Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1810-06-22
D 0 M E S TIC.
Bo.r6N, June Z.

Az ~ O'Clock his exceliency the Gover-
nor, attended as usual on similar occa-
sions. met the two branches of the legisla.
sure in the Representatives chamber, and
delivered the following SPEECH:-, :.
Gentlemen, of the Senate, and
Gentlemen Of the House Of Represent
tatiyes,
The independent and respectable ell
eclors of this Commonwealth, by a ma
jority of their suffrage.. having honoured
me with the Office of their supreme ex-
ecutive magistrate, an honor al this peril
cd increased by the existing state Of our
public affairs, have accepted the i'm.
porta1! trest, with that gratitude, which
is due to such distinguished confidence !;
| with that df6dence, which is fearful to
do wrong: and with that solicitude. which
is inseperable from sincere desire to do
right.
In this enlightened age of the world,
the ctiteria for Judging of rulers, are their
measures, not their professions those
| only then whose conduct is candid, up.
| right, and honorable, can enjoy, either the
happiness of conscious rsctiiude, or the
pleasing expectation, Of the appreciation,
esteem and support of their fellow cili.
zen. And should their rule be msrilori.
Gus, how often do circumstances of pub
lie nature occur, which leave TO govern.
ment a choice only of evils deeply af.
feeling the feelings and interests of the
people, and producing jealousies, discon.
tents aud opposition Z
Such of late has been the state of our
national concerns, and the consequent d..
visions have exhibited prospects Of sefi-
Gus alarm. Is it not the duty Of the Trus
tees and Guardians of the ihestimabls
rights and liberties of the people, TO des.
troy if possible this germ of political con-
fusion, and at the shrine of public safety,
honor and welfare, TO sacrifice all private
and local views, prejudices, and discordani
| passions
1t l have formed a just estimate of the
characters whom address, there cannot
exist solitary doubt tina, in pursuit 80
deeply interesting to the public regard.
less of political distinctions, they will CO
operate with me, in attaining these impor.
tam objects [: ard to secure success, let
the mamie of friendship be drawn over
| past obnoxious measures, and our exer-
tions be dlrectcd TO prevent their repeyi.
ZION.
Whatever may be the points of differ.
ences between The parties, in This they
will undoubtedly agree, that union is the
vital principe Of liberty: for as well may
the physical body have being withou,
air, az The BODY polite of our republic c,
without that principle.
i -. 81
ccssful maxim Of ambition has been "to
divide and conquer. :" and even free 90.
vernments have 50 far sanctioned it. for
preventing the union, and preserving the
suboEcinstop of their colonies, as to dis.
semihste jeaiousies emong them.
| SNeh vas she policy Of Great Rlitain
! fcI retaining The colonies which first form.
al he uaitsd states; policy which in
the eefiy period Of their separation from
/ Der, exposed them 10 imminent danger,
and was their most formidable foe.
| But he coed sense of the colonists
prevailed, and with a population 10, ex
eeadiDs two millions of inhabitants with
execu ives and judiciaries, almost wholly
opposed TO them with regal troops in their
iortresscs, CT les and principle towns, 10
awe ADD coDuOul them with few arms
AID military stores; and without public
funds, or an organized government to
conduet their operations they tdopte.
this motto &C united We stand, divided
we fail" and their union, successfully
| commenced, and triumphan,ly termina.
led The revolutionary war. Had party
spiri, then prevailed, it would have beer
fatal It would have plunged the patriot.
into the abyss of irretrieyable servitude
is would have exchanged heir exalted sta
lion of man for that ofsenseless Automa.
"a land even cemented as the Unitec
States now nre, by excellent federal and
slase constitutions if the invisible hant
Of foreign influence, or if deep.roo,e ed do.
nestle p ejudices and animosiies should
obtain ths asceodancy, they WILL too late
discover, that the loss Of union, is the los
of IIbsr,y; for however remote we are
from Nations, or luIIed ~ lhe prospect o
their friendship, should our unon be des
troyedi intestine wars must ensue, en-,
soon convert this beautiful popuous, an.
cultivated country, into barren depopu
| lated waste,
Bo' viii not foreign powers, viewing a
thsy do these nourisbing Commercial
states with the inyidious eye Of compeIi
tors, seize the first favorable opportunity
FOR destroying their competition Z An,
| ..,.,lx all 49,. - o.. n :.