Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1813-04-19

an interest separate from ours; and, il he Of
tends us. A" French dog" and all the toiite
Cpithets that John Bull delights to bestow
on the people of France, is immediately on
the tip Of our tongues, TO be hurled at him
Such is the effect of vile education, that
e. gratis ON the youthful mind (for foiificai
views) a body Of prejudices that reason COM
bats weakly, and never, perhaps, eradicates.
Did the same caution guard us, in the pre-
sence of MIR. Hamilton, even while we were
at war with his native countryf No: his
language and manners were like on own
and his many services with a long residence
among US, had Invested us of the idea OF his
beng a foreigner. Every liberal man who
has made himself acquainted with the 70
Hicai character Of these eminent men, will
admit, that Mr.. H. was more decided fed
eralist," IN the estimation of the, JederGhistS,
than MIR. Gdhafm is a u" republican," III the
estimation of the republicans. Hence gen
orally proceeds party asperity but none
in opposition supposed Mr.. Hamilton less
honest or capable because he was born la
the British West Indies.
The fact is, from education and habit, we
readily admi, that an Engiishman has a sort
OF a right to dabble in our politics, though
he has only been one week imported; but
we constantly refuse the same cpurtes, to "A
Erenchman. his tongue always reminding us
that lac is IA foreigner" Hamilton was
great man /; and it matters not where he
was born. The mind OF a kdWSchafkaddie
and a " Lnnnuncr" are equally susceptible
of improven ent-equally capable of leading
the possessor to good life and the merit
lies with him who makes the nost advantage
of the oppcrtui les afforded to polish il.
If I'VE examine all the circumstances of life
W. may behold the operations Of these pre-
juuces againt France and Frenchmen in a
greater degree than most persons apprehend
and at the same time the predilic ion in
favor of England and Engfshmen will be
as completed, manifested. LDok at the
C.fec-houses in our commercia cities. Who
are the foreigners" th.l frequent them and
nirgle in the political discussion of the day?
They arc Engiishnscn; but we do not know
ihem for certainly as such-we wonder at
their cu,ogums upon roy atty, and are sur
prised at the contempt they express for our
republican Institutions; butt is soeop'mon
that we pass them by, even no7u, as the en-
joyment of that liberty nf speech to which
zge arc entitled. Ii French1,an we're to
speak thus, who would bear with him We
would ask him "zUhat right haze roU 10
Ti3icUle The fr"Sid@nf and libel congress 2'
and say" !fyou dont IKE the country icave
az. UrW send for you SOhen gue qvant yon,
&c. This disparity oftreatment arises from
the force of education as above referred to,
and from the CT cumstahce that we ALWAYS
Know a FrenchDGD- born TO be French
nan ? If every nativei ngiiShmUR had these
" crds, A" 4 AN IN ENCLISRMAN,' brand
ed on his forehead, We should not he so re-
Iusive Of him as we are cf a Frenchman,
though now at war with Gredt DJTiQin +; So
deepl' rooted are our prejudices.
Who are the .ffreigntrS that chiefly inter
fere IN our elections9 Though the French
are numerous in tie middle states, khty arer
no, Frenchmen. The French seldom go to 4
the polls; or ifthey d., merry vote and re-
tire. With much experience in election
n alters, / never saw but one Frenchman
distribute tickets ~ take an active part in
such Concerns but have often been surround
ca Ivy shoals of opposing EngH5hmen and
SEQ chmsn. My country had given them
thu right t. de so, and never disputed the
practice of it; though ] may have thought,
some times, they oversteppcd the modes
ty' of their condition. ct every man tx
anime his own experience and he will see
the force O. these plain remarks / knew
p'ruy EngLsimcn in o9--9 who discharg-
G, heir mechanics, 81 because they would
nat ote As ordered. i MS was a matter of
& nrse in some parts of the union. Was
the like ever done by Frenchman 2
This subject shall be resumed hereafter.