Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1815-07-12

~ uSeuS, shlo afterwards dispose of him IN lli
| turn, IN the sumo bloody manner IN which Robes
tperre himself had d'sptsed OF thousand, bef,re
Why have we seen Napoleon Bonpparre called f,
the throne of France, then compelled 20 abandon
II, bourbon acknowledged as his successor. and
now we see Napoleon, again decorated with his
imperial purole, and seated on the throne which
he was so lately forced TO weld Il is because
man is ever liable 10 change his opinions. sone.
times thinking highly Of part euler things, then
thanking badly OF The same things sometimes
cnF9ptured With parsicplarTep, then showcrine.
on the same men, the most bitter aud reproach-
~ 'anguage, &c. &c. &c. If tien, This be the
cha'actcr Gilman, as think it is, nothing is lef.
on winch TO bottom ahope that this character is
ever to be materially changed, and all that is left
for us to do, is, so 10 conduct ourselves as TO
make II least probable that shall be selected rs
Mt objects for dennnciation or that If it shall be
our fate to offend, to coriuct ourselves after
wards rs TO chance the public sentiment aud
this, admit. may be effected TO a very great ex
tent, after tire heated passions shall have cooled
Having said thus much OF the abstract nature
oFman, proceed to slew how lavisfly the prin.
c.P'es which have here enumerated, have been
practically applied to the Honorable WrLLrAx b.
GIrEs. lam Auced to bring tl,is gentleman be-
fore public AZ this time, because, Il IS said, and
believe trliy that he is abort to retire from the
national councils trive1 no Doubt, BY the voice
shall endeavor 20 demonstrate
FIasr--Tacf f.r. men 3, he C-aitef ,S.atr, huuc
higher ciatas n6on their country thcai .lIr
SEeoSptr--1hdt tie course of e0,iI,,et h1,rsueel
tosca,ris nm 6v tie br-sas,t asl,rinistrafion and
me NIesI siA LrsIsLArCRE, has been l.n4sise
and unjust. Ind
Ta1RDLr--IAat his retirement from pubic life
rgiH DC national epI Of no t,qRing consitle-
srFF.
In endeavoring to establish the truth of the
propositions here laid down, think it proper to
remark, that throughout my whole life, / have
been not only an approver of Mr. Madison's poll
teal character, but Chat have often very often
spoken OF BIN in strains of admiration that at
this moment L think as highly of his virtues. as
OF any other MANS, and surely none Will be dis.
posed 20 question his talents. Nothing. there
fore, which will be found in these numbers.
viii, Ihope, be construed into any thing differ
ent from my proper feelings towards Mr.. Madi-
son, and which again declare 10 be not only
entirely friendly, but filed with confidence IN
the Purity of his principles. Like other men.
however, he is iall,be, and with his share of that
variable quality, which dwells SO emphatically
on my mind, as beng attached to the human
| character, think he has committed some errors
towards Nir. Giles which are not ola hidden cha.
racteT, and that his conduct towards him has not
been as just and conciliatng as has been his con
duct towards others. am unwilling 20 believe.
however, that this has been done by Mr. Madi-
son, with a knowledge of any injustice attached
to II ON the Contrary, believe it to be the ef-
feet OF mans fraity, With the best intention to
! do right; but from whatever Cause the fact NAV
have taken its rise, the injury done TO Mr. Giles
IS the same, and to repair this injury would be
| my highest pride, without designing in the
slightest degree 10 ar. aign Mr.. Madison before
the bar OF the pablo. Ia e.lSleavoring TO present
this subject lie most respectful manner, shall
carefully AVOID the Use OF any language which
may be calculated 10 excite the feelings; would
| prefer, If had 1t N my power, rather TO reduce
einiamrl-tionwhichb asunfortunateiyto
| ly marSed .he American character for the last
| seven Years, and trom which ] believe our coun.
| Try has not all been benefited. NV only object
IS TO effect change IN public opinion, aud to re-
store this much injured man to the high ground
| winch he has ut former PERIOD occupied; and
| - winch le IS no less Roro entitled than at any
| former time. Many viii no doubt exclaim, that
the TASK which have marked out for nyseiFis a
"eavy one; granted; and the reply is, that al.
though 1T be so, the burthen does not arise from
| any want OF Solidity in the ground on which nv
feeDie arguments are to lest, but 1t grows out OF
the difficulty of combating, successfully, popu.
| lar prejudice; although the arguments which
may be addressed to the understanding shall be
| repiete w;th reason and with truth and the fur.
views IN that imposing dress, which they are very
CAPABLE ofreceiving at the hands of genius and
OF fancy. The human mind is pre-disposed to
| prejudice, which governs and curtals ali the
liner FEELINGS of the heart, and beneath its inlu.
ence every other consideration wi;hers, sinks, AZ
Les let rumor once whisper the sound of sus.
| picion only, against virtue and innocence, and
the beautiful object falls v.ctim and is lost for.
ever. Such IS the organization of the mind
that when prejudice once seizes upon it, the
J voice of reason is no longer heard it is driven
far away, and if, al some distant and future time
reason shall resume her dominion, and. aided
| by reflection, shall tell the once preiudiced
MUD of lis past errors, the pride Of mankind is
| such, that few Instances VIII be found, IN which
| such error VII be openly and frankly avowed
yet, it peTchance, the popular tide shall turn in
some mysterious and uDaccountable way, which
| has no beginning, then, indeed, the suffering vic
! tim may be redeemed, and Justice NAV be done
! TO his YiTtues for, however strange it may seem,
It is not the less true, that men may be readily
found 10 JON in the popular CRY, when it is once
! raised, although tie same men could never be
| Brought TO begin the cry however wei convinced
| they may be OF its truth ana justice and thus
has many valuable man been LOST, because some
| -IrTsfides could nOt be found TO make the fret
| tendeT OF The hand Of justice. IN regard To Mr.
Giles, tins unnatural principle has been carried
stl farther his prophetic voice before the com
lnencement OF the lt!le war, has been since verified
! IN degree which shews an acuteness of penetra.
tor, at once illustrating his sur rior powers as
| statesman, and although many Of The nsasTes
1etich he then recommended as proper to be adopted
| but which wore rejected I,-.e .s.,c.