Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-10-18

oush tiiC uaPpchinb VI any iutufC SNSht
This is the bye-path through which the mi
uority expect TO escape with credit. But
it is impossible. They have, gone upon the
high road of inconsistency, to far. The
people know that the sense of the majority
has been clearly ascertained, not from any
entire reliance upon the nomination of
caucus, but from interviews, correspond
ence and public meetings. This undoubt-.
eddy is the strongest evidence to evince the
wishes OF the people, and this evidence has
been most abundantly afforded.
But Notwithstanding this, it is said that
in times like these, SO fruitful Of events, 1t
is impossible to know the choice of the peo-
pie, until the choice is actus lily made. Here
we have obstinacy and determination to en-
counter, and not argument. They will not
believe that the people have any choice, be-
cause the election is not over, which they
seem to think is the only testimony to prove
it. This is strange indeed. They might
as well contend that they will not believe
there WILDE any election at all, until il has
actually taken place, or that the sun will
not rise Tomorrow, until they see it with
their own eyes. Thisirrational scepticism,
must result from spirit of opposition, or
an anti-repuhlican determination no; to sup
port Mr.. Madison-the choice of the peo-
pie. Let us ask this simple question. Has
Mr.. Monroe half the evidence on his part
to shew that he is the choice of the people,
as that which is constantly exhibited in
behalfof Mr. Mad son! epresume there
are very few indeed, who will answer in
the Negative. But here again comes the
caucus.
This, it is said, has given an improper BIZ
as to the public mind. Itmaiters not how
ahe bias arose, provided it still remains In
support OF a man, whose merit, talents and
Integrity are admitted. 1t is impossible to
remove this bias the people, according to
the resolutions of'iheir immune cradle Conven-
tons, and unmindful of the nomination of
the caucus, have explicitly declared them
selves in favor of Mr.. Madison.
What is meant by this improper biass that
the people support man who is unfit for
the Office, man who possesses neither ia
Tents, integrity or patriotism, or that they
themselves are so devoid Of virtue, judg-
ment and independence, as to suffer them
selves to be duped and deluded by eau
Gus. Here then, is the evident alternative,
either that Mr.. Madison is knave, or tina
the people are fools. Under these circum-
stances, the people will suspect that there
Is something more at bottom than mere pre-
objection. They cannot believe that true
republicans, stwho would sink the private,
in the public good would suffer their per-
sonal attachment to hurry them so far as
( TO lessen the influence of their party, aad
ipefhaps, to jeopardise its ascendancy.
There are some OF the Monroe advocates,
whom we are assured, land winch we be-
lievc) have not entered into the covenant
with minoritysm. But then again, it is es-
sential that they should explain themselves,
or else they will be very apt to be embrace
cd in The old adage, g. that birds of fea-
Their flock togo ther." And it surely would
not be so excessively improper, when it
is known, that the chairman of the Mon
roe committee has been heard to say.
that he should ike to see Mr.. John Ram
dolph in the presidential chair. And, when
too, it is recollected, that this gentleman
is c very ., ul Of ministerial opposition
The violent accuser Of the present admi-
nIstration, and the unappeasable enemy to
James Madison. We can but ask those
who are not allied To the minority in prin-
ciple, If this circumstance is not sufficient
TO induce them to mark OUT the line of de-
marcation, TO start back at the scheme they
are pursung, and to dissolve every thing
like cement, that binds them together.
The times are truly critical and embar-
| rasScd, and require the fuil-toned voice of
every republican, instead of faint, ambigu-
Gus appreciation and support. 1t is wo, Sc
than superstitsous infatuation to believe that
Mr.. Monroe can be elected now. And, in
deed, we should not be at all surprised, If
nc never should, in consequence of MS sur
prIsing silence, upon subjects OF i!ie most
interesting and important nature.
Ihere are some papers which take nc
cu'iar delight in advancing the charge oil
inconsistency against those advoc ates OF Mr.
Madison, who some time since espoused
the cause of Mr. Monroe. We fad very
! many men of distinguish ed talents and an
proved patriotism, who have acted in this
style, and TO this list we may add the name Of
Daniel Brent. Is it not surely con.
tradiction in political reasoning to say that
the majority is nconsistent-when it Is an
admitted principle that the majority ought
always to govern. But there are other
reasons which offer themselves now TO es.
tablish the decided pre- eminence of MIR.
Madison, and to justify the most animated
opposition TO MIR Monroe. One of these is,
that there is not even an informal under
standing between him and the federaJ,sis
and the minority men, but on the contrary,
that they are his most bitter and inflexible
opponents. He never has refused 10 an
swer the friendly enquiries of his advocates
as tocertain questions about which the peo-
pie we're extremely anxious, and in the So
luton OF which his character was deeply
interested. Mr. Monroe has been repeat-
IAAI i. II.