Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-07-19

II
oaiefui scePtres over the Continent, and the
oosoms OF patriots were every where, FL
led with sconsternaiion, and, almost, with
despair. Il was believed that public h.
berry hao no hope. 90 refuge but 10 The
state governments. Il had been announ-
&c from the presidential CHAIR, that there
was party in Virginia which was TO be
ground into dust ard ashes The re-
solutions OF Co. Taylor in 1888, treated
with neglect or contempt by the Other
great states, had proved that The leeisla-
ture OF Virginia was The last stand Of our
political freedom and happins And
10 1.-THE climax of danger aud discou.
ISOLATION, the distinguished Patrick Henry
came again from retirement, with the view,
az II. was understood, to assault and
disiodge them I; ON this their last station.
Such was the inauspicious, the all-impor.
tans, the decisive crisis, when James Mad.
'son, with frame still languishing under
sickness, but. with a spirit firm, erecl and
intrepid, cams forth in the cause of lber.
| ~ and his country. Who can forget tina,
moment! Who can forge, how the little
band OF Virginian Patriots crowded around
his republican champion 10 catch iheaccen's
ola voice rendered feeble by disease !-Even
yet we have this virtuous and lFater-
nal groupe before us. Who can forge,
how the night of despai, first began 10
give way--how hope, al ii-st, family dawn
ed upon each cheek, as uncertain of her
footing; until under the inspiring strains
81 his voice, She assumed a deep and de-
termned glow and spanked with exulta.
ton IN every eye :-Who can forget the
resplendent triumph of truth aud reason
exhibited in his reportl Who that loves
MS country Can cea.e to love the man,
whose genius and hrmness gained that
triumph !--Not the American peo-
pie, be assured, genylemen.--Yet we fnG
| tha one OF you, under the sigma ure OF
talkla d, in late Enquirer, can recall
! hat epoch with Gar d fiereat emotions ;
ga Pralii} his spieenby fancy ing what woulc
( lave been tins result OF a reHcon,re between,
Mar Henry and Mr. Madison, lf il had no,
been prevented by the death of the for.
mer-- how the cen us of Madison would
have sunk and Aed before the impetuous
aud over whe;ming eloqd nee Of Nc Hen
4 ry. The iwriter obviously derives "a spe
cies OF malignant pleasure from broodin,s
over this imaginary triumph, although ii
gained, IT would have been at the expense
OF his country. This is his virtue this
TOO is his csndor! Had he forgotten the
convention of Virginia, where Henry
in all his glory. wss foiled by the trans,
c-ndant powers OF James Madison Or
did he think the defence of the Alien and
SediIion laws better cause, than the
conlend:Dg for Y, vious amendments 70
the constitution Wretcbed. most wretch
J ed is the fate of that writer or that man.
who deserts the pla n highway of con-
Sc enc. ofcandor, for the dark and crook
ed mazes of intrigue and cunning-ert trick
and misrepre sentaIon He may, as the
j wise son OF Sirach has said, ~ork ms
way, for time, like mole under ground
but, by and bye, he bIuNders into light and
stands exposed with all his dirt upon his
. head"
We have taken rapid review Of The
lie oil MIR Madison, for the purpose o!
hndng the occasion on which he betrayed
his want of energy. We cannot find il.
, On the contrary, in every crisis, during
, his long aud eventual political career, o
= Tour and thirty years, whenever the ener
: gy oil the Statesman was demanded, we
have seen il il!ustriouIy displayed by him
not The spasms of madman--but the
steady and uOremi,,ing energy Of a firm
and ardent patriot, man of the pures,
and most disinterested heart, and of endow.
menis Of the very first and highes, order
! Wehave not followed Mr. Madison inte
his Office under the present admins ration
: because since lhst time, his course ha.
7 been uniformly with the administration
: aud whatever you may think Of that course
The seal OF appreciation has been already
, liked upon it by your country.
No more then Of your harping on thl,
general charge Of want OF energy descend
! os specification and shew us when kNher,
= II was. We beg your pardon you have
: specified the solitary ground Of this heav,
+, charge--Mr Madison, 1t scenes. left biz
post IN Congress, 10 the moment Of dan
' ger, and took refuge IN retirement. Thh
IS just as candid as the rest OF your re
, proaches. The case was this. MIR Madi
son had devoted two and twenty years o
r the prime and flower Of his life 70 the ser
j. vice OF his country: he had not spen
= those years IN saying " yea" and f" nay +,
{. nor, what IS worse, in venting barbarou
+ sarcasms, 10 writing protests disgraceGu
u 70 his virtue and understanding, and i