Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-09-06
Dlrglata Nraus.
r 1 c H M o N d:
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 1905

Vt is as much the case with political bo.
dies as 1t rs with individuals, that when they
busy themselves too much i'm other D rsons'
affairs that they are too apt to neglec. their
OWL There is no time so favorable to up-
start ambition as when the attention of the
people is diverted from the true principles
OF their political happiness-as when thew
neglect to canvass particular characters to-
see II they have not swung from their
mooring, and when they exchange these i'm.
portant and interesting enquiries for boot
less speculatons upon foreign revolutions.
The nature of our government demands un-
wearied vigilance, and the virtue upon
which 1t is constructed should be uncea-
singly cherished. When the feeling which
inspires this investigation loses its tone and
gives way to lethargy, it is AN unerrine
prelude to intellectual depravs ty, which NAV
be said to be an unerring stroke at republi
can prosperity.
The destiny of other Countries in relation
to our commerce requires constant attenti-
on, but 1t should never SD completely pos.
sess the public mind AS to Danish these en-
quirles AZ home. WHAT Can be more in
teresting to an American, than 10 con.emp-
iate the beaut es of has political IL ory, s. To
sec that their bloom aud freshness should
never fade and s,ckenin practice To keen
stedfast and unwinking eye upon The
administration, tn prevent is departure
from first principles; frequent recur-
renee to which is the best Safeguard OF our
righs.
The public mind however, instead of
these considerations appears to be too much
enveloped in French and Span sh business
The subject of home a4dirs appears TO
be entirely supplanted b conjectir.s abou,
the termination of European STRUGGLES
IL there ever was PROCESSION which deman
ded virtue and activity, it is at this very
moment, when various charges of corrupt.
on are loudly advanced against the adm
nistrat;on.
1t is necessary that the people should
Took dboUt them and direct their attention.
to their own matters. We would fam ask
fellow citizens, If corruption has not gene
rally some corresponding design in view,
that II the administration wished to pros
trate your RICH S at the throne o. usurpari-
on, why the great man who has Conducted
/ IL 1or eigat years should have waited until
now when he voluntarily abandons the
means, and desceuds from his elevation m
kbecome one Of the people. IF designs of
this cast ever played around mis- brain wnv
difl he noS avail himself of the prop tious
moment when his virtues c.scited such uni
versai soiictude for his Continuation in of
nee. The, hour of success for treacherv,
Is mat OF unsuspecring confidence, which we
all know he has njoycd to the m 81 hatter-
tsrinS degree. The administration hes
been invariably conducted upon the princi
! p es upon winch it was raised, ami meyer
has lost sight of the great object of psace at
home and diSentangle men. abroad. The
powers OF Europe have exercised their
mastery skill in intrigue to entrap, and
tneir brow beating measures to alarm, but
they have both been disd ained bv the adj
ministration, as our pre- sent tranquility fully
eVlnces. is not this If itself amply suFIici-
ent TO inspire the deepest CO tempt az the
ridiculous charges of French fear and Br,.
tish hatred. But you are told by wav oF e.
violence to the LIST, that the embarg,, vas
dictated by no other princirje 4. viii be
recoiiected that during the federal admi
mstrdtion whenever Mr. ADAMS vas accu.
sed vt improper cend ct, that n vas the
constant cry of the fsderalists To- saw. Gthat
ne himself could not adopt such measures.
and that therefore Congress was to blame.
) We will not how YER avail ourselves of
this apparent sophistry, but wi .hout IN /.
smallest hesitation we will saw that If the
President had not recommended this mea.
sure he would have deserved the censure
OF every american heart. The honor of
our nag and the independence of our nation
would have been tti7ed aDay for tn patry
commerce it might please his majesty to
grant.
1t might be said independent of the in
trlnsic necessity otthe embar go, that it was
impresslvely demanded by the flame of re-
sentiment which was kindled a little while
before by British murder and invasion. =
Every bosom then appeared 20 swell with
national honor, and every tongue to pray
for vengeance.
This temper of mind would have iusti6ed
alt the horrors ofwar, much less the little
restrictions and privations of the embargo,
which at the same time answers every pTr-
pose better than war What then has he
come Of that patriotism which beamed
forth at that time, or is it possible that if
can have subsidized into affection for that We =
| ry power which inflicted the monstrous ON. :
rage. These, fellow citizens, arc subjects
infinitely more important than the distur-
Dances IN Europe. Political virtue was ne
YER so imperiously demanded as at this
time, In support of republican principles
aud to destroy inimicaI factions.
Inc embargo opponents, the minority
men, and the federalists are indefatigable
IN their schemes. "Plots are laid and in
auctions dangerous" The next presiden.
ual election is a subject Of awful moment
Ooth m regard TO our honor as a nation, and
our principles as a reDu ic C,reat Ri