Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1807-02-03

'SIy great or unlimited coincidence. IL was
stated IN the address, that the continuance
OF Mr.. Jefferson in office, would tend to Sc
cure the attainment Of those amendments
But tor the reasons we have mentioned, it
very possibly might have an opposition effect
We believe him TO be friendly to those a.
amendments, and TO all others, conducive to
the security of the liberties of America
but 1t should be remembered that it is not,
and ought not to be, in his power to dictate
their adoption; and that the contcnted con-
fidenCe of the people in his administration
would prevent their desiring any alteration
| IN the constitution, and would probably be
urged as an argument against any which
might be proposed. The people, it would
be said, are happy: Why then should any
! chasgebe made? And, at some future day,
when our rights are invaded by some invi-
dious Caesar or Cromwell, we might have
cause to lament that the proper amend
ments were not introduced in time, to guard
! against his Vaccinations 1t IS much more
probable that this will be done during the
| presidency ofsome individual not possessing
the entire confidence of the people, against
whom, there fore, they might be disposed to
provide precautions, than during that of
| Mr.. Jefferson, on whose talents and virtues
they justly rely, but are perhaps thereby
induced to rely too little on themselves.
| As to the idea that Mr.. Jefferson is better
| calculated than any other man, to reconcile
and unite all parties; that union, if it could
| be accomplished, would probably be pro-
ductve of no good, and is in itself altoge-
Their chimerical. The federalists never can
he reconciled to the man they have
so numerically abused for, although the
| magnanimity Of the person injured may for
give, those who are guilty Of the injury ne
yer do; and. with respect to the divisions
among the republicans, we never can expect
men Of an honest and independent spirit,
who think for themselves. and deliver their
opinions freely, to agree in every thing
In every light, therefore, in which we
have been able to contemplate the subject,
the proposed address was Improper.
Very fortunately it was rejected by the Sc
nate, which thereby relieved Mr.. Jefferson
from the painful task OF answering it, and
/ OF assigning his reasons for rejecting the
| request contained in it, which we doubt net
he would have had sufficient firmness and
patriotism to have done.
| The collision of opinions and conflicts of
arguments, tend to elicit truth, and promote
information among the people: for the ia =
cetious Peter Pindar very Justly observed.
that opposition is like razor, which
MAKES the states face smooth, gives il
an air,
"Likc my Lord North's, SO jolly, round,
| and fair
IL is with great pleasure we find that the
gallant General Eatonhas come forward as
an indubitable witness, to prove the detest-
able treason meditated by Aaron Burr,
whose articles and temptations were ali
unable to corrupt the fidelity of that brave
officer. His deposition in our paper of this
day will no doubt be uncommenly interest
ing to our readers. The horrible DESIGNS
whicn are there revealed as intended to
have been accomplished by Burr, afford n
melancholy example of human depravitv
but the facility with which they have been
defeated, shews that government havino
nothing in vic~y but the public good. is in
tact, the strongest in the world that, rich
IN the grateful love Of the people, it needs
no other support, and has nothing to fear
from foreign eHemies, or domestic consni-
rators. The noble confidence Of the Pre-
| sidehtm the attachment Of the people of the
western country to the union was not i'm
prudently or unguardedly placed, but found
ed in reason and good sense. Conscious of
the uprightness Of his administration. and
knowing the general happiness ofhis fellow
citizens under it. he very properly suppo-
sed that, if any were so weak as to he de
luded by the traitor, the great majority
would be true to their own interests. and
therefore faithful tothe constitution. This
is an advantage which virtue must al,yovs
have over vice, and free government O.
yer despotism. While the latter is ever
uneasy and suspicious, and stands in need
of multitudes OF guards to defend il. the for
mer safely relies on its own merits as its
only shield, and is never disappointed.
A gentleman who was present at the ex-
hihition of the Tragedy of DoUGIhs. nm
Friday evening last, being asked, what he
| thought OF the performance of Master Par
ret! replied-I go to plays for amuse-
ment, and neVerto censure upon this oc-
casion acknowledge, with pleasure NOT
only that am well pleased, but never he
fore saw the part of Young Norva1 Nor
formed so much to my satisfaction il far
exceeded my expectations or hopes. Mr.. s.
MRS. Barret also deserve no less To he an-
plauded for their performance, than for
the agreeable surprise which they have
gwen IN the rare talents and endowments
of their promising son.
MI, Green, according TO custom. tbouoh
he appeared in the character of a villain
gave great satisfaction.
Ihr Following Sras received fran, mr.
J1cHdIy corre8fiondcnt in Washfnpto1
CRY, by saturdays mail