Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1815-11-15

are to preserve the lustre of our glory, and
the dignity of our misfort,ines.
What must we do, gentlemen, to at
tam this last object? A thing very easy !;
we must choose the good, remove the wick
ed; destroy the deiusion, that spirit, ia
lent and energy are monopoizeslby those
who have failed in their duties, and that he
| alone is clever who is perverse.--Let
France call to her assistance good men,
and France shall be saved. Europe will
not feel itself completely at ease till it
shall hear our orators, SO long bewildered
IN gloomy doctrines, profess those princi-
pies of justice and religion, which are the
basis OF all society, and we ourselves shall
not regain our weight in the political ba-
lance till we resume ourrank in the moral
system.
Permit me, gentlemen, to address you
With the franknessof the country where L
was born; this is not the time to observe
a delicacy which might be fatal Unques-
tonably we must extinguish division, we
must cicdtr.ise wounds, we must throw
over the failing of our brethren the veil of
Christian charity, forbid all indulgence in
reproaches, recrimination and vengeance,
and after the example of the king. pardon
the injuries which we have suffered. But,
gentlemen, there is wide space between
this necessary indulgence aud that crimi--
nal impartiality, which being obliged to
choose, would select the objects of its
choice from the good and the bad alike,
and make no distinction between princi-
pies and opinions, actions and words.
lin the ultimate result, it were the
same thing to have committed or not to
have committed crime, to have kent or
violated an oath if when the storm is
over, we offer the same treatment to him
who has excited, and him who has allayed
it fboth enjoy the same degree of conf
dence, and share equally in the same die
mites and honors, would not the men of
integrity be discouraged Let us not make
the path OF duty so revolving. Are we
anxious to repair the disasters Of our coun-
try ? Let us not allow those who profit by
our reverses, to persist in calling virtue the
profession Ola dupe, a scornfuiexpression
which sometimes escapes us in the lassi-
tude OF misfortune, as well as in the inso-
ience OF prosperity. Let us heap upon
this virtue the treasures of our esteem and
cur tayors-it will restore our gifts with
usry. To overlook in our Kindness the
artiicers of our troubles is only Justice
Justice is not reaction, neglect Is not VENICE
ance. a man must not think himselPpu-
nlshed because he is not rewarded for the
crimes he has committed. Do these de-
serve, our sutfrages who have conducted
Within the walls Of our cities foreigners
whom the arms of our ancestors arrested
at the gates Nevertheless, if such men
could be found among you, you would wit
ness them presenting themselves as candi-
dates and even with an unembarrassed
countenance soliciting your support--for
III this age vice has acquired the candOr of
virtue, and corruption the simplicity of in
nocence. But thanks to the excellent spi-
mt OF this department., you will not gentle
men, be reduced to make those painful DIS
tinctlOns /; among your members we behold
only devoted subjects of their king. Al
ready the colleges of the .alrondtsenent
present to your choice candidates as dis
tlnguished for their talents as for their in
trepid conduct and their noble character.
Happy embarrassment of abundance.
where the only regret felt arises from not
being able to nominate all, to choose all
Fidelity to the throne of st. Louisis among
tile OrtenoSs an hereditary virtue they
preserved their ramparts for Charles the
Victorious, as they have their hearts for
Louis Tie Desired. Who is ignorant gen
tlemen that your city, during our civil
storms was the refuge of all prosecuted
Frenchmen! The fugitive priest found
here an altar, the servant of the King an
asylum in which they might worship their
God, or lament their master. Were not
you likewise the first who demanded the
liberation of that ilustrious orphan who is
now the pride and glory of France
As for myself, gentlemen, | shall al
ways regard the day in which was raised
to the honor Of presiding over your electo-
raj college as oRe of the happiest of my
life. The King, who registers the zeal of
his faithful subjects, has by this distinction
overpaid my feeble services. | have, how
ever, some little claim to your indulgence,
for believe that there does not exist
man who can more easily than myself en-
ter into your sentiments, Or who can bet
ter appreciate your loyalty. Like your
selves, | would surrender my life thou
sand times for the best Of princes and my
bcart has always oyerlowed with tears,
at the cry of love and safety, at the French
cry Of ViDe te Roi ~
Extract Of a sffer, daied