Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1807-02-17

| IL Is hoped, VIII exist no more and it now
becomes more proper to enquire, what are
the means by which either candidate NAV
! render to the public, more or less service
tnan ms competitor; and whether It is
likely, II elected, he will, with industry and
fidelity, devote his time and talents. tn
promote the public veal.
| There is also another circumstance of
! considerable Importance, which requires
tue notice OF the patriot and politician i'm
winch the morals, as well as general Cha
racter OF the country, are connected. 1t
mas Deen long the custom, in Virginia, to
| Sohct ana entice the electors by treats and
! other aliurements, to dispose of their votes
without regard to the real merits of the
candidates. So long has this custom pre-
vailed, that some voters have conceived
themselves to be sighted, and treated with
disreSpect, if this ceremony has not been
/ performed. Altho' it is true, that this
punctiious temper does not every where
exist, yet 1T most certainly has sometimes
prevailed to such degree, as to turn the
scale In favor of the assiduous candidate.
where otherwise, his competitor might
nave succeeded. This truth being we'll
Ahown' 1t cannot be expected, that any
candidate, after he has jeopardized his
feelings IN the issue of an election, will fail
-
| cess.
These things have frequently been the
subjects of Conversation-they have been
sometimes denounced with the most sim
cere and ardent patriotism, even by many
OF those who have found it necessary to
pursue the general practice. They no
uouot nave enjoyed ample consolation in
the honor OF success, for the treason which
they have committed against their own
feelings and judgment.
From these and other considerations, it
seems, that the practice of cicctionccrinp.
Is not only condemned, by the most en-
| hShtened OF those who pursue it, but is in
FURIOUS to the tranquility, morals and res
pectabihty OF society. 1t obstructs the
course OF free enquiry, and cntangles the
whoie community in petty and degrading
contests, and often produces private ami
mostly, which too frequently terminates i'm
woe.
III these things are true-if some of those
VINO countenance the custom which is al
luded to condemn tiff thew unite in ex-
pressing hope, that the practice will be
abolished, how has it happened, that no
one has thought fit to commit himself to
the chance OF disappointment and mortifi-
cation; why it Is, that the whole country
mas been convulsed, to procure temporary
success upon spurious and prccarious DO
Pularlty, excited, at the moment, perhaps,
oy iaISe expectations, or deceptious all
lureinents Why has no one, whose cxam-
pie would have weight, made at least one
solltary effort, to arrest the general delu-
sion, and give new direction 10 public o.
pinion
IL is because, every one seems to be-
heVe' that the course OF events, depending
upon ancient habits, and promoted by new
ana allurlng causes, could not be changed
by individual efforts: 1t is because, a de-
gree OF weakness and depravity, is imputed
10 the mass OF the people, which every one
denies, as relates to himself, and which e.
very man OF observation knows, does not
Justly apply even to a considerable proper
.ion IL rs because, the most popular and
independent citizens of the respective coun-
ties, do not enter into open and manly re-
solutions, to discountenance the practices
which have been noticed. 1t is to such as
these, that an appeal ought to be made it
Is by such, that the degrading practices
may be abolished-lt is from them, that so.
ciety has right to expect the first advan-
ceS towards useful innovations.
he truth OF these observations, is too
evident to- require further illustration
he public interests call for innovations ::
1t is time that a beginning should be made
ana 1t appears most proper, that it should
commence at and near to the seat of go-
Vernment-because the people in the dis
tant counties naturally look to the seat of
government for political information. f.
very patriot would rejoice to find, that a
more rational era was about to commence.
! which would not only abolish custom
which is generally conder ned, but would
give to the social clIaract of Virginia, a
weight, influence and resbecfabilitv, far su-
perior to that which hath been heretofore
enjoyed.
These remarks will be now closed with
recommendation, that every man, who
prizes his own personal political weight,
VIII endeavor TO approximate, as far as he
can, to that course, which his own consci-
encc dictates to be just; to that course.
which Is most likely to afford to his cotIn-
try, the greatest portion of political benc-
hts. IT, in considering these duties, he
shall find any ancient customs, which de-
serve to be exploded, or perceives wherein
beneficial changes may be introduced. let
him, who entertains such opinions, be the
first to acknowledge his convictions. and
his determination to promote, as far as ne
can, the proper alterations let him bear
IN mind, that the perpetuation of our poli-
teal liberties, will greatly depend upon the
social character Of the people.
A FREEHOLDER.
From the Norfolk Public Ledger, Fe6. 70.