Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1811-05-16

''N' """ e"S law WUuiu expire Win the
same wound. Nor could you be ir.
norant, that before this Law could he
successfully resisted, ,he blood of A.
mericsns must stain the sacrils pious
hands bv which it was opposed that
the strife of civil war muse frs, desc.
late our cities, and the lives and pro
perty of thousands of our valuable fell
low citizens be sacrificed in desperate
conflict with the strong arm of the
state. 1t you were serious in advo-
eating the resolutions which YOU SO
strenuously supported, these and a
myriad Of other evils which the bare
suggestion of open resistance to the
law crouds upon the mind, must have
been present to your view. If you
were serious, did say? 1t is impos.
sible to believe that the great respon-
sibility attached TO the name of the
President of the Senate, could be lent
in support ofpaper resolutions. which
he and his party did not heartily APP
proves What then are we to think
of the patriotism of your party? What
is your boasted attachment to the
constitution What your regard to
the union of the states, when YOU per-
sonally appear the advocate of opposi-
ton to the law, deneunce it as unjust,
tvrannical and oppressive, and declare
that it must be resisted!
Again, give me leave to enquire
who are the men by whom the law of
the ed March, must and will be re-
sisted !"-Are they, like yourself. dis
tinguished by the honors Of the pc ople,
elevated by fame, by talents, and by
fortune? Have they as you have, ia
mily and friends, children and Deepen.
dants? Will they put all these on the
hazard of civil war? Are they SO
sick of life, with all the splendid
charms by which it surrounds them,
that ont the desperate chance of success,
they will venture every thing most
dear. What advantage to such men
would be an opposition to law, which
IT unsuccessful, would be termed re-.
bellion, and if successful would be
revolution To you, sir, and to men
elevated like yourself, revolution
would be poverty, and rebellion would
be death. Do not expect that the yeo-
many of our country will Join the cry
OF pronunciation, and leave their farms
and their families to resist the execu.
ton Of the law! Will the mechanic,
the manufacturer, or even the mer-
chant quit the fair prospects which
peace and tranquility present, to run
the doubtful chance of better times.
by resisting the orders of the govern
nent? If it be true that the laws
s. must and will be resisted" the lea.
der of the formidable force would find
himself, like FalstaT at the head of his
ragged regiment, and would soon have
To implore compassion of the crows to
spare his miserable remnants of men.
How then, sir, is it to be reconciled to
your acknowledged capability and Ia
lents that you have ventured publicly |
10 second and TO advocate resolutions
which threaten what can never be ex-
ecuted, and hold out sentiments that
excite the more adherence the more
thew are considered
The proceedings of the caucus have
had very different effect from what
was intended. The reelection oil the
Governor, which it was primary OBJ
ject to prevent, is secured heyond
risk. The government which they
iDtends1 to disgrace, has taken the
noble revenge, by showing how per-
fectly harmless are such violent and
such inAammatory resolutions, when
the reason and good sense Of the COM
mupity are left at liberty TO examine
them. The laws which +" must and
will be resisted" have been carried in
to peaceable operation. No outrage
has been committed, no violence at
tempted. Every thing is as calm and |
quiet as if these paper bullets Of the
brain" had never been discharged. |
The officers of the government pursue
their duty, the laws are obeyed, and
the public mind distrusts the councils |
and disgraces The authors of those in.
temperate resolves.
i have thus stared to you, with all
the freedom that is consistent with the
respect 10 which hold your general |
r ba-arter fhs Vie ,r - hicb xuiII he foL,