Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1809-05-23
R c H NJ o N d.
TUESDAY, May 20 1909.

HE friends os the administration are
charged with the most criminal intolerance
because they Continue ~ expose Tie CHI
cahery and jesustry Of their opponents
tn Federalists. They are accused Of be-
Ing anxious 20 keep alive the spirit of par
~, AMI II possible. TO increase the acrino
ny which has hitherto existed. BIT what
is the ground upon which they advance
these charges? Because they will not adj
NIT that the administration ofthe last eight
years was conducted with view to en-
eansie us with France and to involve us in
war with Britain. Because they will
rot admit tb.st MIR. Jefferson is perfectly
destitute of virtue, talents and patriotism.
Because they wish not admit that the late re.
s'ictions upon our commerce, were laid for
the purpose of destroying commerce al pros
Per'ty and not for the purpose of saving
our properly, seamen, sc. sc. Because
In tact they will not give up Mr. Jefferson
as victim TO their hatred, calunny, and
reien less persecut on Because they Will
not suffer their mock, hollow hear ed adul
alton OF Mr.. Madison to pass as the genuine
illusions oil republican;sn. And hence it is,
that the republicans are charged with a
parry spirit, so intensely intoler,,nt and
prosecuting as to produce the most serious
and alarming consequences.
we ask in vain for a sa .,sfactory answer
to the que''on, Why they have thus sud
Geniy become the exsravagant admir-. r.
oi the administration and the man vino has
becn tor 50 long time the object of their
censnre and abuse? The same allegations
winch have been urged against Mr.. Jeffer-
son nave been urged against MIR. Madison.
IN order however to preserve the appear
ance of things they have drawn this ideal
iiue OF distinction. That il MI. Jefferson
had been IN the place Of Mr.. Madison
when the late propositions were made by
Mr.. Erskine, he would not have accepted.
mem. lhis is the poor subterfugc 70 which
tney nave rescrted 20 preserve the reputa-
tion of consistency. II they had come for
Ward IN an undisguised style OF honesty &
candeur and have declared that they
nave all along been hurried away by pre-
Ju'hce and impetuosity, and that now they
were prepared TO john in support OF republi-
can men X measures, then indeed they would
nave deserved the highest encomiums {:
but to steal into our party rs 1t were, and
TO claim the merit and success exclusively
due to republican policy, presents master
piece OF assurance thst team only he view
Ell with mixed emotions Of ridIcule and
contempt. There never was perhaps an
assertion SO boldly made which was SO very
easy OF refutation. 1t is perfectly unne.
cessary for this purpose to Institute any in
curry into the political life OF Mr. Jefferson,
because unfortunately for the Federalists.
the reverse of their assertion has actually
taken place Il is well known and it is e..
ven admitted in the British Parliament,
that the very same proposition (Which has
been accepted by Mr.. Madison, was Offer
ed IN August last by MIR Jefferson Is it
to be presumed then by any intelligent, in
genuous mnd, that Mr.. Jefferson would
have rejected the proposition of Mr.. Frs
kline and particularly too. when il was at
tended with others which every person
wished, but which no person expected i.
1t is impossible that his most inveterate
foe can yield to this delusion and belief !;
but yet. this is the great cause which has
effected such wonderful revolution .
mong the Federalists.
because they are determined to overls X plain
established 4 e. and 70 indege their imagin All
wi'h the idea hat MIR Jeffer, on would not have
acted in the same manner Mr.. Maids on has
done, rhsy have becomc fervent converts TO the
now administrations which il unquestionaby es
iablishtd upon the principles OF the preceding
Does not this evidently prove tha, tn, judes of
+ hticki meAiures according to the oriiers of
men AID not principles, which is the very charge
III Yhsve been III the habit OF VI cling az ainsl the
rpvshcans But why they have become such
p' si'a'e wcishipiers Of Mr. Madison. it is i'm
iossiD'e 10 inagine II iss phenomenon in pol.
tics Unat we unable TO en- plain. =. w e Ganpoi
believe them s'ncere when they say that they
believe that MIR Madison will prove hinrscif 10
b. a fcdctaiist and that therefore they have
Joined us IN advocating his adm nistrasiOn.----
! his temp TO cheat rs of our President ana The
&C ndaney of our parry out Heroi's Herod