Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1807-12-25
From the Washington Exsosl4oR,


From the UdShingi2n EXPOS IT0R.
The following ESSAY, having been hand
ed to the Editor of the E%positor Cor pub
LEGATION, he feels il his duty TO lay it before
the public not, because he feels any in
tcrest partial toany one of the gentlemen
named by its author, as for every enc OF
them he entertains the Sncerest respect;
the profoundest veneration. But because
ON so important subject, the public mind
-canno, be too much iilumined, he there
fore invites, nay so!icts the opinions ofthe
friends of the different candidates, pTomi-
sing to refuse t. none insertion, who shall
treat their respective claims, with the
deCency and deiicacy, which the pubic
services, Of the distinguished patriots ma
med by Amsrlclnus, SO emOhatcaliy de-
mand. The Editor of the Expositor be-
lieves this TO be the most correct course
for him to pursue, and he sincerely con-
graduates his feiIow-citizens, that at so &C.
vent;ul period, no man is even tn1't of
to fill the important Offices of President
and vice President, bui such as have in
variably exhibited the strongest proofs of
attachment II our constitution, adherence
20 our national rights and mind sufficient
" dignihed, TO support the credit of the
chair of Jefferson Of patriotism so deter
mined as willingly to accept of that situa-
ton, be il ever so subordinate, which
public opinion may determine most pro-
ductive or national advantage ;-ot repub
liCanism so genu ne, that rather than di-
vide the republican interest, each candi-
date would withdraw from public life,
contented with the choice of the nation,
and anxious alone to give every aid TO MS
country, which his situation, his services,
and his talents would enable him 70 afford
HHo is to be the meet Preaident?
This is question that concerns every
free man IN the nation. IL is A question
that ought to BE met with candour and dis
cussed with open and unreserved LIBERAL
ity.
Who are to be the next President and
vice President, is IA question IN the mouth
Of almost every MN: vet, about the scat
Of government there seems to be an awful
mysterious kind of tacl;uruitv. on those 20
whom the question s put. The subject
has in some few instances been started in
tic newspapers, and some names have
been mentioned without provoking discus
sion Of any kind.
The * ritter of this article is not one Of
those who thinks 'her2tion is to be ruined
ly LOSING the services o: any one indvidu-
Il: citizsn, let his fame Or his talents be in
ever 81 high estimation. r. felicitates
himself in constituting n part of nation
which abCUndS with men Of native powers
and acquire menrs, sufficient 10 qualify
them for managing the business of the GO
verAme-t OF any nation, that had adopted
and become acquainted with cur form Of
government. he believes there are humid
reds IN the nation. who had they sufficient
tpeight Cf character 20 Ns ,urnortcd and
ticC(ed, are in all respects w,lI qualie fed
10 90 the duties attached q Ge Ii eh Of
3:ccs Of President and wee President The
nation has progressed FOR ten years in pow
or, il commerce, in wealth. in science.
ard in al che attributes % civilization with
ont her favori5e President Washington.
ard for six years without his favoritc co.
a1i.nor, MIR hdams and, the world have
been aston;shed at the facility, the Quiet
aud the safety, with which wo have I'm :
corstituti onal way peculiar to ourselves
transferred the government, from the
hands of one set Of men 10 those of another
as well rs PUT down those tlema por,Ies
WAohAvc aimed at Or attempted to usurr
powers, forbidden them by the laws of tho
constitution.
Ills understood that or present muci
beloved President, cannot, consistentIy
with his own opinion OF the necessity q
rotation in the Office Of chief magistrates o
q republic, stand cand ,da;e for the pre-
sidencv, the next election. Taking thi
for granted, it does appearto the wilter L
De proper, that the opinions and the wish
rs Of the freemen of the nation, with res
pcct to the candidates should be known {
each other.
There have been times, when II was ne
crssary in order to insUrc the election o
republicans to the high offices Of Presiden
and vice President to resort to Caucusses
where every man was to be pledged q
support the candidate agreed on by tn
mhjorir,,, although he might himself prefe
another: there can be no need Of such
measure now, when no other than repiih
lican candidates arc named, the principl
on which caucussing rests, always smell
too strong Of ari.t0cracy ofthe poVcrarnea
and controul Of the few, over the many
the measure never fsi,s to- operate k
packing the cards, & then calling on you
neigh5cr ~ piav.
1T time when we have nothingtn fear
from any attempt to foist upon us fedora
President o. vice President, let the repub
licans without fear or trembling approaC
the ALTAR o. publicity, and talk over t.