Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1812-08-31

DE WIT CLINTON.
~ 1t is admitted that Federal President
cannot be elected in the United States. 1t is
admitted also, by Great Britain, that she
cannot conquer the United States. The
policy of Federalists and the policy of our
enemy, is now one and the same-their
designs can be accomplished only by pro-
ducing DIVISIONS. The ill success of
HENRY in the cause of G. Britain has
taught the tory party wsdom-they have
been induced from his doctrine, the deep
er to lay their plan-and instead of fol-
lowing the plan of mother Britain in the
selection of their instrument of intrigue,
they have pitched upon De Witt Clinton,
one of the most influential and we think
one of the most inflexible Republicans in
the United States. They have no prefer
ence for Mr.. CLINTON before Mr.. MA
OLSON, but if he can be elected, one end
is answered, viz: distraction and division
among the Republicans and it is only on
this ground we have any objection to Mr..
CLINTON. If he permits himself to be
the tool of federal architects, he will sa-
crifce a popularity which some four years
hence might have been serviceable to him.
I he following is an extract from a speech
of his, delivered in the Senate of New
York, in the year 1909. How it is possible
for him to become the idol OF their poiiti-
Cal worship, after the expression of such
sentiments, we cannot divine, unless as we
say above, by conccding point, they hope
to betray one part of the Republicans into
the performance of an act, that shall sub
ject the n to denunciation from the other:
81 believe (says he) that the great body
of every party mean to do right, and fully
accord with celebrated writer, that the
m
An their opinions seldom.-But / do not mean
to exempt from censure the desperate lea
ders of a profligate conspiracy against the
good of our country, who at this all impor-
ant period are scattering the hre-brands of
Civil discord through the United States The
opposition now excited is not an ordinary OPP
position 1t does not merely aim a blow at
rival party, nor is it confined to the deStruc-
tionof prominent individual. 1t takesa more
daring and adventurous attitude-it bids def
ance To our laws and threatens the dissolution
of the Union Its, perhaps, known to but few,
that the project of a ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF this
country is not novel plan, growing out of
the recent measures of the government, as
has been pretended. 1t has been cherished
by a number of individuals for a series of
years. and few months before the death of
a distinguished citizen, whose decease so
deeply excited the public sensibility, it was
proposed to him To enlist his great talents in
the promotion of this nefarious scheme, and
to his honor )e it spoken, it was rejected by
him with adherence and disdain. Some of
the newspapers of New England have at
various times inculcated the reasonable doc
trine in elaborate essays, and the match APP
pears to be now lighted to produce an ex-
posion which will overwhelm Us with all the
horrors of civil war. 1t cannot be neces
o., roll nit,
which will result from a severance of the u
Mon. cannot picture TO my imagination
greater evil. 1t will be the opening of Pan
dora's box partial confederacies arrayed in
hostile form against each other; foreign in
huence infused into the very heart of the body
polite injurinus restrictions and vexatiOus
regulations OF commerce and intercourse,
standing armies, civil wars, military despo-
tism Such, sir, will be the deplorable stu
alton of our country and this state particu-
larry, which ever way she turns, will be
bordering state, and exposed to the greatest
injury If she remains true to the western,
southern and middle states, she will be
bounded by three of the states of the Eastern
confederacy. If she joins the Eastern facti-
onists, she will border on some of the states
of the Southern confederation. Our com-
mercial emporium, the great depot of the
comm ,dities and trade of more thon one half
of the United States, and the greatest mart
of foreign commerce, will be exposed to
plumber and contribution. The narrow
tongue Of land which runs up from the south
ern extremity of the state would be liable al
all times to be overrun by superior hostile
force.--And after having travelled through
sea of blood, some daring adventurer, some
Cesar, some Cromwell, or some Bonaparte,
would seize the government by force and
reduce Us and our posterty to the rank of
his slaves. My blood freezes with horror,
and every feeling Of my heart revolts at the
dreadful prospect.-May rod in his infinite
mercy vert these calamities from our be-
loved country-Should that direful time e.
yer occur, our sky will be enshrouded in
clouds and darkness, and the son of Ameri-
GAN glory will set forever.
Look, sir, at the storm which is gather
ing in the east, it's clouds are black, heavy
and portentous. Look at the resolves of Sc
Veral Of the towns and even Of the capitol
of Massachusetts, observe the disorganizing,
iacobinical, seditious and traiterous spirit
which pervades them.-The legislatures of
the different states are invited to array
themselves against the general govern y ent.
The very men who a few years since were
the strenuous advocates for melting down
the state governments, for strong nation
al executive that would maintain the union
Of the states, for an energetic, absorbing ma
tional government that would controul and
regulate the centrifugal force of the local
governments; these men are now the warm
partlzans Of state supremacy, the devoted
friends of the state legislatures. The reso-
,rinns nf ROstOn are more sediftous aud re-