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


capable of error, but, (admitting the de-
fects necessarily incidental to human ma
ture,) that, generally, when they possess
the degree of Information, patriotism and
republicanism at present enjoyed by the CT
tizeps ofthe u. s. they will be in the right
he present time, indeed, when the repub-
iican spirit OF the people beats high; when
the tederaiists, and other opponents of the
administration have sunk in,o very feeble
minority, is the very time to prepare for the
choice OF new president becatsc we
may reasonably expect that the character
selected Will be true republican, and will
exert whatever talents he NAV possess for
the good of his country. The danger of
change tor the worse must sometime or O..
Their be encountered; and no time can be so
eligible as that when Thomas Jefferson is
still alive; when Notwithstanding his re-
tirement from ofice) his patriotic mind will
be watthful over the proceedings Of his sue
cessor, and, no doubt, will assist him with
his advice.
| Other powerful considerations might be
mentioned In favor ef the utility of rotation
In Office; but it is unnecessary to repeat ar
| guments, which have already been present
cd to the public so forcibly, and in so many
various shapes, by other writer's, and by the
orators who delivered their sentiments on
this subject in the House of Delegates.
mat genuine virtue, which induced Mr..
Jefferson to recommend measures to dimi-
nish his own influence, by reducing the cnor-
nous patronage annexed to his Office that
pure and perfect devotion to the cause Of
freedom, by which his whole life has been
distinguished that philosophy and madera-
ton which elevate him far above all the
and Il. 4
combined to induce Mr.. Jefferson to be de.
sirous cfretiring to private life, or, as Judge
Darlington very happily expresses it, to
the exalted station of a private citizen"
Alter long career OF glory after honor.
ably and usefully serving his country and
the human race, by viRdicating and main
tanning their rights, for more than forty
years, he wishes, in his old age, to be eX-
emptcd from the fatigues Of public life to
ENJOY the blessings of leisure in his philoso-
phIcal retreat at Monticello, and, at the
same time, 10 set a noble example of mode
ration tobe initiated by his successors This
beng the case, he has wisely and judicious-
| ly mentioned his desire not to be put in no.
minaton as candidate ut the next election
OF PRESIDENT; in order that sufficient time
may be allowed for the people To look cut
! lor proper person to succeed him. That
IN making this declaration, he acted with
sincerity, and not for the hypocritical pur-
pose OF feeling the public pulse, with an in
tentlon of secretly directing his friends TO
set measures on foot to induce the people to
urge him 10 accept the Office again, and,
thereupon, of yielding to their request, las
! some OF his enemies have suggested) must
be believed by all those who have hitherto
had good opinion of his character. Yet
the proposed address from the General AS
semhly of Virginia, proceeding from the
zeal OF affection not directed by sound
Judgment and discretion, would have at
tempted to counteract the rational inclina-
tons OF this old and faithful servant of The
pubic, and subjected his feelings to Il truly
disagreeable dilemma. If, in obedience to
an address from the Legislature of his ma
1--WE state, he had consented again to ACCEPT
the presidency, the expectations Of his enc
mes would have been gratiGed, and their
Triumph complete. With exutation they
would have exclaimed awe knew his in
"tentlon was not 70 resign the power he low
"ec, but to make parade of disinterested
"virtuc which he never possessed: we
"knew his wiley policy was PREPARING \
"pian to be continued in Office for life and
"that like the crafty Augustus Caesar, he
"pretended the cares of government we're
l"too weighty for him, only that lie MIGHT
"rlvet the chains of despotism OF the peo-
"Pie. H. on the contrary, he had refused to
comply with the request contained in the adj
dress, those who are always readyto abuse
| every action OF his life, would have said his
refusal proceeded from pride and an osten-
tatlon Of republicanism and that he dew
| ated from his own principles, in not obevipe
the voice of the people.
The most bitter enemy of Mr.. jefferson
could not have contrivcd better method
OF injuring his character, than this address
presented, by iniudiciously placing him in
situation from which he could not have been
withdrawn, without beinglable to the most
notifying Populations. In this point of
view, therefore, the Senate acted wisely in
rejecting the proposed address.
But, 1T was said, that no other individual
so fully commanded the confidence Of the
PEG le a. MIR. Jefferson; AMI, therefore. that
no other was SO proper to be president. A
republican, who matuTeIy considers the sub
jcct, will be Of different opinion. The
necessity of confidence in the executive was
constantly preached by the federalists in
the days OF John Adams: but it is not a re-
publican virtue. A certain degree of ioa-
lousy Is useful TO prevent a nation from sink
ing into state of supineness and a3athv.
which prepares them for the loss Of their
liberties. We firmly believe that the corf-
deHce which the people have reDosed in Mr..
Jefferson was wcll-placed, and has never
been abused: But we will also observe, that
if that confidence had not existed 60 such an
extent, more might have been done. for the