Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1811-04-15
From the National tnteiligencer.
To THE EDITOR.
Mr.. Gales,

To THE EDITOR.
Mr.. Gales,
The remarks made In Sc.
veral respectable republican prints on
the recent change in the administra-
ton, and on the changes alledged TO
be In contemplation, may have ten.
deney to excite alarm on the future
prospects Of the country, in the minds
OF those who inconsiderately identify
men and measures. 1t may be ina.
glned that differences fatal to the DO
minion ofrepublican principles are a.
bout to germina,e, and that those
principles are about to be inundated
on the shrine of personaLinteres.. But
what substantial reason is there for
these apprebensions?
Is there room for the suspicion, Ell
Their that the President has apostatised
from the principles which have so
steadily directed his whole political
course, or that the great body Of the
repuSlican party have become alienat-
ed from them? IF there does not ex-
ISL the slightest reason for such IN ap-
prehension. il may with confidence b.
affirmed, that, however for a moment
there NAV be differences on persona
or suhordinate points among our
friends, they will IN future unite, as
hey have invariably heretofore unit.
ed, in all assures required by the
solid Interests Of the nation. 1t is ex.
clusively in he maintenance of these
interests that the people. are Interested.
While they are vigilantly and vi,tu-
ously guarded, it is, comparatively
urimPortant by whom this deep trust
is discharged. No man, under re-
public, Whatever may b. his talents or
virrues, has a right 70 office. The
public welfare may call upon him to
serve his country, and it will then be
his duty to acquiesce in the general
sentiment. il ne consider it W { II found
ed but, repeat it, he has no reason
to complain at not being called to pow
err.
The fact, probably, is, that, under
all governments, the most solid and
spotless talents are to be found in the
retirement Of private life; talents thu,
confer TOO much happiness and dignity
on their possessor, 20 render hi " eager
FOR popular favor or the tancied charms
Of power. And however men, eievat-
ed TO Office, my consider then selves
as the exclusive guardians Of the ma
ton, the sheet anchor Of liberty and of
the state will be found in those whose
ambition is satisfied by the geUetal
prosperity that surrounds them. Qcr,
after all, il is they who form the most
dislntere sted and correct estimates of
men and measures, and who, conse.
quently, through the medium of pub.
lie opinion, stamp that reputation on
the one and appreciation on the other,
that raise the former to power, and
crown the latter with a general sup
port.
While this class Of men ex SITS, while
it is every day increased by the expan-
ding interest Of the nation, I, for one,
have no serious fears for the public
interests. Isthey are misunderstood,
or culpably disregarded, these men
will soon re.instste them. Every
thing proves that IN this country pub !.
lie opinion is component. And why
is this the case? Because it is en-.
lightened. And whence this illumina-
ton? From the strong and pure
Light necessarily diffusel, through pri.
vate and unobserved means, by this
class of citizens, and by the sincerity
and accurscy Of heir judgment.
Irtol.ows, from this reasoning, that,
under republic, public opinion is the
great regulator, and that the whole
n1chins OF S, I. depends upon its
correctness. Cmfding in its correct
nesr a this time, rave no alarms
F3f because is invariable maxim
is &C N asures al not men,"
S copdly, be ause It is 100 enlight-
ened and virtuous to be the dupe of
iDuisu~.
Thirdly, because those who give it
its tone are too much scauered to be
the victims Of local or narrow views.
Whoever, hen may happen 20 be
the adm nistrators Of the government,
the conclusive judgmert pronounced
unon them will be decided bv their