Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1807-01-06

therefore, Ieei uiNself unable to reply with
III Shet force, which some gentlcrpen have
cxhibited.--Th gentleman from Cumber-
land (Mr. 3aker) says, thai serious charges
have been preferred against the President,
and that il is therefore necessary TO EXPRESS
our confidence. Why, sir, Thought we
had settled that point YESTERDAY CouldI
declare the President, firm, wise, and pa
triotic, If had supposed him guilty No:
sir The true object of this resolution is,
that it is lcvelied against the minority.
/ The gentleman from Cumberland himself
admits the fact. Then, sir, what shall VIC
do? Shall we declare this censure when
the whole gr unds oftheir opposition are not
yet developed, and the result is not deci-
ded? Shall we, sir, strive to put down this
minority The gentleman from Dinwid-
die (Mr. r. says, 7 went blindfolded into
similar resolution last winter, and that now
I am inconsistent. / deny the assertion I
have already stated TO the House, that that
was a most important crisis. We were
then on the very verge of war and it be-
came us to express our determination to
support the government. But now, the
same important crisis is not hanging over
us-Though / may oppose the particular
measures adopted towards foreign nations,
l will still support my government Am ]
not to defend my country, my wife, my chill
dren, every thing that is dear to nv heart
/ Will support my government against eve
ry foreign nation whatsoever, although l
may not think, that in every case it pursues
the best possible policy.
Mr.. SMITH (ofKing & Queen -Permit
me to trespass for few moments upon the
patience of the house, did not hesitate
yesterday to express my reasons for the
resolution adopted by the house / then
; stated that my principal reason for voting
in its favor was, becuse no other forcible
resolution was brought forward. i consi-
dered that resolution as an incomplete one
/ was anxious that some measure might be
brought forward, which would enable me
to express my complete and undiminished
confidence in the character and acts of the
present administration, and might serve to
wipe off the odium, which had been cast
npon 1T. / am 81 atified, sir, that resolu-
ton has this day been brought forward,
which is neither marked by the blandish-
ment OF fiattery nor the severity of harsh
reproat II. This then is the moment for
boldly avowing our sentiments.
What reproach is there, that has not
been cast upon our present administration
They have been stigmatised; they have
( been most uniustly illuminated. The ma
ton has been told, that they are unworthy
of its confidence that they have crouched
to Spain, bullcd G.. Britain that they
have incurred a stain, which not all the Wa
ters of the Ocean could wash out. They
have told US TOO, that the nation are
on their side. Donot these destinations call
upon us to speak our sentiments
l shall vote for this resolution on two
grounds. 1st. because approve of the mea-
surcs, which the general government has
adopted towards Foreign nations. They
were such as were calcrIzted To preserve
! an honorable peace, or 20 guard us against
. war. We did not enlist ourselves las has
! been sadly among the tributaries of France;
we wished 10 purchase the Floridas, and
where was the disgrace of that measure
As to Great Britain, our Restriction Bill
WAS not Gas some have conrended) War
measure. but a.link os a chaiu of REGULATE
ems, which we might at any time, and that
we may hereafter hndit to be our interest,
TO. adopt inregard to that country
But, Sir, | am in favonr of this resoluti-
on, because it CO - censure upon the Mi
monty. do not fear, Sir, as some gentle
men do, that it will increase the present
schism in the Republican party. do not
fear, Sir, to exasperate this Minority. Such
is my confiaeuce in the virtue and popular
ity of Mr.. Jefferson, that | should not fear
that though this feeble minority were lopt
oil from the Republican, that it would
injure it in the slightest degree.
But what sort of language do they hold
out, who declare that the present measure
will increase our schisn1s What is this
but to say that there are secrets and de-
fects in our government, on which the sun
is not to shine, nor the winds OF heaven to
blow upon? Sir, ! do not dread any inves-
LEGATION, which may be instituted; nor will
any sincere friend Of the present admins
tration. And permit me to say, Sir, that
those who oppose the present resolution
paw but poor compliment indeed to the
principles Of the Minority. 1t is really to
charge them with having no firm system Of
policy to regulate their conduct, bat with
being at any moment ready to be biased
and swerved from their course by every in
cident which may occur.
But, sir, in answer TO those who dread
the production OF schism, will boldly a
vow my opinion, that this schism cannot be
widened. The minority differs from the
administration not on Hftie points, as some
have pretended TO assert, but on great lea
ding principles of policy. You might az
well expect that the most heterogeneous DO.
dies of nature will unite together, as that
new coalition can be established between
these political parties. Their confidence
in each other is gone for ever. The major
ity can never again repose any trust in the
men, who have so completely reviled theii
q, he mi, har