Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-03-15
Dtr9ln1a argn8.
RIG H NJ 0 N d /:
TUESDAY, MARCH IS, 1908.


pcated efforts to excite inveterate enmity be-
tween tbs friends of Monroe and Madison, and
10 set those great and good men in array against
each other, as if their political principles were
opposite, or they would pursue different lines
of policy. Tho strongly attached 20 the cleo
ton of Mr.. Madison, because we conceive him
to be the choice of the great majority of the
republicans in the United States, and believe
him To be superior in abilities, even TO his H.
ustrious competitor, yet, we cannot regard
with patience the injury which the character
OF the Latter appears to be in danger of sustain
| ing, we'll from 1hc unjust insinualions Of
hls enemies, as TIE njudicious support ofsome
OF his friends. We cannot believe that Jan,es
Monroe, the sincere patriot and honest repub-
lican, can have condcscended, for electioncer-
ing purposes, mot wthstanding his uniform
declarations in bnblis of warm appreciation of
the present administration To utter reproach-
es IN Private against its most important Inea-
sures We firmly believe him to be infinitely
superior TO conduct OF this sort, and that, If
any expressions have fallen from him in the un-
reserved intimacy OF confidential intercourse,
which some of his oyer-Zc .lous advocates
have construed into proofs Of hostil,y on his
! part to the course " hich has been taken rela-
| tive to foreign affairs, his meaning has
been misunderstood, or misrepresented He
may, perhaps, have said that i'll the stage at
viii Ia the negotiation st9od when MIR. Pnckney
was sent "a England, the mission OF that gen
tleman was, in lis opinion, unnecessary and
that, in consequence of the advantage taken
of that circumstance by the British cabinet,
| the progress of the business, was delayed until
after the death of Mr.. Fox.-So far he may
have gone in familiar conversation, without
intending to censure the administration or Mr.
Madison Cts chief organ, secretary ofstate)
in the least; which is evident from the consi.
Iteration thar, ut the precise time when Mr.
FiHc6aey was sent, 1t was impossible for the pre-
sdent or secretary 10 know, as accurately as
Col Monroe himself, who was engaged IN the
business how far he had progressed towards
its completion it was also impossible for them
TO toresee the death Of Mr.. Fox, and the con-
sequent detriment to our interests. OF all this
a man of Col. Mowoe's excellent sense must
be fully sensible. Considering therefore the
goodness of his heart, and how far his charac-
ter is remote from hypocrisy and artificc. we do
not hesitate 20 prom our full persuasion
that, in mentioning any of the particulars we
have referred TO, II has never beenhis intention
to accuse Mr.. JeSerser or Mr.. Madison of ha-
wing acted improperly, at any rate not to imputs
10 them any unyvortiy a1otipes but onlv 20 give
a faithful narrative of circumstances, which
had an unfortunate effect i'll retarding and even
tually preventing successful termination of
his own embassy. We venture to assert with
confidence that Mr. Monroe sine erely and avoy-
eddy approves of the rejection of the instru-
ment called a treaty, which was sent over by
/ Mr.. Rinc&ney and himself as the u.ti,natun,
that could at that time be obtained from Great
Britain; that he approves of the embargo, and
possesses so much OF the spirit of 1776 as to
| be equally wiling 10 go to war with thar com
Try, or with France. whenever it shall be neces-
lsary for the purpose of maintaining the rights
lof America but like .1eGerson and Madison
Iprefcrs peace with all the world, so long as II
can be preserved without sacrificing those
rights In short we do not doubt that his no
litical PRINCIPLES the same wi h those of The
present administration, and that, if elected pre-.
sident, lie would. it not deceived and misIed
by those whonow support his election endea.
vo. to tread in he steps of his glorious prede.
Iccssor both in respect to foreign and dome tic
affairs How cruel then and how shameful is
1t. in his seeming friends, but in reality dan.
ee1oRs enemies, to be proceeding in course
which if not cOunteracted, will speedily ruin
his reputation altogether, by setting him up as
an antagonist OF the wise, firm, and impartial
conduct of our administration towards FOREIGN
nations by pretending that he is under British
influence, and wished treaty to be sanction.
ed from which the tyrannical lords Of the ADM.
rally had expunged the recognition OF one oi
/ our most essential rights. and which connect.
ed with the reservation verbal made by the
British government contained in fact nothing
,n our favor! How insjduous is it, IN the Ee.ls.
ydiistS particularly, to pretend to BE- tie friends
of Col. Monros's election, and vet to be TAKING
measures to bias; his we'll earned glory and
popularity forever. by ranking him with Bur,
and other unprDcipled intrigtcrs! How abo.
Ininable is it in them topretcnd that he will il
elected, desert his former principles, and car.
ny on the government on some new plan, in
opposition to that excellent one which Thor, az
! Jefferson has marked out for the imitation OF
his successors
All this, however, is not at all SURPRISING in
the Feaeraiiss, who, no doubt. bear in their
hearts equal hatred both to Monroe and Mad
son. and whose system has always been to df.
vide with the vain hopes Of con7neriaq tie re-
publican party but we think truly astonisb.
! ing that the republican friends Of Col Monroe
do not see the Periious abyss into which they
are plungiug him and themselves
From Information received from all quarters
1t appears, that the Clnt0nians are getting tn be
a very formidable party, and, perhaps, thro' the
division Of the republicans. may succeed with
the aid Of tile fcdcralists, who, wilfnaturaIIy
prefer 10 either Of the other candidates the uc.
nerabie bat Old and debiiifated Clinton, whose
mind exhausted, by age, Of all its energy, NAV
more easily be subjected To their influence, or
duped by their intrigues
! II Is said that PeiHsyivapia IS well as Neto-
| lIork viii be for Clinton and that his friends
count with certainty, or, at least, very positive
| ", ON eighty four Of the electoral votes. This
being the case, the Importance Of a coalition
| between the republican friends Of Bfaaison and
Moaror becomes every day more apparent
and yet some political usy-bodies are every dav