Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-09-23
DlrgINla SNrGes.
RIG H M o N d:
o! TEMponA!O! MoaEs!
FRIDAY. SEPTEMBER IS, 1903.


We never perhaps had more cause to
make this exclamation than now. Our
republic seems 10 have arrived a, its most
critical siege, and what renders it mare
awiully Interesting, is the evident decay
OF thai virtue upon which il was originals
constructed. The spirit offs is frequent,
ly invoked; but merely for the purpose Of
throwing its holy mantle, around that dis
asirous temper, which seems bent upon
commotion and innovation. When we
look at the picture of the times under pas
administrations, we shall perceive no fea
lures SO deformed, as those which alarm
our attention now If I'VE look further back
to our situation, when we bad just dssolv.
ed The Gem mt that bound us 20 tyran.
ny, we shall then see the pure ma estic
Fame OF patriotism: We shall see thai
our forefathers had placed themselves in
the very situation of which so many now
complain; they had in fact passed an en-
largo, and he that would not subscribe 10
1t, wasdeemsd wanting in love to his coun.
iry, and he that was guilty Of It's violation,
was published by name as fixed figure
TOR the hand OF scorn TO point al. As we
come along down with the times we MAY
observe frequent confiict OF opinion, and
not unIrequen,y irfa med with harshnes.
and intempstaacr A; but we may lock il,
vain for tina; party of men who would bar
ter their national glory for gold in one
hand while the other was uplli' ed with
III rod OF injustice and chas { meut -
Even a. that irteres ing period when one
series Of opinions gave way 10 the success
sion OF another, when the federalists and
repub cans were almost sworn enemies,
our prosperity vas l. Gnitsly in less das.
ger. soon al err his the passions Of par
ties seemed to su6side into forgetfuness,
and the feCleralists were apparently incln
ed To Join with the republicans, IN he sup.
port of that adminis.ra ion which al f ist
they so vehemeniy opposed So much so,
that but few years back the present adj
ministranon was the most popular that
ever existed But ii would seem that this
was intended TO decoy snd deceive, that
they watched in heir slumbers, and BE-
came mare envenomed IN their apathy
Upon the first appearance OF Justification
they threw of he drowsiness of oespera
ton, AID appeared mere Fancorous than
ever, and perhaps m"re formidable 7 he
federal character was once supposed to
possess that kind Of virtue which it would
have been vice to want--a Conscientious
difference Of opinion. Bot now they ma,
be said most truly to have los: every IRA
of that character in he bold determine
lion 10 DESTROY or to dictate. ], may be
asserted wish fearless confidence, that there
is more British bribery and aiicc,ion ~
his country At this time Than ever was
known before. Whether ledera m bas
been invigorated Eom this cause or no.
We Cannot decide, but ii has been proven
o the north, thai some one OF the editors,
who is almost the Apollo Of the party.
hss been updsr his ignuminiousi auence.
We fear ihst here are too many of tia,
cast who worship The British NJ das, more
ban the American Eagle. And il is also
much tobe lamenied hal there are so ma.
ny foreigners here from that kingdom
whose objeet is only TO acquire wealth
WHICH they consider as the apostolic key
hai opcVs upon every euioym-nt.
There is no doubt, but there are many o!
Them, az well as many of the federalis $,
who are morally worthy, and politically Yir-
tu3u, but there are others Ola widely diff
terent stamp, who ex crate the very go.
vernmeut that fosters them, and who even
bill dc6aace 10 the iQqvs IN the late in.
stance Of the vessel which sailed from this
port, and of wpiCh we gave an account in
1ur last, we n We been Informed that a
certain SC tchman acted the first charac
Ter in The p {, and that whenever rebuked
uSln ~ Yufr a., re would. in the language
nf uablu.hry mpudence and folly, say, {"
dop't care. bid defiance to the Embargo
itis IS indeed ingratitude of the deepest
dye. p rtlcniarly when it is recollected
that this Mr.. Leslie has risen from the
very dust and ashes of poverty into wealth,
by literally making bread, and that Hghf
bread, 100. Such appears to be the TEN
per Of Foreigners, which of itself would
almost Justify Us in adopting the course The
Athenians, who, at first, opened an asylum
To all strangers, buI soon afterwards found
it necessary to- eXpel them. This circum
stance, we may surely calculate, has its due
weight IN the British cabinet, and more ef-
/ feCtu lily, as they know that these people
are fraternally embraced by the federalists
Wbat then, Americans, ought you to ex-
lpect from an opposition Of this character
Are you creduious enough to believe that
they are actuated BY motives Of purity. or
principles Of liberty! Will you believe that
our administration is corrupt, because hey
say so! VIII you believe, that while the adj
ministrdtion isunalarmed at the roaring Of a
] r.