Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-10-04


$ his state, is most likely TO be secured, and
" by Which minority may be prevented from
ehecung their purpose Thus it is mani
testify evident to the most ordinary mimi that
the object of this doctrine is to give ascendan-
cy to the majority ola party. and not to the re-
a. ntao'Tty of the nation. This doctrine is en-
ureiy applicable to the state ofVirginia, as YOU
yourself admit, when you ask, (speaking ofthe
iegislature) Are they 70 consult The voice of the
people IN any other state /? This has nere, been
Suggested Dire tleyto cossuit the voiee ofthe oeo-
pc Of the United Slater? How are they TO knorp IL
" course the sc Sc of other states was com
pietely discarded from your view, and YOU were
entirely thinking ofthe majority of Virginia, the
majority OF republicans, the majority of a party
w.'eh now appears to be odous and insig
nihcant IN your estimation. You were then for
imposing silence upon the minority, and for de
stroying their very political existence, and now
you come forward to speak with great deal of
ahected lberality about real n.ajoyifies and that
every man should form his own opinion, and
pursue the dictates ofhis own Judgment This
Is u species of regeneration that is excusable
at the bar. but upon subject where personal
considerations should have no influence, it is
objectionable.
II this was intended as a stroke of conciliati-
on with the fedcra'sts. and to induce them to
iorih an alliance with YOU, you are most wocful-
~ ihistaKei--i hey are not to be entrapped and
hoodwinked into party scheme, in which
they are TO act merely rs the instrument of re-
Iorsi' and perhaps never to experience any be-
neit from the change
can assure YOU. sir, that it is the popular
opinion, and it might as well be expressed now
as at any other time, that the federalists stand
in'cn higher. in the estimation of the people,
.nah the party of which YOU seem to be the
chiet agent. This is not the only inconsistent
~ m which you are involved, that you now
s,niic with competency upon that body oil peo-
PIE, upon whom little while since, you frow-
"eu win the most unmeroiiul execration. You
! say YIN your late address) that YOU conscient-
ousiy believe that the course which YOU pursue,
ieads more directly to the promotion of the best
interests OF the United States, than that recon
inehued by the cauc,Ises at Washington and
the Bell Tavern in this city. Hence it would
seem that Won had no kird of faith in iegisla-
1--WE caucus, and that it is a very false medium,
through which we are to understand the wish
es OF the people. Let us see what YOU said in
aooU. " II IS true that ninety three members
OF the General Assembly in their private cha
ractcrs convened together, and formed tick
CT containing the names of 81 persons. for
whom they themselves mean TO votes and
whom they have recommended to the choice
OF their republican fellow citizens and it
| must be admitted to be extremely probable
| = that a freehoider. weak enough to be more
sollcItous about men than principle, and who
| WIN not vote for the persons thus recommen-
. ued Will throw away his suffrage. He that
VIII not go. with others, must go alone. a.
| gam, either 81 persons would have been re
commended to the people by some one man
| UT set Oh men, certainly not more worthy of
:, oea't a'a confidence, than those from whom the
| present recommendation pro .ecds in VIII oh
case the evil complained of would be precise :
| ~ the same or worse" This was intendt. /
| as an answer, to the federal objections to the
general ticket, but at the same time il acknow-
ledges the most implicit faith in a Legislative
eaucus.) Observe, impartial reader, how the
| same writer speaks of counteractng minor-
| tyeaueus, something very like the one held in
favor OF Monroe at the capitol last winter Here
tis. Even before the law had passed the Sc
nate, the Y minority of the General Assembly
| convened IN committee room, and EMPLOY
ed several hours, it is said, in selecting from
the districts, where the thing zvas pJactica-
" Bile, a friend of Mr.. Adams.,'
| COROLLARIES.
The author OF Franklin was once in favor of
me destruction of the minority to favor the de
Signs OF the majority of Virginia, the majority
OF the republicans, the now accursed majority
Of q parry.
4 He was at the same time violent advocate
Tor legislative caucus, because he thought il
would encourage republican ascendancy; but
| now behold! A caucus is a most vile associa-
\ enN why nSCauSe tney VIII not be Etlld-
ed by him because in fact they wouldnot pre-
Ter Mr.. Monroe to Mr. Madison The minori-
ty, name once so detestable, is now under the
most benign and liberal feelings, included in
what we call (rccollecting the author who u
ses ~ most cABALIsrIc expression, the real
npG1orny cf the nation. In speaking of the per-
sons who at that time constituted the minority,
| ne observes, " Thus the same persons who re :
probate the law under consideration, because
" OF Its arlstocratical tendency, declaim against
lit with equal warm h, because tbe votes of the
" minority are nor counted If, say they, there be
T" $4,000 votes in favor of one candidate, and
F" 2O,OOO IN favor of the other, under the sys
tenn now adopted, the votes of $4,000 free
"hoiders pass for nothing This no wever The
"contnues) is defamation only. The votes
" Of the minority OF Congress, though support
" ed with great ability, and undertaking recti-
tude and hrmness, pass for nothing. In our
Legislature, IN our courts, in our county electi
SONS, the voice of the minority is without eff
eject" &c. &c. In what situation does the at,.
thor of Franklin now stand That he is in the
minority, no person can possibly doubt Who
then can reconcile his principles as a majority
man with those a minority man
1t was observed in the commencement OF
these remarks, that the inconsistency OF this
gentleman would tend to develope the nature
and object of him and the party which he fol
lows.
He will pardon us if we do not feel the influ
ence which lac describe, when he says where