Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-10-18
A CURSORY SKETCH OF FEDERAL.
ISM.
THE MEETING ON YESTERDAY.

a COkSOkf SkE ICH OF FEEDER AL-
ISM.
THE MEETING ON YESTERDAY.
The kderalists, few years back, were
the most idolatrous friends of Hamilton,
who was killed by his political oppo
nent, Burr, who was the object of their
most deadly execration. Some years after
this, Burr became an apostate and a trail.
tor, and was tried in Richmond for the trea-
son, when the federalists forgot their for
mer resentment and paid the same idola-
trous respect to him. Who can reconcile
this most Earring inconsistency!
The federalists, a few years back, were
the most violent and memorable persec utors
of Monroe. but now they are equally vio-
lent in his favor. And why We dare
them TO answer. 1t will either ruin
Monroe, or make their own political cha
racter contemplate beyond expression.
at least true to their text, and that thev
deserved the respect due to I" the merit of
consistency" and the virtue of adhering
with consistency to their own principles.
BUT LOOK All THIS
ga meeting of the Federal Republicans
"of the city OF Richmond and town Of Nam
"chester, is requested at the Bell Tavern,
"to-day, Mt IL o'clock, in order to decide
Hupon the candidate, who they will sup
sport for President Of the United States,
sat the ensuing election. AS this is intend
"ed to be meeting of federalists only, it
"is hoped that none others will attend.
"October 18th, 1905"
The object of this meeting was, to declare
their reliance and decided preference in
behalf of Monroe lonce the Beelzebub of
democra,s) notwithstanding, in many other
parts of the United States,a federal candi-
date, who has been invariably a federalist,
is nominated or the presidency. What is
the meaning of all this Most evidently that
they think Monroe departed from his in.
structions, merely TO gain the good will of
Great Britain, TO which they feel the stron-
gest allegiance in their hearts, or that they
advocate Monroe, entirely from spirit Of
hatred tn the present administration, which
they feel from many other causes, besides
the late one, that the president refused TO
accept treaty whichsurrendered urdear-
est rights, and because, like an independ-
ent American, he would not trust upon that
faith which, even treaties could not enforce
Mr.. Monroe was willing to hazard the safe
ty 6fthe American citizen upcn the honor.
ofa Lord, when the counc | of the nation
were constantly issuing instructions to break
those laws, which every virtuous tie, binds
the society OF nations to respect. But it
may he almost unnecessary to make these
observations when we recellect the number
of Scotchmen and Englishmen and other
foreigners that were assembled in this Ba-
bel convocation. If the native federaiists
expected any great degree of respect 10
be paid to their resolutions, they ought not
10 have permitted this current of British
affection to have flowed upon them. When
this was known to be the design of the meet
ing, why did not the minority men likewise
unite The curtain is now hoisted, and
the farce they are playing has already af-
fOrded laughter to the RESPECTABLE audience
OF the people, and it is perfectly unreces-
sary for them to remain any longer in their
uneasy situation. This meeting, together
with the others, will merely serve to wake
the republican majority from their slum-
Der, when this impotent opposition will
hide its insignificant head.
The last and mosf correct infeiEp renee abouf
This MIGHTY MEETING.
The meeting has fast dissolved. Upon
enquiry az 10 the result, we understand
thai Mr.. Monroe was unanimously propos
ed for the presidency, agreeable to an adj
dress, which was presented and read by
Daniel Call, Esq. We made some enquI-
ries as TO the composition of this meeting,
and understood that it was most resheef-
able meefinS aud, also, that there were
Scotchnen and Englishmen of the number
This induced US TO enquire what was the
real number. To our astonishment, from
what had been said, the reply was, that
there were about 81 or So. We pursued
our enquiries and asked, why they should
so zealously advocate a man, whom they
had so violently prescribed The reply
afforded eQnai aston shment, " that they be-
lieved Mr.. Monroe had seen his error, and
would pursue the federal system"
We are told that the conduct of the mino-
rity, or that Of col. Monroe's friends, is not at
all calculated TO diminish the republican as
rdancy, and that they are astonished to
pei ceive a temper which inclines toward,
their denunciatiOn. We admit, with them,
that u IL the duty Of every man, TO form
and express his independent opinion but
when that opinion can answer no good pur.
pose, and when, too, il may produce some
inlurtus consequences, we say that il evin.
ces a degree of the most culpable obstinacv.
This obstinacy may be justified upon a diff
terence OF principle, but when there are two
candidates, holding the same tencts Oasis
admittcd) and one Of them Is preferred bv
a considerable majority, we contend that
the few should be guided by the many, and
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