The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1813-02-04

greatest lover OF his species in the world
he would not hurt sparrow, if you take his
own account of the matter. What, then
do nature and the relations of things teach
they teach this, that the great hazard, i'm
government, where the chief Magistracy
is elective, is from the ioem ambition o.
states and the Personal ambition of indivi-
dudls. 1t is no reflection upon any state to
say, that, it is ambitious. According &c
their opportunities and temptations, all
states are ambitious. This quality is AS
much predi:able of states, as of individu-
ais. Indeed state ambition has its root, i'm
the same passions of human nature, and
derives its strength from the same nutri-
ment, as personal ambition. All history
shows, that such passions always exist, a
mong states. combined in confederacies.-
10 deny it, is to deceive ourselves. 1t has
! existed, it does exist, and always must ex-
ist. In our political relations, as in our
personal, we then walk most safely, when
we walk, with reference to the actual eX-
istcnce OF things; admit the weakness, and
do not hide from ourselves the danger, to
which our nature is exposed. Whatever
is true, let us confess: Nations, as we'll as
individuals. are only safe, in proportion as
they attain self knoaviedge; and regulate
their conduct by it.
What fact, upon this point. does our own
experience present 1t presents this stri-
KING one-that, taking the years for which
the presidential chair is already filled into
the account. our Of trvenfy eight years since
our constitution mas esfa6Gshed the single
STATE Of Virginia has furnished The Presi-
aenfJor fIoenty -four years. And farther,
it is now as distinctly known, and familiar
~ talked about in this city and vicinity, who
IS the destined successor of the present
President, after the expiration of his en- !.
suing term, and known, too, that he is to
be Virginian, as it was known and fami-
liarly talked about during the presidency
OF Mr.. Jefferson, that the present President
was to be his successor. And the former
was. and the latter is, a subject of as much
notcriety, and, to human appearance. of as
much certainty, too. as who will be the sue
cessor to the British crown is a matter of
notoriety in that country. To secure this
succession and keep it in the destined line,
has been, is. and will continue to be the
main object OF the policy of these men,
lhts IS the hoint on suhich the Projects ofthe
eaoinef, for the three years hasf, haze been
brought TO 6ear-that James the first should
be made 10 continue four gears longer find
Ems rs The hoint on which the PROJECTS ofthe
cabinet will be brought TO bear for The three
years TO come-that James the second shall
De made TO succeed, acc ordiug TO the funda
mental reacrl'ss Of the Monticeliian dynas-
fy.
IMr. Quincy was here again called TO or
der. The Speaker said, that really the gen.
tleman laid his premises so remote from his
conclusions, chat he could not see how hi,
observations applied to the bill.
Mr.. Quincy proceeded. On the contra
nv, sir. maintain that both my premises *
conclusions are very proximate to each
other; and intimately connected with the
bill on the table, and with the welfare of this
people.
Is it not within the scope ofjust debate to
show that the general policy of the cabinet,
and that also this particular project, have
tor their subject the ACKNOWLEDGEMENT of the
CABINET themselves, or some member of it !
ii this De the object offthe bill, is it not pro-
per to be exhibited The topic may be of
nature high and critical, but no man can
deny that it is both important and rele
want. TO secure the power they at pre-
| sent possess-to perpetuate it in their own
hands--Sc TO transfer it to their selected favo-
rites, is the great project of the policy of the
members or our cabinet. 1t would be easy
to trace to this master passion the declara
ton OF war, at the time and under the Cir
cumstances in which it occurred. Antece
dent to the declaration of war, it was dis
| tinctly stated, by individuals from that
quarter of the country under the influence
OF which this war was adopted. that the
! shfiflorr offbe fresent President ofthe u
Mtcd SAFES by their quarter offhe con,s,ry
deftended upon tie face Of the cabinets
coming Nh to The fioint Of pcr with Great
Britain. This state of things, & the know
ledge OF it by the members of the cabinet,
was repeatedly urged in conversation by
members OF this and the other branch of
the Legislature, to shake the credulity i'm a
declaration of war which at that time ex-
listed in some OF our minds. Without pIa-
eng any reliance on the reports of that
day, this l assert unequivocally and with
out fear OF contradiction, that such were
the passions which existed in the southern
and western states, and such the avowed
determination to war, that had not the ca
binet come up to that point. it's influence in
those quarters was at an end-without tn cir
support, the reelection of the present chief
magistrate was hopeless. Now, sir, when
continuance of power is put into the scale
rs in this instance it was unquestionably-
it is not for human nature to DENY that il
had not material influence in determining
the balance. For myself, have never had
but one opinion on this matter have ne
YER doubted that we should not have had
war declared at the last session, If the Pre-.
sidentlal election had not been pending.
Just so with respect to the invasion OF
Canada. 1t was, in my judgment, test
required by the state of opinion in the SOU
thern and western states of the sincerity OF
the cabinet. and its heartiness in the pro.
secution of this war This accounts for IN
strange and headlong haste, and the want M