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

The fame of Mr.. Jefferson is attempted
to be shorn of its glory by the old OPPOSITE
on * by certain, poll zeal emp RIGS, who have
Sc, up new tangled mongrel doStrine of
their own, the mere scum OF all parties.
The motives and the objects Of these two
species Of assailants are nearly the same.
The federalisls view in Mr.. Jefferson the
political giau, who had overthrown their
party, broken il into insignificant frag-
p,ents, and rendered it ridiculous and con-
temptible. FROM him they had nothing
10 expect, he was not to be won by their
Establishments, nor terrfisd by their hos.
tility. His public conduct was perpetual
satire upon the weakness and wickedness
of their political measurses and they
could Only 6nd consolation underline scorn
and r,dcule which pursued them in con-
tinual efforts 10 Witty his private character
and public reputation.
What else can we expect from men
whose interest il is to destroy the renown
Of a statesman who. by his talents and
his virtues, has given 10 his country the
very highest consideration in the four
quarters Of the globe Those virtues SC
those talents are still an object of envy
with persons who breathe with difficulty
under them, and whose frantic behaviour
in end, avoring TO overcome them have OBJ
tanned for themselves and their adherents
more than once the title of faction. 1t
Jefferson was right they we're wrong; if
he vase good man they were wicked II
he was wise they were foolish How de-
.irable hing therefore, must it be with
the iedera'ists TO establish their assertion,
that the la e president was an unworthy
90 crnor, for in that alone can they lind
any iustifi. alton for their TO rner measures.
This with them, is one motive, one object;
Another. no, less strongly conceived than
pertinaciously adhered TO, is 10 destroy
the confidence between the old and genu.
inc Republicans and the present executive.
Hence you End continual applause bes-
towed upon Mir Madison IN tie Columns OF
the federal gazettes, for tanc'ed dePar-
ture from the political ideas OF h,s prede-
cessor. Inthese eulogies there is want
of sincerity which maniiests in the authors
petty cunning, the offspring of mean
ness and Intrigue. The federailsts as a
par,y have no confidence in the ulIng
chief magistrate. view all their profess
sions of respeG, AID fidelity to his admin.
hypocrisy. The opposiiIon are as peril
deus as they are ta~ning; and the mo.
men, when loudest in their praises oi ri
val statesman, when their tongues riot in
the very wantonness of fiattery, he would
become the viclim Of treachery, as unre-
Icntiug as it is dishonorable. Mr. Jeffer-
sons measures can form no invariabie ule
for he conduct OF Mr. Madison, beca use
thoss circumstances which arr past may
have no resemblance 10 the cIrcum-
stances which may occur but there can
be no re ason TO doubt but what on all
leading points, on all questions radical
ly affecting the welfare OF the union
ard the prosperity OF republcanism ne
will adhere To the ancient land marks ei
the friends Of liberty. II he could for mo
men, suffer himself to be The dupe OF syc
oph n,s, Chose buzziog sphsmcra which
too Gften SURF ound and TWO Of en- ruin me-
in powet) If he eu,d iorego The k owl.
edge VIII CHI experience affords; it he could
by any possibility permit himself TO be
cheated into foul conniva6ce with prin.
cipies, dramatically opposite to our. old
republican maxims; ii, above all, he
could be so feeble as to be sway. d
from the solid connsels of the friend
OF mis- youth and the partner OF his po-
li;jcal lie he would nerit as he
would surely reap nought but the con-
tempt and pity of his friends; nonght but
the sneers, and SCOTS, and sarcasms Of the
world. For my own part / have TO fears
for him on this score believe him to be as
fro as he is discreet--glfted with ca
paciou- faculties of mind and feeling
heart, improved by education and refined
BY philosophy; and that whist ne will not
coanterance petty intrigues or be drawn
into cdiou. and dissrAceiul distinct ons he
will mainta the fundamental rules of re-
preventative government, both in principle
and practice. Taking counsel Of his own
wisdom and Of that OF his chosen secreta.
ries, he will be the father of the people
wit out forgetting who are his friends, OF
who placed hin in power.
The mo0gte's wnO assail Mr.. Jefferson:
character are bu few; they CONSIST tor
the most part, os Mr.. Cheethsm, MIR Elliot
and Mr. Stanard, the reputed editor of q
typogrsp hcal bantling, reared at Rich
mond under the avspices OF the honorable
John RANDOLPH, Mr.. George Hay, aud tw,
or three other gentlemen who have arrang
nader fhe etectiOueertn,