Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1807-01-20

chose principles Internationally is it,
sir, that this address contemplates TO de-
stroy tLe principle ola rotation in the Office
OF President, by requiring ofthe illustrious
man who presides over our government,
continuance in office fourvca more Are
gentlemen aware of the principle they are
thus establishing Do they recollcct that
twelve years will have then expired, dur
ing which this office will have been in the
possession of one man. Is this consistent
with that close woven republicanism of
which we have boasted9 Does this quad
rate with that principle which we have
deemed essential to the liberties and hap
pineSs of this country, and which we have
so loudly demanded, should be engrafted
into our federal constitution rotation in
the regal Office of President principle
too, which the great and good Jefferson
himself has IN almost every-act of his life,
every public declaration he has ever made,
sucnuously endeavored to impress US with
lbs Importance. MIR. Speaker, there is no
man within these walls who entertains a
higher respect for the character, who feels
greater reverence for the talents and the
services ct this iliustrious man than do:
no man iaments more deeply than do, the
Unfortunate sChiSm which has arisen i'm the
republican, party, no man would go farther
e hca. those wounds or TO close this breach
than would but sir, ] can never consent
TO abandon those political axioms, upon
which believe the liberties and the hap
Iiness OF my country depends-to iiatter
this man, or To subservc party purposes.
Let IL be recollected sir, that principles,
and not men, should be the object of our a
doranon, and that tina, republicanism is
not worth having, which can bend or ac-
commodate It's principles to any favorite
object 1T has III view. This address gees
upon the supposition that there is no other
Known IN the u. States in whom we can
safely conidc the administration of our ee-
neral government; against this doctrine,
permit me sir, to enter my most decided
protest. / VIII never subscribe To the idea,
IN t the hbcrt es or n ppiness OF my coun-
Try depends upon the life OF one individual
and great and Overwhelming rs are the
powers and the patronage, attached to the
o.ilce Of President, / still believe there is
purity enough in the constitution, and vir-
tue sufficient in the people, TO protect the
one and the other from the 10 lies * vices
Ell = corrupt administration. | will there
fore, never abandon tais polar principle.
very much doubt sir, whether any cir
cumstances, or any crisis ever could arise
which would induce me toacquiesce IN the
one man 10 hold the Office of President
twelve years-But most conscientiousIy do
} believe, thJt those disturbances, or that
crisis do not exist al present. But sir,
c-nn0t consent to dwell Cor moment upon
what ! consider the subordinate points In
tins question, the time at which it is intro
tuced, or the style Of the address Itself
however Objectionable they may be. 1t is
tle great principle involved In it that alone
occupies my attention. This principle !
*9iincvcr con ent &c abandon. pronounce
:. IN tntI-rcpu5hcan measure, and call us-
on gentlemen 10 shew the consistency OF
their professions with their practice. With
what face, can we ever hereafter ask of
our sister states, their cO-opG ration to OBJ
tain an amendment 10 the constitution which
shall so 10 render any President incl gible
sitcr tOur or eight Years service? Let it be
Ttcritected, sir, rhat although this Office
wil at tie expiration of The present term,
have been filled sixteen out oftwentv years
by citizens of Virginia although Virginia
NAV De at this time 1t the top of the polit-
cal wheel, the time may come, when she
w be at the bottom, and whcn we shall
rue the establishment of this days precc-
dent, which may fas;en upon US as presi-
dent for eight, for twelve years, or for life
some obnoxious citizen Cf another state.
l lament the introduction Of this address,
for well do know it win wound the feel
In5s OF that great man to whom it is adj
dressed-l1e will heavc a sigh of regret.
that the legislature of his native state, that
Virginia who has held so prouda pre-emi-
nence in the ranks Of republicanism, who
has 50 long given tone and asccndancy to
republican principles, should so far have
Tetr graded from those principles, as to
have proposed his continuance in office for
twelve years. am unable, Mr.. Speaker,
60 do justice to my feelings on this occasi-
on, pressed and driven IS we have been in
20 its discussion but for the reasons have
stated, ! shall give the address and resolu-
zion my most decided negative.
Sheeeh Of Mr. SMrTE C2f Wyfhe } on tbe
same motion.
Mr.. SPEAKEB-I concur with the gentle
manlfrom Orange (Mr. Minor) that the con-
stitution OF the u. States ought to have con-
tanned provision, that no person should
serve as president for longer term than
eight year, IN succession. Such provisi-
on would have been a safeguard 20 liberty.
And lift had sometimes prevented the peo-
pie from e!eCtiag the man who was most en-
titled 20 their confidence, it would also have
prevented power from becoming too firmly
fixed in the same hands. if it sometimes
excluded tbr en1iphtonad o,J ,,;,t,,I,,.