The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-08-05

Il
1centricities; &that Mr.. Randolph is peculiar
iiy boid ana honest politician, capable OF be-
ing q faithful centinel for the state and though
not able to so right himself, yet vigilant e.
nough to keep others from going wrong.
For my own part, Gentlemen, much as I
admire the native genius * epigrammatic ell
oquence of Mr. Randolph, / do not think
him qualified for. this refined and invidious
censorship. OF what use are I" those high
and naughty sentiments, which arc the great
est supports of independence" when their
possessor is the slave of himself? of what
avail are the most honest intentions, when
the understanding is uniformly distorted by
impetuosity & passion A centinel should not
oRlybe incompatible, but cool, unimpassion.
ed, capable OF measuring the dimensions of
every object and the magnitude of every
danger. Nothing must loom to his imagi-
nation; nothing must induce him to sound the
tecsin OF alarm, unless there exists some re-
al necessity for awakening the vigilance ofthe
country. The man who is continually cry
ing out, that danger is approaching when
there is no danger, contributes only to relax
this saiutary vigilance, and to fortify that
power which he wishes to abridge. LIE
the Shepherds boy in the fable, his alarms
will be ridiculcd and disregardcd. Though
his predictions may oe true, as those of Cas-
sandra, yet like hers they will be despised.
Look at the contemplate party, which Mr..
Randolph's opposition has hitherto drawn "a
round him. Look at the measures, which
he has hitherto arrested by the force of his
warnings and the terror OF his demonstrations:
Count up the number of measures, which
TINS politician has lately carried. Behold him
even on one or two occasions, declining to sup
port a favorite measure. lest his advocation
might be sufficient to damn it.-Let these
triumphs display the benefits, which you, gem
tiemen, are to receive from this political Cen
scrship OF your representative.
WehdUr, however, gone along on the sup
position, that if Mr.. Randolph was a fitman
tor Censor, a Censor was absolutely neces-
sary. And now, gentlemen, permit me to
ask you, why you should be bound to furnish
this centinel of the public liberties. 1t would
surely be disagreeable duty to be devolved
on any district. To delegate Representa-
tive to congress, who would not only check
the measures of your favorite admnistrati-
on, but even your own wishes, would certain
ly he one OF those public sacrifices, which a
republican district would rather be disposed
| 20 evade, than to assume. BY what particular
obligation is 1t, that your district is thus re-
luctantly compelled to tether itself to the
altar! Because criminals NAV ID, Cur
rupt, and executioners may be wanting, is
that any reason why should WELD the axe
or othciatc at the sallows> Before would
consent to assume these honorable badges of
disgrace, let me at least enquire, whether
some equally competent person is not more
| ustHng to wear them.
fou may depend upon it, gentlemen, this
race OF carping political critics will never
be eAtinYuishei, SO long as there is single
federal district in the United States to give
federal vote. These inveterate enemies
will never yield their opposition to the
vie VS. OF the administration. oil. To the inter
ests OF their country. There is certainly a
sufficient number of these men to oppose eve
ry thing that is good and to suspect every
/ thing that may be wrong. Let us leave it to
the rederaiists to sport and riot in the ken
nels or SANDER; and fling their filthy abuse
upon the republican party. Let us reserve
this brilliant and meritorious Office for the
Keys, the Danas. and the GARDENERS. But
by every thing that is due to the ancient md
established character of this commonwealth.
let US attempt to preserve the delegation of
Virginia. clear, independent and uniform in
their principles, the guardians of our rights
and the friends ofthe people
| Have you looked forward, Gentlemen, to
the scene which will be displayed lu-
ring the nert administration a majority
OF you admire the character and conduct of
James Madison. Your hearts have beat
| "hSh YOU surveyed tne ser
wees, and scanned the talents which have
been uniformly devoted to his country-
when You saw the diplomatic skill with
which he has SO lately indicated the dear
est rights OF this country, and the ease
with which he put down the sophistries of
the mercenary Swiss" of the British 90
vernment. You, Gentlemen, would reward
him with the first Office in the gift of free
people Behold him then the first niagis-
trate of this great and rising Republic, at a
crisis perhaps big with foreign dissentions,
WHICH require all our energy and all our
skill to meet. AT these trying times, Gen
tlemen; permit me to ask what is your most
solemn duty!
VIII you employ man as Your renresen-
tatiVe, who fundamentally differs frora vour-
selves as to the means of treating these dis
Sentions; man, whose systerif of policy is
even at this time so wild and auspicious to
Great-Britain, that he would embargo our
own vessels, and suffer her to carry on all
our trade, reap the enormous profits Of buy
ing and selling on her own terms, and main
tain system which she would have thus no
interest to exchange VII! yo;: send a maj,
to the II. OF Representatives, to deal out his
opposition and abuse against the very man.
who is the president Of your choice, Mr..
Randolph is to be systematic opponent of
the next administration. Some little respect
tor the great man who now rules or. desti-