Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-09-30

You say that the sentiments of the people
cannot be ascertainei " until the election
is over" and especially in times like these
so fruitful in events" We are then to
form no calculation, nor even to speculate
with any inference from what has past, nor
from what the people have already declar-
ed. 1t is In your conceptions mere lottery,
and there is no telling what may turn up.
we are sorry that YOU have no faith in the
manly and unbiased declarations of the
people, but we rejoice in the conviction thai
1T will be impossible for YOU to prove to
them, that they have been either mistaken or
corrupted. You eDdeavor to force your
reasoning into the old moral proverb, that
we must judge of men by their actions and
not by their Professions. Hence that we
must wait, until the election has actually
taken place. How does this reasoning APP
ply to yourselves Most of you boast Of a
long life OF consistency, as hatcnt of pro-.
baton, for your political characters. Yon
have only given US half of your creed in
tins manifesto, but the people know the
rest. And # we were to Judge of you by
your actions, according to this old precept,
your !" merit of consistency" aud your pro-
tessed republicanism would avail you no !.
thing. You say that you worship the prin.
ciple, that the majority shall govern, and
agreeable to your actions, you are endea-
voring TO lessen that majority. rou once
belonged to the republican majority, but
as you wont admit OF reasoning by lnfe
renee, We must enquire whether your ac
mons still entitle YOU to that stand. In
TINS enquiry we find you absent. So that
the people must consider you, as having
deserted, and it is in vain for Won to an
peal, To zchat you haze been. We do not
blame you gentlemen, and we hope that
You whl not understand US IN that light, for
your preference of Mr.. Monroe but we do
most PROFESSIONALLY bl.me you, for acting
this mos, uncommon part in these hn,es,
so fruitful Of eventS. Some of YOU are
known a The ayowed partizans of the mi
nority, and the minority to say no more, is
believed, no' only TO be unfriendiy to the
present administration, bu5 are determined
to attack the next, from the very commence
ment. We admit that you have drawn a
striking portrait of Mr.. Monroe, but
bright and lovely as it is, it filings no shade
upon that of Mr.. Madison. MIR. Monroe
may deserve an everything monument to
his revolutionary services, but how many.
others were az this Feast Of CTISEiau, " and
who can likew sc strip up their sleeves and
shew their scars" We admit that his
character in every department of life re.
hects lustre upon himself, and entities him
to the love and confidence of the people,
but of the last and best reward to a great
mind, you are endeavoring to deprive him
1t is only necessary to look at the History
Of America, 10 draw forth equal admira-
Ion from every generous and impartial bo-
som, in favor of Mr.. Madison. We find
nm taking his stand at the formation of
government, and boldly advancing those
political truths. to which we have been so
much Indebted for our political happiness.
1t is not our intention to enter into de-.
allied account OF his meritorious life, it is
die and necessary, because IL is well
known TO the people aud you Yourselves
acknowledge his talents, ,ntegrity and ser
Dlces. They have Witnessed Ihe combined
attack of malice and calumny, wh,ch
has been made upon him. And what has
I proved! That his virtues hung TOO high
or their reach, and in making IN effJrt,
% seduce away the affections ofthe people
hey have made them more ardent and IN
.iterablo. Ii there was the smallest syunp.
ON OF ditfidence in regard to Nv Mddi-
'on, the unqualified abuse of the federalis $,
lnd the still more euvenomed aims of the
minority, are sufficient and ought to render
rim more dear to the people. When we
~A~' ~ VIZ VI ~ VIC nflu nun adj
Tocating the very doctrine which is now
and the most Underwriting CON
stency of prnc pie.
The extract which we are about To in
ert, Is no less picsure Of tie stale of par
les then, than it IS now. What was the
anguN sc then "'Fhat it was a common
assertion, that the Madisonian measures
we're warlike, and that those of the oDDo- !
lite party were lcific? THIS assertion has
'een SO often and confidently repeated, that
think 1t NOT Improbable that some may
ave swallowed it down for trurh bur i /!
wants but q moments examin ton, 10 shezy /
IS fdisity The language of the Mad;so. !
ians to the court of Great Britain vas |
Deliver up cur posts and pay us for the
awiess depredatons you have made upou
ur trade, or We vii, whaJl Not Fl sht Won, |
o obtain justice, but will make your own
eopie, obige you to do us iu,tice. bv |
reaking off ,rade with you, till YOU do
The alternative Of the other party was
10 US justice, or we viii fight YOU. Who
an doubt when thus truly stated, which
measures were the most pacific"
Is II not evident that the same principle
'hich distinguished The Federalists and re-
Vblicans in 90 still continue to this dav.
nd YET You as hrofeSsed republicans are |
rying into the tomb OF federalism TO find
ut what they said, to act, as they did, and
ow come forward to the world with the
Veliest appearance of patriotism, with
le5S dec yed PRINCIPLES a. your -, d.