Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1812-09-28
From The Baltimore american.
MADISON OR CLINTON (!
No


MADISON OR CLINTON ;
MOI
1t becomes the people of America to inquire
what Mr.. De Witt Clinton has done to deserve
the presidency of the U. States, rs well as to
examine into the means by which he expects
to Obtain 1t. Let it be expressly understood
that have high opinion of Mr.. Clinton.
Mr. Clinton, lapprehend, d rives more popu-
iarlty from his name than his deeds. As mem
Der of Congress, he acted very well but fifty
others were his equals in talents and influence
As mayor OF New-fOrk, no complaint has been
made OF him; but this is an office, to the per
Torrance of the duties OF which no extraordi
nary talents are requisite. may be eX-
tremeiy well qualified to superirsend aud con-
troll the concerns of city corporation, and
$et incompetent to wieldthe destinies Of . great
nation. In either of the stations which MIR
Clinton hiss occupied, we have not witnessed
any uncommon display OF talents or skin. /
very much suspect that he never would have
been Offered 10 the American people as Presi-
dent, ii his friends had not endeavored TO coy
er ham with the mantle Of his reverend uncle,
the late Vice-Pre sident, now more. They
have, however, given us no evidence that the
garment fits him.
But he Is SAID to possess great energy and
decision. Let us sce-0n the most important
question that has agrated his native state
| tor thirty years, the incorporation of the Bank
| OF America, where were Mr. Clnton's energy
and decision' Though President ofthe Senate
before whom this great question came, he siea-
| dhy kept aloof from it. Energy and decision
would have led him to the prompt expression
OF a decided opinion on a subject which so vi
tally affected not only the welfare of his state,
but ultimately that ofthe nation. The love and
| hope OF Office taught him the expediency OF
trimming: and hence it remains doubtful TO
TINS day, whether the energetic MIR. Clinton was
! III favor OF that dangerous mammoth bank or n
| galnst 1T. He had not sufficient nerve to use
the mighty influence of his name and opinions
in New-York towards crushing the corr,pting
efforts OF British and anglo-American stock.
lobbers Mr.. Clinton no doubt deemed the
better part OF energy, discretion" But if he
failed, IN the instance before us, ofexerting the
energy he IS alledgcd TO possess, it is fair to
conclude that it is quality TO which he is
stranger, or that his political hexibilty is such
as to make his energy wen as honesty bend
10 iiis aspiring and ambitious views. In either
case, he IS unf to guide the national helm
| HIS energy and honesty cannot be relied on
ASain-Mr Clinton had become popular with
| the nation chiefly because of his supposed dis
position to resist by prompt and immediate war
the Injurious and insoent aggressions of Great
Britain. At the opening of the last session OF
congress, hrs friends, W tn perhaps, the excep.
| ton oi one member of no talents or standinr
II
soon found that Mr.. Madison was also a sirenr-
Gus advocate for it, that he urged IL by every
means IN ms power, that he promptly and in
stant2ne0usly ave his signature to every war
pm adopted by Congress, and that he would a.
! gam be supported as President by the republi
cans generally, Then it was, that nearly all
Mr.. Ciinloi1s friends either obtained leave of
absence from their seats and their duty, or vo
| ted against All decisive and vigorous measures
OF var Then It was that Clintonian energy
yieidcd 10 The Paltry suegc slions of individual
| aggrandizcment The Ncu York febfjgo ,,e1
joined the peace party" from Connec, cut &
| elsewhere.
For NV life, cannot even at this late dav.
| teIl whether Hr Clinton IS FOR peace or for
| prosecuting tic war with yigor The federal.
'Sts' WAC seem disposed to support him, insin
| uA'c lhat nc VIII make peace with G. Britain
nc moment he shall have been placed in the
CHAR oi state some Of his republ can friends
assert that lie is the advocate of vigorous war.
and others choose to hold rSrY mysterious Ian.
| guaSe ON that all important pint The nathan
| ~ general are unacquanted with The views Of
| Mr. Clinton on the most moncr tous questions
! which have ever agita'ed country.
| Under every view of the subject of the next
presidential election, IL appears TO me that no
! republican, Who IS IN favor u continuing TO vim
dicate tie interests and rights of the nation
8ainst The enormities Of England, ought 10 sun.
| port Mr. Clinton Besides, I do not believe that
I he would, 81 elected, introduce as much lion
esty or energy into our national councils as
| prevail IN them at this time.
AN AMERICAN