Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1813-04-29
From The AliNtarv lIonifor.

VIRGINIA.-When we reflect what
this State is, compared with what it might |
be, we cannot but be amazed at the charge
of AMBITION, so often made against it. Had
Virginia maintained, as she might, her geo
graphical limits as acknowledged at the a
doption ofthe federal constitution, she would
indeed be powerful, and have amply fed her
ambition, but she did not do 50, she agreed
to a division of her immense territory, by
which her influence in the general congress,
must be lessened; yet Virginia is aalbi-
HouS.
The state of Virginia, might yet include
the now States of Ohio and Kentucky, but
she agreed that these portions of the state
should be separated and erected into new
states. whereby she lost Is votes in the ma
tional councils /; yet Vi.ginia is ambitious.
Had Virginia not consented to division
of the ate, she would yet own the North
Western territory, now divided into several
territorial governments and, although these
territories are not entitled TO rank as states,
on account OF the fewness of observation-disclosures
yet their population, had they been preserv-
ed as part OF that state, must have been
considered, in fixing the number of repre-
sentatlyes TO congress; and Virginia would
thus have at least one representative more
but Virginia, by agreeing to the division,
lost tiiis advantage; and yet Virginia is am
5hi9nS.
It cannot be supposed tina, the people of
Nirsn did not foreSee the consequences
thac must. and that did result from reduc-
zion OF the geographical limits of the state.
There was no state in the union, the citizens
Of which possessed greater share of poiit-
zeal information. Washington, Jefferson,
Madison, Monroe, p. Randolph, Patrick
Henry, Pendleton, &c. &c. were not blind
to what was the interest of the state: they
knew and wei foresaw all the growing eff
tcCts, but they were virtuous they were
indeed ambitions, but their ambition was
directed to the establishment of general and
not OF partial good they saw that Virgin
ia might indeed preserve political power
SO transcendantiy great as to render a sin
gle state tictatorial over others, but this
would render the benefits, expected from
the confederation, nullity. The fact is
the influence which the immense state OF
Vngiua must have retained in the nation
al congress was clearly foreSeen, rather than
encourage which, the virtuous people of
Virginia Submitted 70 a disruption of their
g,eat state; yer VTgini1 is ambitious.
The ourcry against the selection of so many
chief magistrates from the state of Virginia
is no proos OF state-ambition. The selection
was not made by the Virginians but by the
people Of the states generally. The citizens
OF Virgiria had but proPortionate share
i'll the election. General Washington did not
owe his election or re election 10 Virginia.
lie would have been elected had Virginia
not Supported him and he would have been
elected had Virginia opposed him.
MIR. Adams owes his election in part to
Virginian votes.
(jn counting The votes for President and
Vice President, in 1901, the following APP
peared to be the result.
Mr.. Jefferson, of Virginia 70
Mr.. Burr, of New York rs
Nj. Adams, Of Massachusetts 90
MIR Pinckney, OF South Carolina SIS
Mr.. Say, IF New York Q
Had Virginia been neutral or opposed to
Mr. Jefferson, he would not have been elect
e..
Connect ed with this clectionist the remark
that Virginia, in giving her electoral votes,
gave no positive prefere: &C TO a Virgiuian,
b was equally disposed towards citizen
OF New York; while the states which cried
most loudly against southern ambition, dis.
posed OF their votes, with equal liberdlity to
a citizen cf South Carolina, as they did to a
ci, zen Of Massachusetts.
In 1908, the votes for President stood
thus;
MIR Jefferson, Of Virginia 1862
Mi. Pmckhey, of South Carolina II
Majority in favour Of JefFcrsoe, 14s
In this instance, Mr. Jefferson would have
been elected had Virginia even opposed him
It also appears that ali the states, except
tbree, supported "a southern candidate.
In 1909, Mr.. Madison had 100 ont Of IFS
vote, being a majority in his favor Cf Co.
The votes Of Virginia we're not necessary to
secure his election he would have been e.
lee cd had v 's gina beer neutral.
In 1913, NJ, Madison had 1873 votes and
an aiority OF 80 had Virginia not voted, Mr.
AIadisOn would still have a sjority.
I he result oil these seven residential E.
lections may be summed up in the follow.
big remarks.
In 8 instances the result Of the election
would O, have beeu altered by the opposi-
Con # Virginia,