The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-01-30

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moiihcasion, by the legislature. existing at
the time those very ADVANTAGES are of a
lsreearions tenure, If the constitutions be orr
glnaiiy put into motion, with shirt coz
trary to that of its formation. In giving a
just republican direction to the new federal
government, Mr. Madison distinguished him
self In crushing the attempt to establish IT,
ties OF Supremacy for the President and
Vlce-President in the first defeat of the
funding system, and exhausting the whole
artillery of argument against it, until argu-
ment would scarce longer be heard in res
tricting the powers of Congress to the OBJ
Jects expressly, or incidentally granted to it !;
In endeavoring to secure to the war-worn SOL
der, the fruits of his danger and blood, and
In short, In preserving the republican soul,
infused into the government by its creators :;
these were his primary anXieties these
were the exertions of his faithful guardian
ship That he never swerved from this sa-
cred line, the debates of Congress from the
year 1FS9, t. period beyond 1896, when
compared will vou CHI.
About this period, he was assailed for Vi
olaiing that consistency of character. which
we assert to have been his polar star The
operations of the constitution had very dis
tinctiy announced, how flexible it might be
rendered in the hands of dexterous artists,
and how subservicnt to the ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
OF party--if some of its republican severity
was filed Off An adherence to it's genuine
sense, covered Mr.. Madison with inVeciive.
but did not shake him. Let the assailants
OF this denomination deign to specify, in what
he abandoned his first principles; and it can
readily be proved, that Madison persisted
| in the worship of the true God of Republi-
| canism, While some OF his former compatri-
| OTIS apostalized to Baal.
His tolls in ri,bl;c cpt-,,;re .I,,,.o 49,.
appreciated and revered and al vet rever-
cd by the republicans: But some of them
| too, affect recent to descry inconsistency
or luke-warmness in his retirement from
Congress, when his opposition was necessary
20 succour their oppressed cause.
| Censure which darts at m act of this kind
must be eager for its prey. Had not Mr..
eHadson spent eight years in Congressional
| warfare ! Had he not abandoned for the
F., pubic service, the opportunity Of acquiring
lucrative profession, of which, lie could
not fall to be at some day the ornament the
chlet ! Was his emine nee to impose upon
him the perpetual tax, of never attending.
to ms private aifairst If the government
Could have been checked by the remonstran-
! CcS. OF hr. Madison in what he deemed an
improper course, it would scarcely have COM
menced, before 1T would have ceased. But
al his remonstranCes had been unavailing (:
and he must have forseen, that the feelines
OF the people were the only remedy for the
disorder Of the state, and when generally ex-
pressed, would of themselves be decisive.
ne event Venned the anticipation altho'
perhaps ii was forwarded by that celebrated
assembly of Virginia, IN 1898, to which he
was depnted-from a belief that his repro
BATON OF the alien and scdition law, there
would be more fortunate, and effcctual
than 1T could have been in Congress-
It is questionable, however, whether the
pen ought to have been detained in answer
ing this objection, when we have arrived at
The most important topic-the pledge which
the numerous demonstrations Of his wisdom
have afforded, that of his capacity for the
Presidential Chair.
Since the publication of the second num-
| Der, circumstance has occurred III Washing
! ton, which will excuse momentary inter
ruPtion In contemplating Mr.. Madison. The
Justly renowned patriot, George Clinton, of
| New-iork, has been named by few, as TIE
successor of Mr. Jefferson
1t is not my intention to retract nv first
opinion, that Virginia ought to yield to any
other state, citizen of which can obtain ar
important number of suffrages And to nv
self nothing couldbe more cordial, than tc
place on that veteran brow every civic hon
or, which he can desire, and public safety
| Does that venerated man really desire q
post, from which Washington retreated un-
der the pressure OF sixty-nne years-and
which Jefferson is about to relinquish, from,
wearied faculties, at axty-fve? He cannot
Some youthful friend perhaps, who under
| stands, how little human nature incumbercd
with nearly eighty years, can resist the im-
portuIities of an impetuous adviser, doubt
less concealS from his sight that page in the
constitution of Ncw-York, which limits the
continuance in some Offices to the age of 81 x.
ty; and time has perhaps blotted from hi.
memory some declarations, which he has
himself made, of the necessity of repose
from public cares
That venerated man cannot seek the chic
magistraCy of the union. If he does. he has
been hoodwinked in his observation, while he
has presided in the Senate. He has there
seen, in the exercise Of his legislative ant
executive functions that triuInphal car
altho' it sustains hero does not necessarily
carry statesman.
But if such be the will Of fate ifthe great
! Clinton be no longer his modest and prudent
sclt-thc people must-with the tenderness,
and deilcacy due to him--with the gratitude
which his desc IS inspire-they must pa,
the homage of a Mausoeum not the leo
pardy of nation. Forgive most highly re
spected general, this cffusion of friendship I,
YOU ; warning voice has saved thousands
from destruction. MARCUS.
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