Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1807-12-29
r l C II M o N D.:
TO the Editor of the Virginia .Argus.

OSi'SNNA w OG anu tiC
citizens of America are preparing to en-
counter with fortitude all it's inconvenien-
ces for the sake If defending the rights Of
their country, their attention appears to be
SO much occupied with that all important
subject as not TO he easily diverted towards
any other Yet the ,ect of the approach
ing election of 4 President of the u States
is one which Cannon be neglected, and
must necessarily in a short time attract the
Serious consideration of the people.
In little more th IN wear from this time,
our beloved and venerable JEFFERSON
will no longer he at the head of the nation.
the great majority of whom united in es-
teeming him the most proper rerson to
ON their dearest interests could be con-
fded.
The storm which is ut present gathering
may indeed have blown over before the 81
day of March 1909. (when his public SER
vices as President will cease.) and he may
leave us in peace and prosperitv-But it is
also possible that the war probably now
commencing may be of long continuance
The question, therefore, who shall be the
successor of the illustrinus Jefferson, WIN
shall be the pilot to Steer our political YES
sci thro' the dangerous ocean we are about
10 navigate, so 70 shun the gulphs and
quicksands of monarchy and aristocracy,
and 20 guide it safely between the Scylla
md Chnrvbdis of French and British am
btion and rapacity, is highly interesting
and important.
II is much to- be lamented that, in our re-
public, 50 much should depend on one man ::
but, until the Constitution of the United
States shall have been amended by dimi-
nshing the immense power aud influence
OF the President, * will unfortunately al
WAYS De the case that the freedom and safe
" of the people will in a great measure
depend on their selecting proper charac-
ter to fill that Office
Hence, considerable anxiety on the SUBJ
Ject must exist, and violent eectioneering
Efforts NAV be expected from contcnding
parties IL support of their favorite candi-
dates.
This inconvenience ought to be removed
by speedy corrective of the radical vice
the real original sin in the Constitutions
by which it may in time be destroved-tC
wit, the patronage vested in the President
in bestowing upon him the right of nomi.
nstin to so many lucrative offices But
since the golden opportunity presented by
the republican presidency of Thomas JEFF
ferson has been permitted TO pass by un
improved, even by the hrohoSal (much les.
by the Gdohnon) of this essential amend
ment, we need scarcely expect to obtain II
under anv of his 81 ,cessnrs.
Let rs therefore be careful and vigilan
with respect 70 the choice of the person t.
whom this great trust is to be committed
trust which. if abused, might even pro.
duce the destruction of the liberties OF 4
merca, bur, If properly executed, may be
employed to the preservation Of it's rights
and advancement OF rs prosperity
The writer of this was never of opinion
m hr orr NF l.,
roo son called to this interesting subject
conserving it to be one which required the
fai~est and fullest discussion, the most ma.
tur7 reelection and the most cautious deli.
berStiHn, in order that a wise and Iudici
Gus choice might be made Under thi,
suppression he was pleased at observina
SINE time ago that YOU, as editor Of thu
Argus, took the Iibe-iY (Which is the
right Of every cijizcn in free country,
OF communicating 60 The public vour ide I,
Concerningit, AMI OF recommending JAMks
MADISON the present Secretary of state
as a character ore -erAiuentiv qualified t,
be tbc next President cf the II Sttes -
The great abilities of Mr. b91dison, H.,
int yrity and republican virtue, his Ions
experience in public aft ire, his accurate
acquaintance with, and unqnestionable at
tachment to the excellent principles OF
which the administration Of Mr. il Fcrso,
has undeviatingly been conducted, were
reasons surely Sufficient to justify that re
commentator. Bit it is to he hoped, tina
yon and the other republican printers
will not be bigotted in favor IF any one in
diyidnal, If another equally wise, upright
and patriotic can be found tn conduct tn,
helm Of State. {" PrincifLeS mt mem u
the sound political creed. The rcpubl
canparty should therefore not be split int
discordant fractions in disputing about til,
comparative merits of particular men, VIII
are so iearly equal in every respect a
Jams Madison and JameS Monroe. Til,
tribute Of applause which has lately beer
paid to the many great and excellent qua
liiies Of the latter, was surely correct, an
character possessing such exalted meri
must DC very well qualified to perform In
duties of President, with honor 20 himsel
and advantage to his country. II will
therefore DC nothing more than Justice {
both these fJ'Hiy great men, (whcse great
ness consists in talents and virtue, not i
wealth and power,) to treat them bot
with respect, and describe their meri;
with the impartiality which truth requires
If they should in reality be brought in corn
petition rs persons nominated TO fill I'll
Presidential chair. II is much to be wish
ed, that the republican party, il possible
should not be divided at all, but should sc
lect some character in support Of whor
they can all with safe consciences unite
80. 4 ~