Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1807-02-27


those traits ofhorror and eXccratioIi which
it deserves to excite, and they will endea-
vor to rank him among the Caesars, Crom-
wells, Bonapartes and other usurpers,
whose fame occupies a splendid station in
the memory of mankind. 1t appears that
such examples had Il powerful influence
on the mind OF Burr himself, in exciting
him TO his late iiagitious attempt; Gen.
eTGmhicS in his favor. An attentive re-
view of his conduct, will shew, that he is
not entitled to the estimation which is due
TO the memory of some unfortunate, des-
perate aud generous highway-men.
1t will be found, that the men who have
succeeded in establishing despotisms on the
ruins of public liberty, have been indebted
for Their success, rather to the vices OF the
country in which they lived, than to their
own talents or prowess. 1t is this general
dePravity OF nation, which producing an
archy and public calamity, renders usur-
patton at once practicable and eXcusablc,
ii not justiiiable. The abuse of liberty, al
ways preccdes the loss OF it the vessel of
the state, is exposed to wreck, aud des-
truction by the vices and unskilfulness of
the mariners and becomes the property Of
him who has sufficient address and intrcpl-
dity to seize the helm.
When Julius Caesar assumed the imperial
power, Rome had been long a prev to dis
cord, civil war, massacre and prescription :;
the soul of freedom was gone, never to be
revived by mortal power; the sentiments
OF republicans, were only felt by a few who
found 1t impossible to impart them to their
countrymen. In such situation, it is Diff
cult to conceive what diminution OF hapDi-
ness the people could experience, from the
loss OF liberty, which they only perverted
to the purposes ofseli-dcstruction.
When Cromwell became the monarch
OF England, under the title of protector, it
IS notorious, that he only wrcsted the So
vereignty from the hands Of forty tvrants.
to place it In those Which would WELD il
with greater talent and more benefit to the
nation. The country had suffered a long
train OF calamities, civil war had stained
it with the blood Of the people, and their
king had suffered on the scdiE,id
a more recent event which has occurred
IN France, confirms US in the result which
the experience of history prompts US to
draw, respecting the origin and causes OF
despouc power. Now, that the enthusiasm
inspired by the events of the French rGvo-
lation, has subsidized, and left room Tor dis
passionate enquiry, it must be admitted,
that the assumption OF imperial power by
bonaparte, at the crisis to which the affairs
OF mat country, had then arrived, rather
furnishes matter of regret for the vices of
the people, than of disapprobation towards
the individual 1t cannot be denied, that
immediately, prior to that cvent. The af.
fairs OF France, both domestic and foreign,
were iii condition every wav deplorab.c ::
a 81,
Twelve years of popular rule, had brought
whit, nothing but succession of tvrants.
repetition Of tumults and massacres, n
continuation OF ANARCHY. The streets Of
Paris, and even the avenues which led to
the seat of legislative deibcration, had been
converted into fields of battle, where the
blood OF the citizens had strearned In tor
rents. Such state of things, If not a COM
piete justification, at least, afforded a plau-
sibie pretext ior usurping the sovereign au-
tbority.
Among such examples, in vain, will Aa-
ron Burr, look for precedent TO sanction
MS plan OF piilage, theft aud murder. Tie
United States. are now il the undIsturbed
and unqneStlonable ENJOYMENT of peace
and unabused liberty. Their internal and
external situation ! prosperous and happy.
Noincurable and hostile factions agitate the
cubic councils, the country has never Wit
messed the shock Of civil combat, nor one
state exception. And for this state Of things
Burr wouiA suDSt tutc a scene of civil war.
assassination, tEeft and murder, evils which
his great eramhie.S have tended to obviate
and not to produce.
disposition seems generally prevalent,
to confer on Burr the epishet of great 1
must confess that neither i'll this recent
transaction, nor III any other event OF his
lie, can sec any thing but the low, cum
ming, unprincipled, Intriguing, knave. In
the city OF New York which he chose as
the field Of his ambitious career, he found
that the federal party offered him no road
TO distinction. The confidence of that party
was already engrossed, by men superior to
him In talents and public estimation, 10
whom he could only have acted n scconda-
ry. Exclusively devoted to self aggran-
dl1ement, both parties were Indifferent To
him, except as he could render them sub
Servlent to his views the federal doctrines
were perhaps more congcnial to his real
sentiments, but TO such men as Burr sim
ccrlty mas no charms, they sacrifice IA
feeling oftheirnature IN being hypocrites
| 1t suited him best 60 wear mask and he
protested himself a republican. Under the
sanction OF this character, and by means o
dospicable artiice, he obtained the suiIra.
ges of the republicans for the office Of vice.
President, and availed hinsc If of defect
| OF the constitution TO attempt TO supplan
the person who was the rcI object of the
! wishes OF the pcODip ~. pff .eidept -- 4 hi,