Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-02-02
RICHARD NJ. JOHNSON, Sec,
Mr.. Sa7Oyer's hrory 4vas nor received.

MT. oazVyeT>S ftrory EodS nor receipeG
The great question "wHo Shall mr.
OUR NEXT PREsIEENT," is at leng,h bro't
fully before the public. Those who here
tofore have been accustomed to take the
lead in the nomination of Candidates, have
proposed JAMES MADISON, for President.
and GEORGE CLINToN for Vice President.
TOR the four years subsequent to the currcnt
Presidential .erm. We have until this mo-
ment. refrained from publicly. expressing
any opinion OH this mementous subject, not
from the want of decided conviction upon
1t; but from a strong, an anxious wish, that
the public sentiment should be collected.
from calm and dispassionate considerable
en-, Of the subject, W thout those biasses and
prejudiccs hut too likely TO flow from a pre-
mature discussion. Aware, too, that it
might possibly produce extensive collisions,
perhaps local Invitations, among those who
on the great principles and the leaClinp mea-
sures of our republican institutions are un-
| divded, we have thought it advisable not
unnecessarily to prccipitate a discussion,
/ that might embarrass or frustrate the inn
lportant measures Of defence and protection
called for by the crisis.
| But the season has now arrived for every
independent man to speak ont /; and to ex-
ercise this prerogativc Of ii freeman with
out fear, and, it IS 10 be hoped, likewise
without reproach. While, however, this
fright is asserted with fearlessness, let il.
exercise not be sullied by intemperance.
Let IT be uniformly accompanied by a tole.
rant spirit, that in asserting It's own rights.
knows how to respect those of others
1t there be division among the repuhli-
cans, let it be candid, honorable, magnani-
nous. Let no good mans character be ira
duced to brighten that of another. Let the
virtues and talents of the respective candi-
dates be spoken of as they really are. While
we smoothing e1teNuaEe, lei rs set tloy7t
! naught in malice"
| The Nominations made by the republican
| Representatives and Senators have our de-
cided appreciation they are the nominate
| ons which we have long confidently antici.
( pated, and which we believe the great bo.
i dg of the people have expected.
I In forming this opinion we have strove
to torn an honest and impartial opinion
and in forming it, we are sensible of no BIZ.
asses personal, local, or political, not direct
rEly and necessarily emanating from a regard
, to our country from that regard, which
should at all times direct the judgment of a
good citizen, and which ought at this time
to Danish every consideration unconnected
with the maintenance of those principles,
! which have established among us the en-
| pire Of reason, and will finally, if firmly ad-
|
He, who is the best fitted to guide us thro'
the impending storm, without sacrificing
these principles, ought to be the man of our
! choice. Such, we believe. to be James Ma
olson. Whether we contemplate his ire
| proachable morals, or solid talents, we are
supplied with the strongest reasons for APP
probation. While in private life he has in
variably sustained the unassuuing charac-
ter OF modest merit, his discharge of pub
lie duty has been no less distinguished by
| intelligence, fidelity and zeal. And above
all, we consider him best fitted for the high
est honors in the gift of his country, because
amidst the various public scenes in which
he has been engaged, and in the exercise
Of the high functions devolved upon him, he
has Invariably displayed dignity and mo-
Iteration, which are at once the best evidence
and the surest preseryatiVe Of republican
principles.--.Fat. LnfeL
We have at length received the long
looked for orders of the British Council
They establish the wisdom OF the Embargo
beyond a shadow Of doubt, For so exteH-
sive and sweeping are many Of their proyi-
sons, that il is almost impossible to per-
ceive what commercial ruin might not have
Iensued from their enforcement, but for this
measure It's evident, from their general
tenor, that Britain has assumed the COM
lplete empire Of the ocean, and that in so do
ing she considers herself at perfect liberty
to treat with the utmost sang- (rofd che prin-
ciples which she has heretofore prescribed
toherselI, those deemed sacred by the whole
commercial world, and the stipulations Of
lczisting treaties between powers at amity
with each other. Under these circumstan-
ces provident government sould not have
done less than restrain the rash or dishon-
nest spirit Of enterprise whose indulgence
lhazarded the essential interests Of the ma
ton. Tohavc omitted the diSch arge Of so
sacred duty would have justly meri.ed
that reprobation, which would most assur-
edly have been bestowed by those who have
been most clamorous against the policy tf
the measure.
Among the provisions, whose injurious
effects might have been the most severely
felt 10y this country, are--thc complete and
unqualified forfeiture Of every ship and car
go which shall carry a certificate Of origin
the limitation Of our importations from
the colonies Of powers hostile 20 Britain u