Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1815-09-27

10 these general principles | will add a
lew remarks. will take it for granted.
that all the French gave their consent Ia
the measure proposed but would that be
the free voice of the French people which
is conveyed in registers where every citi-
zen IS obliged to record Individually his
vote Who does not know the influence
OF the authority which presides ON such
occasions? From all parts of France, it is
SAID, is manifested the desire of the citi-
zens Tor the re-establishment of hereditary
monarchy but are we not authorized TO
consider as factiuus an opinion, cOacen-
trated almost entirely among the public
functionaries, when ne know the incon-
veniences of expressing contrary Opt
mon when we know that the press is so
enslaved, that 1t is impossible to insert in
any newspaper whatever, the most res
pecttul and moderate remOnstrance.
Certainly there could be no hesitation
respecting the choice of hereditary chief,
u 1t were necessary to have One.-Is il
hoped, By creating ne y dynasty, to has
ten the happy epoch of general peace /?
Will it not rather be a new obstacle p
Are You certain that the great powers of
Europe will acknowledge this new title (?
and If they DO not, viii you take up arms
to compel them Or, after having degrad =
ed the title Of consul below that Of Empe-
ror, will you be cOntented with thata con-
sui for foreign powers, aEdan emperor only
for the French people 2--Ahd will YOU
Jeopardize, for vain title, the security
and prosperity of the whole nation
1t appears 10 me then, extremely doubt
full, whether the new order Of things pro-
misses more stability than the present
there is but one means for the govern
ment TO strengthen itselE-thGt is to BE-
Just not to suffer Iavoritism to prevail
OYER services /; to provide some security
against peculation and iinposture. Far be
from me all personality or criticism upon
the conduct of government 1t is against
arbitrary power itself that speak, and
not against those in whose hands this
power may reside.
Was liberty, then, only shown to man
that he might never enjoy it? Was it in
cessantly offered to his desires as fruit
which he may not touch without belnu
struck by the hand OF death ?-Has ma.
ture, then after making this liberty one of
''' liOot itNoNliiS waits, ItiNSCu Us It's
blessings, like cruel step mother? No
l cannot consent to regard this good, so
universally preferred to all Others, and
without which all others are nothing, as
mere phantom. My heart tells me that Ii
berty is practicable; that its dominion is
more easy and more stable than any arbi
tIary government or elisarchY.
Nevertheless, Irepeat it, always ready
to sacrifice my dearest affections to the
interests of our common country, I shall
be content with having caused the voice Of
a free mind to be once more heard Oh this
occaaon and my respect for the law will
be so much the more to be relied on. as il
is the fruit of long misfortunes and of that
reason which this day imperiousIy de-
mands that we should unite together
against the implacable enemy of all of
that enemy who is always ready to foment
our divisions aud for whom all means are
lawful, so that he can obtain his object
oppression and the dominion of
the seas.
Ivote against the proposition.