Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-09-23

10 Oe ine course ina, every hHSrictn heart
should pursue. But how diferent The
pulse of patriotism seems 10 be sill, am
national independence seem, no longer tc
be- the 10 Tiiumbhe of Americans. We
have SO far gone IN commercial luxuries,
that rather than lose them, we are willing to
bow down to that throne which we have
been taught to execrate. We have been
too long in the fashion OF habituating our
minds to foreign politics, and the idle fears
| Of Bonapartc, until we have, in fact, imper-
ccptibly contracted a blind attachment to
Great Britain, without knowing why or
wherefore.
| This passion has so completely mastered
the feelings of some of our northern bre.
lthren, that they have suffered The anglo
editors in that quarter, (who have been no
doubt inspired by the Essex Junta) to insi-
mate the dreadful hint, that unless public
measures are accommodated to their taste,
that dsunion NAV be the consequence.
We entertain no doubt, but that this is
merely the stratagem of a party who are
determined 20 brighten and alarm, if thew
cannot persuade and convince. We trust
and believe that this idea has never yet sug )
gested itself to my American in heart and
sentiment. The trite old motto, that unit.
ed we stand, divided we fall should never
be forgotten. 1t is the very hoop that en-.
braces the union, and as soon as 1t is taken
off we must naturally expect to fall to D Q
ces But, fellow citizens this is not all
| There is another danger which calls for
your energy and virus. You have party
to encounter which ifnot formid Bile in num-
Der is powerful in talents-and we might
perhaps add reputation. These are men.
who once gave an impulse to the vital CIR
Iculation of the republican body, but IRE now
at ltS rDlde ct PxtreynitieS 'Th.v ra tha,e
fore more to be dreaded. 1t is difficult
)matter to renounce our faith IN those. whom
we have been accustomed to admire for
their talents and 10 revere for their patrio
tism. But their conduct requires il, the
/ welfare of republicarism demands IT, This
perry, which is emphatically STYLED the mi
nority, has alarmed you with their c!amors,
without condescending to tell you why. They
wish you TO believe, that taey have some
foundation for their conduct, but they are
afraid to expose it. They tell you there is
something wrong. bnt they leave you to-
guess what 1t IS They tell you that patr
otism no longer exists, or if il does, that il
is nothing more than the poets description
! of friendship, ga shade that follows wealth
and fame !" or IN tue language of one, who
considers himself as a ring leader of the par
", it is in fact only auo,her name for Or
FICE HUNTING. icy tell the friends Of
the admins ration, with affected independ
ence, that hey never VIII te so object and
lhypocritical fittter w ere thew hearts
condemn. We fam would enquire, ,sho are
they that do? We never shall admit that
our min sters hold their power Jure IfUfuo
or that they enjoy 'nfallibiliy. There ne.
yer was government since the formation
; Of society whether despotic, monarChical
or republican, that was administered so as
to please everv bndy, or that did 'tconmit
some act WI ch would give plausibility 10
censure White we admit this, we can but
ask If there ever was any administration
(which pleased so many As that OF Mr.. j +
ferson's If his course h not been in eve
Try particular, suited to the fancy OF every
individual, surely while they deny infallibi
/ lily, they should make a >due allowance to
this natural frailty. We can but rep Eat,
for it is question which we delight TO ask,
| where upon the annals of ancient or modern
times viii you find an administrator more
pure, more satisfactory, and more pog slar
than that of Mr. Jefferson? 1t is even con-
fessed by our enemies abroad-,he very peo.
| pie who feel the force of his policy.
| The minority, among other Counts of ac-
! cusation, pretend TO say that he has tamper
ed with his influence and popul rity in or
! der TO elect Mr.. Madison IN exclusion to
w. -FADuAhSs uio CNNIN DiAly liiunl KNOW
to be false. The style iu which he speaks
of Mr.. Monroe about his late diplomacy is
most conclusive evidence, and that gentle
man himself would not hesitate to dispVove
it, if he considered it necessary. I! they
! have any cause to be angry at the prefer
enee of Mr., Madison, they have the people
70 blame, and nobody else. The presiden-
| tial election was never more fairly submit
ted to the people than now. AT one time it
was supposed that the caucus at Washing
ton had G ven tone and direction to their
feelings, bat they appear to have been per
ecdy un Influenced by his consideration.
In their voluntary assemblies they have
}expressed their decided preference in IA
vor of Mr.. Madison.
i When we speak Of the people in this point
of view, we mean the true republic ns.-
! We are well aware that the federalists 10
gether with other discontents who seem to
have great skill in the business, are endea.
voring to muggle in federal president.
While, fellow c tizens, we express our re-
gret and alarm az the infamed state ofthe
country, we console ourselves with the GER.
tainty that Mr.. Madison will be elecled
'Fhc times however require your utmost nc.
tivity and virtue. Corruption has grown
upon US, and we must endeavor to shake
it OF.
/ Mn P1vas.vTs