Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1813-06-07

we nave q most excellent constitution ,,-I
beautiful bin rights, and most iaviss;'
Die antipathy to KINGLY PowER!"
These are the words with which one.of IN.
actious prints ironically concludes AN Mtic,,
81 raise accusation and bitter abuse of the g..
Vernment. THUS II is that faction raves when
Il IS overPowered by the virtue of the peon,e.
by such traits is ii that we distinguish Counter.
'eit from sterling patriotism. No politician
" honest feelings, however he might b-Iieve
'he conduct OF the national rulers to be iniuri-
Gus 70 ms country, would permit himself To in.
iu,ge in sarcastic sneers at the expence of our
form OF government. To abuse the admis,ra.I.
on merely shows that he is unfriendly to them,
10 sheer at our republic, displays his enmitA
10 IT. IL is the duty ct every citizen. If h. H.
iieVes the persons who administer that govern.
ment to be corrupt or unwise, to use IFS best
ehorts to Dust them, to vote against them, and
exert ms influence to prevail on. others to do,
the same, by exposing the error oftheir WAYS.
i'ut 1t IS not necessary for him as a plr,iz.n
and II is incompatible with his duty as a citizen
% extend his opposition to- the government
which they administer. The distinction be-
tween opposition to an administration and TO .
government, may be illustrated by the citation
ut a tamiiar case. Il is PROMISED for ;,st,,..
IN town corporation. to erect public build
ing, or TO mike a street. You oDpos. the nA,-
sure, because you believe it unnecessary and
unwise Bat what would the world tbink or
you, what would you think of Yourself what nu
nishment would be too severe, it YOU sat fire IN
thit builiing when IT was built, or that street
after 1t was opened You would be commit
ted to bedlam as a criminal. That the remedy
or the punishment is not extended To some of
NJ recent outrages of faction, i, to be attrib,-
'ed more to the ienity and liberation of our in
stitu'lons and ofthose who administer them.
than TO any merit in the offenders ~
But the licence allowed TO the press, which
We never wish to restrain, because il cannot he
restrained without lettering at the same time
It's constitutional freedom, brings with it this
special good. 1t laws bare the hear,s Of, men.
and shews us the outrage, of which they wonld
ne capable were they in power, by Inference
from what they do when disappointed of i,
ihere are many eminent mon IN the minority
many presses in opposition to the governments
whose Characters we are compelled TO resnec,
because we ind them acting consistently from
principle, and strictly within constitutional liz
ni's. But there are others, some to whom v,.
have IN former times looked uIon as coadiutors
and friends, who excite our adherence & con.
tempt, by the principles they avow, or the des.
picaoic meanness with which they besDatteS.
hose whom they themselves have deserted.
When we see men disappointed in a struggle for
power government, endenvo il G TO under,ni,,es
mat soVernment-when we Il I'D men str;ying a nh
tain elevation by popular favor and wben d,sat,
pointed, ri'ilculing the elective rranrhise-o,, ~
deavorng unduly 20 influence the course OF oreo.
pubic office, and on failure, vi,upe,.i ting hum.
Or, disappointed in a iavoite measure enolS yorinp
To thwart every other measure, when we see tLcs.
things MI which daily happen, snd examines e.rh
OF which are IN onr eve, We invariably set sneh men
DOWN IN the ranks OF faction, rs not worthy of bein
cassed ia any party. Oh each of such men. We
would say 70 our friends, as We say 10 uur rea.
'ers. HltrcGrtu, fomlte, c,,.yetn" w. ,xonI5
act with such MAJ jIst would in respect m
serpent or pestilence, by getting out OF his w.y
as speedily AZ possible.
Nat. Int,