincipied banditti, If New Orleans
/" had been fortified, and strong fortiica-
tions erected in its neighborhood %
To observations and questions ofths kind
She best answer IS, that the propliety of
measures is to be tested by their cwn in
trinsic wisdom, and the state OF affairs al
the time when vheY were adopted, not bv
cven:s which have happened Since, and
Which none but prophet divinely inspired,
Gould have foretold. We Will ask Mr. Ran
dolph, If he could himself have drcamt last
year OF Burr's conspiracy! A project so
wild and chlmerical was not to be expect
ed: and, If we arc always 20 raise troops
4. :
prizes, as occur only once n an age, and
enter into the heads of such extraordi-
nary men as Aaron Burr, and Bonaparte,
the necessary conclusion is, that we ought
% nave q standing army continually kept
on foot in times CT peace. As we still con-
ceive Mr.. Randolph to be an honest repub-
Hcan, although one misled by vanity and pre-
jddiccs, we suppose that he is himself of
opinion that such standing army would
be dangerous to.iiberty, and ought there
fore to be avoided. OF course, as his argu-
ment leads to result, which his own prin-
cples would disapproye, ne must admit that
the argument itself is erroneous.
g What, saws Mr.. Randolph, did we then
"hear Money dollars and cents p
Granted. But was it not wiser and more
economical to endcayov by an Offer ot rea-
sonable price for disputed tertorv, our
title to which Mr.. Randolph himself has
asserted be doubtful. to put IN end 10 the
disrEte, and prevent the unnec ssaIy cifI-
sicn Of human blood which cughS never to
be escorted 10 until all the means of accom-
mediation consistent with orr national rights
and interests have been tried in vain p.
At the time wheE money was voted u nur-
chase the FlOridas, ii could not be predict
cd with any certainty that the negotiation
would fail and, Ut any rate, it was better
10 shew noble example 10 the world # a
sincere attachment in the Representative s
of America, to the interests If their consti-
~tueDts, and of their contempt OF the bloody
code of European honor !-'rhe character
eta duellest, who is ready to fight on every
slight provocation, is not respectable among
individuals, and IS truly horrible and detest-
able among nations. The majority of con-
gress at the time alluded TO, were deter
mined to avoid the imitation of such cha
racter; but it does not fellow that they
were wanting in true bravery, and firm
ness, or that, if they should now be driven
into Il war, their conduct in cndeavoring to
avoid it as, long as possible was therefore
reprehensble,--With many weak and i'll
judging politicians, success is considered as
the only criterion of measures but rational
men Will always be Of q different opinion
III our endcavorS TO avoid war, and the long
train of miselies which are its inseparablC
coucomitants, are finally unsuccessful il
foreign tyrants or domestic traitors will not
: permit us to be at peace it will be a great
advantage to have enjoyed that blessing
hitherto, and 20 reflect that we have postpo.
ned the evil day Of our country as long as
il was in our power.
But MIR. Randolph insinuates, though he
does not directly assert, that the President
has withheld the proper information tor
long from congress, relating TO Bmr's con.
spiracy. Certainly, very good reasons
might be imagined, and, M doubt, will M.
pear to have influenced the President ir
not suddenly making public all the iniorma.
tion which he mad received on that',larf
ard complicated subject. 1t migbt have
been hitherto improper or dangerous t.
kc known the names OF many who were
implicated, until sufficient evidence of thei,
guilt should be procured, or steps take;
to arrest them and TO prevent The success o
their projects. The President has row
made, as VIC have heard, a communicate,
to Congress, IN reply 90 their rcgucet. IT,
which be has furnished full ccouut cf II
matters relating 20 the conspiracy. Ne
thing therefore need be said about any ne
glcct of duty on his part.
As to Mr.. Randolph's accusation arains
all the elder members Of the federal feluii,
"SicejHHy, snoring and dozinPover their t.