Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1809-05-19

pride to celebrate. In these extremes
the extreme of applause, and that of denun.
ciation-we perceive the real character of
Mr.. Cheetham. He ridicules all integrity
of principle in politics he treats with de-
rison the understandings of the commune
ty, conceiving that a certain presumption
of spirit and insolence of language will at
all times sway the public sentiment; and
that one or two bold writers, defying all
consequences, Drawing all dangers, and
spurning at truth, arc amply sufficient to
destroy or to create an administration.
Acting upon such ideas there is no stability
in him he is up for the highest bidder, and
may presume be secured to any party for
a sum in gross. Is there dishoner in this |!
Not, / apprehend, according to Mr.. Cheet-
hams code Of morality by the same rule
that there is no dishonor in a mans follow
ing his vocation. Politics with him is
trade, and he deals out his columns as
shop keeper deals out his fustian, to the
most advantage for himself. In turn he has
applauded and reviled Burr illuminated
Hamilton, and afterwards with crocodile
tears bewailed his fate; advocated and de-.
nounced Jefferson and Madison: and last
Of all, though it appears to shake his very
soul, he threatens TERRIBLE vengeance upon
the Clintons. His raper is out, & he will be
doing: but he must pardon me if throw
myself between his weapon and the illus
trious inhabitant of Monticello. / do not
know that he coild hurt Jefferson but the
repetition of calumny without refutation,
may poison the channels of history, and
render that doubtful with posterity which
to this age is most certain * indisputable.
With respect to Mr. Elliot, have ten
derness for him which he does not suspect.
The victim of an over-wecning vanity, the
innocent retailer of curious scraps and de-
funct anecdotes, the laborious cleaner of
poetical sh-eds and prosaic patches, the
very Praise od-Barebones of the tiny tribe
of vain.glorous disorganzers, he would
make an excellent repeating clerk to a
country parson, bat has 10 pretension to the
character of a politician. The clerical
functions would well occupy his days, and
the purring fcats amuse his evening hours
OF Mr.. Randolph ! shall be silent here {:
He will make some figure in the succeeding
numbers of this vindication, and in the Sc
Quel may afford no small diversion to those
readers who may have the desire and pa
thence to follow me in my humble labors.
1t would be waste of precious time to no.
tice Mr.. Stanard in more formal manner
than to say, that he is an impertinent whip
ster, the organ of Mr.. Randolph and his
coadjutors, and ordained to the humble
occupation of collecting such crumbs and
giving utteranc to such sentiments as may
prove beneficial in making converts for the
new sect. I am not Well enough acquain-
ted with the secrets of the Heather Gods
to tell, what motive has so irrevocably en-
listed Mr.. George Hay under the standard
Of Mr.. Randolph, and in battle array a.
gainst his old friends: Whether it was the
| \ r. 4 81 - Dl.xk,.
Their his sensibilities were su5dued by the
son of Venus, and, like Antony, he gave up
all for love-or his soul longed for posts of
| honor and profit, know not he has turn
! ed renegade, however, forsaken the faith, &
become leader among the inhdels.
| Thus much have deemed il proper to
say. OF the men and their motives who form
the van of the party -colored assailants of
| Mr.. Jefferson. Among them all there are
none so polished as Randolph, none so rude
and vigorous as Cheetham. With these
two men rest tn. whole genius and the en-
tire talents OF the faction. Their contri-
vaHces for the popular ear are subtle as
the venom of the most bancful reptile. They
tell you it is because they differ with Mr..
jefferson, because they call in question the
utility OF gun boats, and dry docks, and
embargoes, that they are reprobated and
\
of the people for themselves, by persuadng
them they are the champions of indepen-
dence of sentiment But when the commu.
nifty shall understand, Gas, with the bles-
sing of God they speedily shall,) that those
men have never been rcprehended for an
honest difference of opinion that they have
never been catechised for their particular
tenets and have only been rebuked for base
regeneration, occasioned by Interested &
amblt Gus motives when it shall be under
stood that indignation and invective pursue
them for no other cause than the hagrant
abandonment of the rights of the country,
in the hour of peril and dismay, they must
sink into insignifcance before the nipping,
biighting, blasting, frost Of silent scorn, and
unutterable contempt.
FzoM THE " OLD ceLoEY GAZETTE"
Messrs. Edltors---I send you the following pre-,
diction which have Gu tout Of an old almanac
It's publication will be gratifying to me, and tC
many OF my neighbours SD