Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-08-09

=, ''' $500 "'"o'~f'., Al PA"nS,
From the Petersburg {rtciEgenerr.
Cogsisteucy.--1ye have heard much Of the con-
sistency of Mr.. John Randolph, since the COM
rnencement of his present career. We shall
endeavor to sketch few evidences of this dis
tinSrished trait i'll the genticman's character,
selected IN great measure from the speech of
Mr.. Holland, on the bill vesting in the Presi-
dent power to susp nd the embargo, under
certain conditions. The sketch is considerably
condensed. lest we should occupy more room
thn is necessary to prove what every body
ought to know, that Mr.. RS. consistency, con-
sists ~ an opposition to every measure OF The
present administration good or bad.
When Spain insuired us on the Sabine, he
was Tor raising an army, and chastsing Bona
parte, without ceremony.
But when Britain murdered the crew Of he
Chesapeake, and the orders in council render
ed an appeal to arms probable, he considered
an army as dangerous and o. no use.
, In go, Britain was a sea nonster.--In 1906,
she is fighting the battles of the world.
IL 1906, five took posse ssion oftle British
provinces, we would catch Tartar At me
trHe they were unimportant at an ,ther, thew
were valuable as hostages to insure US good
terms AT lie conclusion ofpeace.
Lost fall, he w for marching to Canada
without ceremony--but a few visits to MIR.
Keys and the British minister's "c0oed his
porridge, and.he could then see nothing for
which we ought to so to war
He voted for ,ortifcations-but would no;
raise 5000 men 10 b. stationed in them.
lie ridiculed Jays treaty--6ut supported
Monroe's, which was worse
On the 18th of last December, m embargo
was our only weapon. On the next day it was
a bad one
One day IL operated solely against England
the next 1t WAS the only measure she wanted.
One day It was stroIg-the next weak.
One day we have no cabinet-the next the
executive arm is too strong.
Tie most venerable sages in congress are the
objects of his abuse and derision-,5ut when he
fes Is the lash, the interpostion of the chair is
demanded.
He demands explanations when he has been
misunderstood but refuses the same privilege
! when he is msrepresenting others.
These are apart of the Inconsistencies otthe
very consistent Mr.. Rsndolph.-It is strange
that such man should be courted, praisedand
| battered.
The Attorney General of the United States
has given his opinion inthe case of lIinaa,nus,
issued by the District Courtof the l.. 5. tor the
South Carolina District. He considers the Is
suing Of lAandaauS by that court IS an rs.
I sumption of power, and a right constitutionaly
vested in the Supreme Court ofthe u S. alone
and cites the case OF Marbury IS. Madison,
wherein that court refuses o interpose, te shev
] the lInHropriety of such interference. Consid.
erlng that the executive of the u. S. derives 1t.
| power from the constitution and law, the exc.
cutive officers are on constrained TO perfor-
nance OF their special duties by Ladictntent not
I Ma aplas. lie observes, that in England, the
! wit OF 1aaufatnws is a prerogatice writ; issued
/ blythe Court of Kings bench alone. An inter.
| p ,sitcn of the Judiciary in the present case,
/ amounts 10 the assumption of power by one
I branch of The government from another branch
! whose duties gre particularly assigned by the
constitution A course ofprocedurc by inlict.
IN nj differs materially from .seouEse by lIEaria
mus the former is TO defend rhe rights OF the
! parliament against the influence of the crown
while the Iatter i designed to support the pre-
! rogatrve rights of the King from the encroach-
ment of the legislative branches OF tile English
! government The opinion OF he Attorney &c.
neral is clear and lucid, supported BY rresisti
bic argument and legal iacti and goes Ear Ia de
stroy that operative influence, which the fede
raj party expect TO use, by means of the Judi
ciary, 10 mar the proceedings Of the executive
in the discharge of their great and important
national duties. In fact; the issuing of a wri
OF 1lfGm,a'ngs, by District Court is considered
as an assumption by the Judiciary, both of the
les slative and executive duties, and rs such
ought not to be submitted to. The issuing o
DiandaniRs wrltis an act OF original juriSdicti
or, and as such is vested in the Supreme Cur
OF the United States, who alone, blythe constitu
ton, possess the right of original Jurisdiction.
american.