Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-03-15

added to his poll, or will tend 20 defeat
the election by the electors altogether, aud
to throw the decision OF the Contest into the
hands OF the house OF representative OF the
u. ). Let Us hope therefore, that all the
staunch republicans, meme of whom desire
a change in the measures of our govern
ment, will unite in supporting James Ma
Olson in opposition to the fedora istS, QuidS
and Rande thians. These three last mem
toned parties will be too cunning TO sepa-
rate on the present occasion proof of
which is, as we understand, their determi-
nation OF running C.inton as President, and
Monroe as Vice President, by which they
hold out u lure TO the friends of the latter
to unite with them in their endeavors to de-
feat the election of their grand enemy Mr..
Madison. We fatter ourselves however,
that none but men of their own stamp will
be caught by this hire, notwithstanding all
the eloquent Recommendations the puny band
of professors with JoseJih Cay at their head,
and John Randolph at their tail and that
the cause of republicanism and virtue will
finally succeed, by the union of all its
friends, arising from magnanimous sur
render, for the public good, of all private
and personal attachments and partialities.
AN article in the +" Democratic Press
newspaper published in Philadelphia, beasts
of the firmness of George Clinton, saying it
is as easy to move the sun from its sphere
as him from his principles, and at the same
time accuses MIR. Madison of mutability,
which it describes as rendering him unwur-
thy Of the high Office of President of the u.
States.
We are not disposed to deny the republi-
can virtues md uniform frmness of Mr..
Clinton before his faculties were impaired
by time. Our present venerable President,
the failure of the full strength of whose in
tellectual powers has not been perceived by
! any body but himself, had yet had modesty
enough TO yield to the call u age and mfr
nifty, ard retire from the arduous duties of
office: but Mr.. Clinton, though much older,
and, though conscious of his inhrmities Sc
veral years ago, has now approached so far
towards state of second youth, that VIC
suppose he feels return of his mental VII
gor and is better qualified than ever to fill
the most difficult station i'm the u. S. This
may be the case but, as the miracle of bo-
ling or grinding an old man young has cea :
sed to operate since the fabulous ages, we
may be excused for doubling the rcstorati-
OH of the faculties even of so exalted per-
sonage as George Clinton, who for some
time past has been but the ruins of depar-
I
also his frmness, at present, however uii :
questionable it was formerly
! As to Mr. Madison'& mutabIity and want
of firmness, we positively deny that his con-
duct has ever Afforded any proofs of the ex :
istence of such defects in his character.
When did he ever change or vary from his
political opinions or principles?
II is true that when the party who called
themselves enormously Jederahsss, began
to deviate from and infringe the principles
of the federal constitution, Mr.. Madison, its
first founder and undertaking advocate.
without regarding the name they had usur-
ped, or his being nick-named an am. fede-
ra isl for his opposition TO their measures,
did with gallant frmness combat, and in
many instances repel their attacks upon that
sacred instrument, which is truly the palla-
dunn of our liberties. For this he was
stigmatized by the false .federaEsts as a
turn-coat, who had forsaken their cause :
! but we never expected to have seen the
charge repeated in these times by demo-
cratic printer. The charge is however, SO
ridiculousIy opposite to the whole tenor Of
Mr.. Madison's political career, that we
shall say no more on the subject.