Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1807-11-13
FOR TIE Argus.
NuMBYR III.


in short, self-lovc, viii retain IT'S influence
over the frmsst mind. Even the great,
the intrepid Marshall, in the trials which
have lately closed in the Federal Court,
became alarmed, and shrunk from the
great object which he ought to have pur-
sued. The dread OF having the examina-
ton Of the witnesses withdrawn from be-
fore him, and continued at the Washing
ton Tavern by IN cans whereof, his Impair
TALLY or rectitudc might be called in ques-
zion, was Il responsibility which excited
his fears. The horror of an impeachment,
the dread of censure, or the fear OF eXcit-
ing alarm, was an obstacle too great TO be
surmountcd, even by our Chief Justice
Vain alarm Might not experience have
taught him that a federal judge, has bat
little to Fear, from an impeachment Did
he not know. that the friends o! federalism
and energy, were sufficiently numerous in
the Senate, to have shielded him from pun
shm or disgrace The shdck produc-
ed BY the LETTERS Of CURTIus, who
once attributed, what ne called, q his bad
emincnce," TO The energy o. his mind, and
the violence of his zeal, seems not to be for
gotten. The impetuous arlor of his elo.
quence, and the vigor of his style, have
left an impression OH his mind, which time
Itself, il is to be feared, capnot efiace. The
solemn appeal, which Curtius made to the
public, and the ardor with which he under
took TO demonstrate, that his principles
were dangerous to the constitution, and
liberties of his country, are still recent in
his mind. HIS denunciatiOns, and the fer
yor with which he undertook to prov him
guilty Of insincerity and artiiice, still ring
in his ears, or torture his mind. That
rash and daring democrat, but great ora
tor, when ne pronounced. "that there was
hardly a man in the world, who would
"adv0catc perm cious and monstrous op nj
sons, when they assumed the form OK alb
"stract principles: but that it was when
'tthose principles were applied to particu-
''llr cases, III which the prriudces are
"eXctcd, and the passions Interested, that
Soar opinions become perverted and mon
"s,rcus 1T was, | say, at the moment
when the great Curtius applied this ailusi-
! on to the pregen, Chief Justice, that nc
| felt q chill which benumbyd ,hc very ia
cuties of his mind have called the de-
parted Curtius great: II is n tribute which
| is scarcely due to his exalted talents, 70
! hi extensive information, 10 lis impress
I sive Clcquence, and the qualities Of his
heart. 4 man must be lost TO every great
/ and noble sentiment, who j. incapable of
doing justice TO the merits of even such a
| political opponent. Bat when dead, the
| CaiCf Justice ought no longer 20 haze fear
cd him. All Of Curt,,Is that was mortal,
is buried forever in the silent grave! Let
mot then, the memory of Curtius. palsy the
efforts OF the friends of energy, altho' he
has left behind him his suspicious, and
painted with pencil of ire, IL ! may use
the expression, the glowing sentiments of
his heart. But perhaps, l may be wrong,
II. Il -. 9 IL,
mtment Of the iiustrIous Burr. He has
acquitted him of treason, and perhaps
more ought not to have been expected
The great writer, whose hallowed name
llI have used, suspected his motives, on &C
IIccnt of the greatness of his talents: he
listated, ''that the gross errors of a mind
N''like his, excited the mingled emotions OF
V"suspicjon and wonder; that it was difi-
i" u Z to believe that genius and knowledge,
"could seriously adopt, the mohstroUs OPT
"nions of imbeciiity and prejudice; that
Wwhcn we hear man OF uncommon un-
& dcrstanding, advocate absurdities, which
care palpab.e to the plalnest capacities,
g VIC cannot help suspecung the sincerity
6 OF MS declarations, and the purity OF ms
motives" In those very talents which
drew upon the Chief Justice, the censure o
the above writer, we ought, perhaps, tC
Place cur confidence and hopes. The
schemes pursued by man Of his profound
genius and capacious mind, may be veilet
from the sight Of common observer LIE
not then, the gloom which overspreads thu
, mind Of Eubulidss, communicate its conta
, gious fears to his friends let them rather
look forward to brighter scenes, and t
J more propitious times, when the arden
b and aspiring ambition Of our leaders, MAJ
> be crowned with all the success which thei
fondest wishes can paint. EXternal object
may retard for a while, the accomplish
r ment of our designs, but the natural cours
of events, may bring us at last to the grea
- T,Oint which we have so much at heart
. Much is ia the power of the Judiciary -
- The latitude Reconstruction before spcSer
4. Of, aided by the force Of prccedents, ma,
establish an order Of things, quite uncX
peoted at the present day, and calculate
to rescue the nation from that imbecilty
that want of energy, and want of dignit
80 by which il Is characterised. What a fol
Y ly is that ideal notion Of liberty and hap
q piness, which tie people are 70 enjoy, b
&c an exemption from a public debt, an eS
q emption from direct taxes, and by the res
N possibility of public officers, &c. What
= shall Tom, Dick and Harry, presume {
- dictate to the weii-born, the policy whic
=" they ave TO pursue, the laws which the
:. are N enact when they are to be at peace
. and when they shall go 80 war? Shall Oh
- natural aristocracv, the best blood Of tn
Al