Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-07-19


he saw thai Henry, whose soul had so ,un.
daanteSly led the revolution, shrinking
back from this bold experiment, from the
energy OF this new and untried constitution
when he heard the magic Of his elo-
quence exerted to its highest pitch, in pain :
ting, with prophets FIRE, the expressions
which would now from il in narrowing up
the soul with anticipated horrors and en-
listing even the thunders of Heaven in his
cause How did it happen that the feeble
and elfeminate spirit of j. mes Madison, IN.
stead OF flying in confusion aud dismay,
before this awful and tremendous combi-
nation, sat serene and-uumoved upon it's
throne (; that with u penetration so vigorous
and SD CLEAR, he dissipated thes. phantoms
of fancy; rallied back the courage of the
house 10 the charge, and, in state,
IN which Patrick Henry was almost ador-
eel as intallible, succeeded in throwing that
Henry into minority Is this the proof
of hiswa ofenergy Or will you find it
in the manner in which he watched the
first movements of the federal constitution
in the boldness with which he resisted,
even in Washington, what he deemed
infractions of its spirt-in the indepen-
dence, ability and vigrr with which, in
spite of declining health, he maintained
this cohilct during eight years He was
then in minority. Turn to the debates
of congress and read his arguments: You
Twill see how the business of Virtuous and
able minority is conducted. Do you Disco
yer IN them any evidence of want of ener-
Igyf. Hes--if.energy consist, as you seem
to think 1t does, in saying rude things, in
lbravado and buster, in pouring n muddy
torrent of coarse invective, as destitute OF
Iargdment, as unwarranted by pro",cstion,
Iyon Will find great evidence of want OF
energy in his speeches. But if true cncr-
ICY be evinced, as we think it is, by the
calm and digniiied, yet steady, jealous and
lpersevering pursuit of an object, his whole
conduct during that period is honourably
marked with energy.-And that energy
frosted on the most solid and durable basis
I-conscious rcctitude supported by the
most profound and extensive information,
10y all habitual power of investigation
(which unravelled with intuitive certainty,
lthe most Intricate subjects, and an elo-
lquence, chaste, luminous and cogent, which
lwon respect, while il forced conviction
we have compared some OF your highest
aud most Wanted displays, with the spec
lches of MIR. Madison, during his services
IN congress. Great God what con
Itrast 1t is the noisy and short-lived bab-
billing of brook af,er rain, compared
W tn the majestic course of the Potomac.
Yet you have the vanity and hardihood &c
ask for the proofs of his talents You, who
have as yet shown no talents that can be
lot service toyour country; no talent beyond
Those of the merciless I.-lian, who dexte-
lrousiy strikes tomahawk into the defence.
less heart - But what an idea is yours Of
Ienergy. You feel constitutional irrta.
l5ili;y-you Indulge il and you call that m.
ldulgence energy. Sudden fits of Spleen
transient starts OF passion--wild paro1.
lysms OF fnry-the more slow and secret
workings of envy and resentment--crue
ltaunts and sarcasms-the dreams of disor.
Idered fancy-the crude abortons Of short
Isighted theory the deliTium and ravIDg.
OF "a hectic fever-this is your notion Of T.
MERCY! Heaven preserve our cosntry
! from such energy as this: If this be the
/ kind OF energy which YOU deny to Mr.
Madison, the people of this country will
| concur in your denial. But if YOU deny
him that salutary energy which qualities
him to pursue his country's happiness anC
TO defend her rights, we follow up tn,
, course Of his public life and demand tn,
|, proof OF your charge; for we beg you no
: to think so highly of yourselves, nor 81
meanly OF us, as to suppose that your gene
! raj assertion will pass with us tor HroofS
4
! dour and virtue which entities you to thi
: high ground -To your hroofs, then, and I,
| the retrospect of his life. Do you remem
Der that dark and disastrous period du
= ing the administration OF General Wash
| lington, when the British marine was Ia
king some of those stately strides which
z threatened to crush our infant commerce IL
the bud! do you remember the resolution
5 brought forward by Mr.. Madison at tina
period, to restrict the British commerce
, itself, and avenge the wrongs done to hi
country Do you remember those cele
: brated resolutions, and the raptures Of APP
r lplause with which they we're received ~
. the people for their wel-timed and well di
1 rected energy ? Itmay be convenient to yoi
1 not TO remember these things. But do no
believe that we shall forget them nor tina
I we shall fail TO compare the spirited < high
h. ly applauded policy which he recommended
! theH, with the policy which our present wis
r X yrtuous republican minority, are recon
. mending toward the same nation now,o &C
count OF the same kind Of aggressions. Yes
flgentlemen, we mark, the energy Of you
lpNicy towards Great Britain--the polio
, by which you, in conjunction with yournc
= ally and associate the honorable rimoth
, Pickering, (the force Of whose logic yo
!, just begin 70 feeD recommend it TO this in
4 dependent and gallant nation to cove
c down before the lawless and arrogant pre-