The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1807-12-24

It's own ABILITY 20 weld lt. 81,
In fact, whatever laudable motives might
have prompted Mr.. ]. to resume his Office,
the same would serve as hreterts for Dad
successor to initiate his example What a
Jefferson might have done through patriotism,
a hypecrite might affect to do through SINH
lar Inducements. The world might not ca
sils detect the dissimilarity which prevailed
between the two cases; and a bad man might
reap the fruits of bad example, that was
set by meritorious predecessor.
This example as it now stands upon re-
cord one of the most imhosing which re-
public could desire or an ambitious President
could dread. Here we behold man, of the
most immaculate virtue, his conduct of course
actuated BY the purest principles. His ia
Tents. his experience, his ability to promote
the happiness of his country, confirmed be-
yond a doubt by forty years" of unrcmit-
ted service. The sun of his popularity has
Just touched its zenith. Norman in this coun-
try was ever more respected and Beloved
We behold this man invited, nay solicited by
many public meetings of the people, by sever
al state Legislatures, by Il whole host of indi-
viduals, to re-accept the highest honours i'm
der the government. His fellow-citzens in
Woke him in the warmest spirit of affection
to dispense with the principles which he has
laid down for the regulation of his conduct
they furnish him with an excuse in the pre-
sent crisis of our affairs; crisis, protiuc--
ed by the mad aggression of the monarchs
OF Europe and which no prudence OF his
could have averted.
All these temptations however, are insuf-
fcient to divert him from his magnaninous
purpose. The man who has been ever taught
to obey the voice of his country, is seen for
once to resist its impulse, because it seeks to
raise him to power at the expence of his prin-
nc, 10.
allurement. He determines to retire from
| Office from the noblest motives. He believes
it to be "as much duty" "to lay down (his)
| charge at proper period as to have borne'it
| faithfully - He believes "that a represen-
tative government, responsible at short peri
| DDS of elections, is that, which produces the
| greatest sum of happiness to mankind"-He
feels it to be a "duty to do no act which shall
essentially impair that hrfncihie." If such
man as this does not deserve the applauses
! OF the world, then indeed is "Virtue an emp
ty name" How much more essentially vr-
tuous is such man, than Scylia, who stated
with conquests and with blood resigned the
dictatorship of Rome, or the capricious
Christina who abdicated the throne of Swc-
| den NO example was ever better calcula-
ted to fix the ''frQctice' itself, and to sup
ply the defects of the constitution :" and
that President, who should hereafter aspire
toa "proiongation beyond the second term
! OF Office" must stand forth to the world as
convicted of the most inexcusable ambition
| 1t is not, however. to be expected, that the
Federal party will concur in this warm APP
probation. They who have delighted to mis-
represent all the acts of his administration,
will not fail to pursue it to its termination
with unreienting hatred. More than two
years ago, when it was first intimated that
Mr.. Jefferson would retire, his vigilant OPP
| ponents exhibited some symptoms of the eS-
tent OF the malignity, by which they would be
actuated. Even then, they were attempting
| to assign the worst motives for the conduct
which he might pursue, & so eager was their
| ingenuity, that they anticipated every pos
sible conduct and assigned the worst possible
motives for each. If Mr.. Jefferson should
serve again, there he was to be actuated by
ambition. The addresses to him for that pur-
pose were but so many ridiculous invitations
| to crafty his secret wishes-If he retired,
he only shrunk from the political storm which
| should then be collecting, that he might in
greater security avoid it's fury. "By these
various and even opposite charges, the pun
ishment inflicted by the Siciian tyrant is re-
alised upon tie unfortunate" subject of their
wrath" if too long, Che is) lopt-if too
short, (he is) stretched"
Fortunately for him, the punshments are
lEnCOnpatlDle, anu ny COnSentllS TO retire,
he has at least avoided one horn of the di-
lemma, that was prepared for him. No one
however will ns:gn him to the other, who
seriously considers that it was long time,
since Mr.. Jefferson's intention was first an
nounccd to his intimate friends when the
presen: crisis of our affairs could not have
been .rt.cipated, when nothing was to have
been expecLed but the halcyon days of pros
perity < peace, What man, acquainted with
this circumstance can fairly attribute his re-
tircment to any ether motive than the love OF
principle!
| That such crisis as the present exists !;
that war should BE- lowering i'll our horizon,
must be regretted b. all But no man can
attribute its approach to Mr. Jefferson. He
has done every thing, which the ablest
statesman could attempt to avert this storm
from his country. But the infatuation and ty-
rany of England have defeated ali his e.dca-
| YOURS
| War why dost thou shake
| Thy glory locks at him 1t was
| Not he t!idt did it
] 1t was England. 1t was the same Nation
! that invaded the shores of Denmark, and
| robbed her Of her fleet, without cause or pro-
vocation. And as well might the attack on
! Copenhagen be attributed to the Grown
Prince, as the attack OIL the Chesapeake to
Mr.. Jefferson.
But why indicate this man. His admin