Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1807-01-02

ilNdilfSln VIII Nneu nave SCI LOt ever.
Mr.. RoBERTsoE-Some of the o5jecti-
ons which have been urged against. this re-
solution, might have applied with some
show OF reason 20 the one adopted yester-
day But these objections do not apply at
present. There is no adusation in the resolu-
ton now before the house there IS not the
slightest appearance exhibited of wish
90 pour forth our praises at the feet CT n
chief magistrate. To whom is this resO-
luton addressed? Not 10 the President
OF the United States not 70 q ngle midi
vidual, elevated BY his Office to the high
est dignity. The resolution expresses our
appreciation of the nolicy, pursued by the
government of the United States; and the
term government, includes Congress itself
as well as the President. We approve the
measures of the general government in re-
gard 10 foreign nations we wish 10 convey
10 them our determined resolution to sup
port our officers in the measures which
have been adopted. Where is the objec-
ton The gentleman from Powhatan
(Mr. Miller) has said, that it savours of
adu alton. But does that gentleman recol-
lect his own conduct, during the last win
ter Has he forgotten the resolution,
which he himself brought forward Last
year he pledged himself completely blind
folded he came forward with a prompt
expression OF his confidence in the govern
ment; he cOnfideA, though hc had not all the
documents before him. But now, he is in
cessantly calm, out for documents now,
when the NEE sures themselves are laid be-
fore the public, he draws back, and express
es nothing but doubt
But, sir, an objection is made To this re-
solution, that it cenaures the conduct of
the minority that Spartan band those
exclusive patriots, who were to stand W in
defence Otthe violated liberties osour com
try. Sir, no censure is intended bv this &C.
solution. But were there any in it, let that
ceusure fall where it is due. Are we to
shrink from expressing our confidence in
the administration, because men who nave
50 absurGly attacked it, may conceive
themselves wounded by this expire ssion Of
our confidence IF these gentlemen are
hurt by the love which we ourselves feel
for the ad ninistration, it is not cur fault
and surely they have no right to expect,
that we should withhold the expression of
our own confidence in the government, 20
crafty their unluunded preiudiccs. Can we
blow hot s cold from the same breath Can
we after expressing our appreciation of the
government, consistently declare that we
do not Ceusure the conduct Of the minority
The gentleman from Powhatan declares
that he has no intimacy with great men
In this respect, sir, 7 am precisely situated
as that gentleman. / have no intimate
communicate with the members of Con-
gresS / have not a correspondent within thCs
ten mics square. But this is said to he an
elccticnccring measure. That criticism
applies not to me. have formed No scheme,
& my representative in congress thinks with
me. No, sir. The present resolution was
dirt att.fi nv ct1C- r1Cti1-oc
hope that no miserable fear of mourning
SUCH an importation will repress the freest
expression of our sentiments. Ifthere be
conf citing opinions on the object Of this
motion, let u Know them? FIVE approve
of our government, let us boldly speak out
The minority have proudly Wanted ofthcir
own independence and decision. Let us, sir,
con- ince them, hat the majority are not less
independent than themselves The mino-
rity have taken their stand against the adj
ministration and like the federalists, they
are in opposition to its measures. is this
republiCanism vii. any man say, that
they have not aimed to change the current
Of public sentiment and support against the
administration. Let US hear no more then
of the insinuation about electionccrIng
tricks.
When, sir, I support the proposition be-
lavish adulation upon the President. The
term government, is too comprehensive a
one, 20 admit OF the ungeuerous suspicion.
but am III favor Of this resolution, because
sympathise with the appreciation, which
it is intended to convey. Sir, viii enter
into no detail ofmCasures 10 prove the Wis
dom, the tirmness, s. tic iuctcc Of our gov
eminent. The detail would be too large a
one and even were proofs wanting Of the
propriety of the appreciation, it could not in
the present instance be construed into adu-
lation, because it is addressed 70 "A public
body as well as 20 an Individual
The opponents Of the resolution declare,
that it casts a ccusure upon the minority,
who deserves applause for the firmncss they
have displayed. But sir, when ] examine
the style OF debate, which that party has
imrocuced INTO CUngres when ] observe
the inpcJuos y and passion which marked
their career; when see them Gu lire their
elegant flowers o, Rhetoric from TIC pur-
liCus OF Wrapping, and necessarily strewiug
them before the asscmb cd dignity of the
MT on I eEtremelyd ubt, whcthcr the az
piau.cs bestowed upon their moe, Evidence
have been well bestowed. II is the Droser-
~ OF rel independence, sir, % be cool and
TO sc deliberate. 1t will march on STRAIGHT
and steJfls,ly its object no Obstacles can
/ impede its course, and mo- passions can di-
vert it--But there Is no ceusure contained
I in this rcsou,ion. 1t simply says that we.
/ approve OF the measures, pursued bv our
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