Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1811-11-28

was republican at the time r published
this answer, if the sentiments it contained
consigned me in the public estimation to the
republican party, if acted and shall act in
my political career in conformity to these
sentiments, ] have some latent suspicious
that l should have some prctensions to the
character OF a republican, il it were not dis
covered that a new order of patriots has late
y arisen, which has exclusively appropriate
ed to itself every republican attribute, and
will not permit any of its benign influence to
animate the bosoms of those who have pre-
coded them in the theatre of public life, tho
it is exclusively owing to the exertions Of the
latter, that its genial and hallowed flame has
not been entirely extinguishcd.
From the exposition have Just made. what
ever may be the political sect which and many
others of my more ilMstIious political asso-
ciatcs are arraycd, hope it win al least be adj
mittcd, that have acted with consistency and
i'll conformity with my earliest professions.
am conscious OF possessing but little political
inert, and my anxiety TO have credit for what
little do possess is augmented from nv con-
seriousness ofthc scantiness orthe general stock.
When we possess but little, that little is our all,
and its value is proportionally enhanced from
this consideration. Consistency of pol itical
opinion and steady adherence to those tcnets
with which [ had commenced my political life,
was one of those humble recommendations for
public confidence to which iattered myself
could make some just pretcnsons nor win the
review have jEst taken of the commencement
and progress ofny political life diminish these
pretensions.
Whether this new order ofexclusive rcpubli-
cans, who have made their appearance upon the
theatre OF public life more recently than it was
my fortune to do, shall succeed in excluding
from the republican ranks the late President of
the United States and the majority of Congress
during his administration, as also the Secretary
of the Treasury and all the republican mem
bers of Congress who vote for the bill under
consideration; l say, Mr.. President, whether
this is effected or not in either case the charge
OF apostacy or dereliction of political principles
cannot apply to me, because now act in strict
conformity with the profession of political faith
which made at the commencement of my pub
lie life Gin relation to the government of the
United States.) With whatever political sect
may be associated in consequence of the afiir-
NATIVE vote shall give 90 the bill now delibc-
rated on from the considerations already emu
merated, shall at least stand absolvcd from all
Imputstions of inconsistency, insinccrity or
apostacy. NY candor cannot be impeached
cannot be accused of advocating now doc
trne once reprobated; nor of vibrating in my
political opinions with a vibrating state of
things Nor has any one right to question the
sincerity of the solemn declaration now make,
that | every day cherish with fonder affection
my attachment to those great and leading polit-
cal principles to which | was attached and
which protested at the commencement of my
political lite, because every passing days ex-
pericnce serves more firmly to convince me of
their accuracy and superlative excellence, and
that the preservation of those principles in their
utmost purity is best calculated tc preserve the
liberty and promote the general welfare of the
nation.