Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1807-02-13


under thislaw. Surely, Sir, the gentleman
could not mean to urge ,his IS any thins new.
Ho must have known, II he had consulted
history, rs doubtless he has, that the
king sh.iacto and the administration De
>Jaefo IS always above suspicion-that there
never vas =, propos ition brough toward, hat
did ne, fai a majority ready tosay, there is
surel, nota ger Of m per use u |, is
power in our time, Cor We are AL honorable
men, and we would not delegate it, il am
improper use could be made OF il (; and that
itwc reject Il measure, we ought not to do
1t so much on account of ourselves, IS on
account of those who come after us. And
what viii those who come after us say ofus
They will follow our example, and declare
that the character Of their forefathers was
above every doubt and every suspicion.
Now, FOR myself, beg leave to he permit
ted to disclaim every argument OF tinS kind.
donot indeed considert fair to introduce
such an argument. Let us take Mp the
QUESTION ON its own merits and dcperits,
without any al.usicn or reference TO Our own
Writes or the dcgeneracy of posterity
Formysc.fI have 80 hesitation in saving,
that wiihnot grant this power at am. time
except under the most imperious necessi-
ty -andcI say this without any, disrespect
to this hcnorable body, or TO any of, the pub-
EciiuIciiOparies Take man as he i, and
In his best estate, you. find him an animal
prone 70 abuse and 70 corruption. There
does not exist single constitution or law in
the world that does not enforce this salu-
tary truth.
! shall consider this bill, il il masses, as
establishing new era in the government
When was a boy I.recoilect TO have con-
suited such chronological tables as
could get access to. / recollect TO have
read that at certaintime monarchy was
abolished in Rome--a little while after the
first dictator was namcd--then the second
dictator-and I believe, as in a case OF a.
popleNy, she scarcely got over the third fit.
Ihelieve q suspension of the writ of ha-
bcas corpus might have here the same
effect as the establishment of the first
Dictatorship at Rome. In what situation
would II place yourselves and the citizens of
this country! il would leave them al the
mercy, not merely of a justice of the peace,
but at the mercy of every subaltern officer
OF the army s navy. believe it would COM
! or as much with the safety s. interest Of this
Coniederacy 10 give US power to send these
people of, as to put this power in their
hands. l believe we should be as trust
worthy Is they. And let me ask what COM
penSauon to an innocent man, TO a
man of honor and feeling, TO man OF
character, who should DC tied neck & heel.
and sent oil 70 Ncw-O rleans, and who should
ultimately be proved to be innocent, q *
what compensation it would be to him TO
bring an action of damages !-Against
whom man without visible property
and what action? An action OF the mest
mercenaFy principle, to be Unidentified in
MS lame, by dollars, dimes and cents.
he INJURY would he irreDarable At pre-
sent all stand under the law If any one
offend, let him be brought under it, But
In this way, to put man in an oyster boat
or Skipper, and transport him TO !. distance
1Ion the place of his arrest, and then saw
lie shall have remedy, III case of his inno-
cence, against an iaferior officer, is absurd.
III we pass such bill, which Cod forbid,
1t should contain large appropriation, and
government should be obliged to make
good the injured. party-to afford him re-
oress, say they should grant a large APP
preparation, for il IS not for men with G.
Paulcts and gold buttons to make repara-
ton. ltihe bill passes, VIC are told it will
be but temporary. VIM the sedition law
was but Temporary aad think, sir. (al-
ndIng to the the Speaker) you were one
OF those whoaided It's passage much against
your WIZ, Dy being present at tho altar
When II was more than once Ie-cnacted.
As 70 IT'S three months continuance, Consi-
der that rs one of the most Objectionable
features OF the bill-As bait to the tran.
AS the entering wedge. If it is made
reconcilcable to the interests s feelings of
this house to pass il for three moaths, dovou
think we wit then feel the same lively re-
pugndnce t" = shat we now do Not has
been truly said that no man became per
1ecGy wicked at once---and il may be affirm
ed with equal truth, that a nation is never
ensiaved ct once. Men must be initiated
by degrees and their repuguance must be
gradually overcome. Let me state a case.
lis proposed to extend the time OF service
OF the executive magistrate from four to FIVE
or eight Years, or for life lift be prolonged
tor term, 90 YOU b eiieve we shall stop at
ITS expiration! Ro--Once extended for life,
he viii then claim the power to choose his
successor, * The hereditary principle will
follow. This is the old trick Let me howe
yertei gentlemen that old birds arc net tobe
caught with chat, though unfortunately for
them, the mass 81 manEind doesnot consist
Ut Old birds. Pass one other law, and
! would quit the country. a twin brother
to this same bill was Introduced into the
British parliament in 1904, and that bill to
prevent sedition: assemblies, was brought
forward Tor about as good regsDrs as this.
according toi it, it four or FIVE persons as
sembed and refused ON the notice of a ma
gistratc to dispense, they we're considered