Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1812-02-13


narchy, and in the United States, where the is
situations of government, in general, are very
mild, the press braves all restraint, and seems
10 rival the empire of the laws.
Vigilance, then, is the only mesn by which
men can preserve happy form of government {:
And this consideration is a sufc lent rcaso why
every Individual, according TO his situation and
understanding, should interfere IN tie business
OF the state. We find, indeed, upon all great
occasions, that the Incentive is amply suffici-
ent, and that the people are apt enough TO rise
in resistsnce.to proAigate and oppressive acts
OF government, when, in their approach those
acts wear threatening aspect. Eut, in COM
mon cases, the mass Of mankind, in the freest
governments, are slow to suspect, and 10th to a
bandon, individuals whose opinions they have
taken tor guide, and in whom they have plac-
ed coincidence. At this source faction takes its
origin. The man who has once become Popu-
lar may, IT he be skilful demagogue, trade up
on his reputation for long time. Whilst he
continues to deal in mere opinion, the ultimate
elects OF which few can discern, and the influ-
ence OF which the people do not Immediately
feel, he may, to CRAFTY his hatreds devour like
me nhoth, the very staIscn of government which,
IN the hour when It's force is required may be
found perfect honeycomb, unequal to the cri-
SIS and to the conflict When Mr.. Randolph
hrst LETT his early,fricnds at atangcnt, how few
his ALTERATIONS 1t cannot be disputed now,
that this gentleman's conduct has been produc-
tive OF much mischiefto the country. His gios-
sy eiocution, his witty savings, his political no.
tons have been calculated to excite: Men Of
taste have admired him, men of levityhave
laughed at his safcasms, whilst sober-minded
wisdem alone has lanented the anarchy which
grew from his apostacy.
The case Of Mr. Randolph emphatical,v warn,
us to guard against men who may attempt the
same course, at The very outset of their career
II ls4ncunhent upon those who have a nearer
view OF politicians and Of measures than their
citizens in general, early to point out the
Paih OF error. and to premonish the public Of
the perhdy of him who invites them to travel
It The reader will easily perceive that Mr..
Sues IS alluded to. He is one that has -four.
lshed III the sunshine of republican favor but
VINO, after having been political Hercules, has
been sedHeed by some modern Dejanira, to put
on an empeisoned tun;c
vi all the duties which the high character of
lree citizen imposes, there is none so unplea-
SAINT, none SO painful, a, that of condemninp-
those whom we have heretofore supported The
necessity of sacrificing personal friendships to
,he public good is enough to give sensbility the
n = The person who devotes private
friend to the altar ofnational welfare becom.s.
himself the victim of obloquy He is charged
with ingratitude, and stigaatized as fait!ilcss.
iet' what KIND otpatriotism is itthat abandons
the general good for private acquaintance,
ana overwhelmrs the understanding in the SEN
sations of the hearth Once establish the prin.
cipie, thatpersonal affection is to supercede de-
.otlon 10 the national prosperity, and you may
JUSTLY nigi treason: You will rcnew, in effect,
Tue oaroarlsin OF the feudal ages, when the tri-
al by oompurgators prevailed the followers of
chief, knowing his guilt, held it the point of
honor to swear to his innocence, and Europe
was covered with perjuric. and crimes
- rerseHai qualities eeasa to be amiable when
they cease to be social: In other words, the man
who, IN living fer himself lives most for the be-
hent OF ms low-creatures, is the most worthy
oil admiration by bis species He who EMPLOYS
respectable understanding solely in promotino-
ms own views, is contemptibis. His excrtions'
!. they should chance TO be useful to his fellow
citlzens, want the motive that EFFORTS applause.
But when; IN the selfish exercise of his talents.
the public is injured, he merits something more
than contempt He deserves to be hated.
How Tar Mr.. Randolph or MIR. Giles have been
selfish or social, maybe ascertained from their
speeches m Congress during the present sessi-
on OF that body They may be regarded as the
great fathers of the political heresies that nrr.
vail and What Is very remarkable in their te.
nets, they differ more from. each other than Ell
ther OF them differ from the President. Ne.
randolph is opposed to an increase of the rort
lar military force, but Mr.. Giles il for consi-
derable augmentation Of it. The Executive. +,
has Deen asserted, conceived that not only was
an additional regular military force necessary.
nut that the best way of apeedily raising it was
to confine IT to n present number. corres5ondino-
with the probable facility of enlistment IT q
useless to discuss the question here, because
Congress, The legitimate authority, has decided in
favor OF the greater number Of regulars, and
the PRESIDENT has approved the act. No mo-
tice, IN TACT, would have been taken OF The CIR.
cumstance, were it not observable that a few Az.
dent spirits, Svith different ojec,s IN siesp. have
endeayoTed to propagate the opinion that a Sc.
rlous fnIlerenee -otsentiment prevailed between
the chief magistrate and the legislature Such
an .insnuatiolis very far from the tr1ltl. Tke
executive and Congress fully agreed. IN the ne :
cessity Tor an increased regular military force !.
they agreed, therefore, in the main point; and
the, only variation in opinion was with resnecf
to the antoart-of the means. Surely, as a re-
hecting man, the President might. very nrorcrs
~ suggest ms idea of the number Of troops ne.
cessary, although it would hardly have been re-
GUAR tor himto specify it by way Of official re-.
commentator; because, the Representa t;,,s.
Of the people, who have to designate me f,,nfs
torthe payment of the troops, are, incidentally
the judges OF the number they can afford To
raise they have determined to raise NJ ,be
outset more than Mr.. Madison suggested lie
could possibly have 10 objection, e1cept on Tie.
score oteconomy Thus, far from difference
OF opinion, Congress have agreed to ALI the pee.
sident wanted, and more TOO
Those who countenance the suggestion If =
Misunderstanding between the Executive ami
Congress, connive, likewise, at the reproarb
that tile President wishes to insure his re.ejec
ton by securing to himself an extensive mai
age. To tins imputation there is a concnf,ve
answer. Dir. Giles, by insisting on raising
twenty-five, instead Of ten thousand, men. gave
70 Slrl manson fs9iee az much patronage as the