Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1815-09-06


members OF The sonie Legislature, but IS actually
eulogized. foe lis talents and patriotism, by ma
nv of those no had Just denounced Mr.. Giles in
the most solemn form.
trust shall not be met here viii, the fact,
that the Virginia Assembly had nothing to do
with MIR. Crawford, and that therefore he was
not denounced if any shall thus answer me. the
reply is, that if they condemned the principle in
Mr.. Giles the same principle being carried TO
much greater lengths by Mr.. c. ought certainly
10 be expected to meet the same fate and al
though the General Assembly of Virginia, did
not feel authorize 10 denounce Mr.. &. an The same
form which il had denounced Mr.. G.; yet this
Cannot be consistently given as a reason why the
same members should. express very high conf
dence in MIR Crawford; on the contrary should
expect that those who had denounced the prnci-
Piles in Mr. Giles i'll the high character of aLegs-
lative act, would, as saoiridndls, condemn the
same principle in Mr. G.. But this was not So
and 1 venture to affirm that Mr.. Madison las
rladeno appointment, since the commencement
ofthe war, which has been more popular with
those republican gentlemen who have denounced
MIR Giles, than the appointment of Mr.. Crawford
20 tue various Offices which he has lstely filed
and what reason can be given in explanation Of
this obvious inconsistency may put this ques-
ton in the most emphatic manner, and from
those WHO are implicated in its solution, shall
expect 10 answer, yet an answ er may he given by
NiiOsS NtiOi.lNS naO experience III poiitCdh
upon this ground, however, shall tread lightly,
for its exposition affords me no pleasure, is it
nee essary TO my purpose.
Certainly Mr. Madison did not agree with the
General Assembly in tlieir principles of denunci-
alton, arising from Senatorial denial of the man
datory character of Instructions, and if proof be
called for, il viii be found i'll his attachment TO
Mr. Crawford and the promotion of this gentle
man TO the highest honors which Mr.. Madison
could confer, at time when Mr. G. had just de-
livered his sentiments upon the same sub ect for
which Mr.. Giles had been denounced and when
he not only concurred with Mr.. G.. but had
tuslly gone so far as 10 deao,aoe tie principle Of
insttaciio,s, aud he Lssisatares that aoted them,
whilst the Legislature found in Mr.. G. an able
advocate for the purity OF its motives.
Suppose then the Virginia Assembly was right
IN the course which il pursued towards Mr..
Giles, let us see to what state OF things the doc
tfine would conduct us, after which, tie people
can decide for themselves how far hey ought to
give i; their sanction.
IF Mr. Giles speech upon the character of in
structious TO Senators be iustifable ground for
the Legislature to withdraw from him ali polti-
cal confidence, it will also be Z good reason why
the Virginia Assembly should withdraw its con-
fdence from all other men who entertain the same
opinions with Mr.. Giles upon that subject, aud if
II was right for the Virginia Assembly to make
public denunciation Of Mr.. Giles, because he
did not eraeay agree with item in their doctrine
upon that principle, it would be right for ali
other persons and bodies corporate, TO 6enounce
other persons, standing in the relative stu
alton towards them, that Mr.. G. stood towards
the Virginia Assembly.
ask, then, in the first place, why the Legs
lature of Georgia. did not denounce Mr. Craw-
ford for his bold denial OF the principle of in
structions on the floor Of the Senate ofthe Uni
ted States Give me leave 20 hope, reader, that
the Virginia Assembly Will not presume to say,
that they have more republicanism, and more
patriotism, than either the Legislature, or the
people of Georgia if they should take upon
themselves to say so, very much fear that they
would not find themselves well supported, be-
cause believe the weight of evidence is some
what against them-I am not sufficiently well
acqusint ed with the political acts of Georgia, TO
compare them with those ofthe Va. Assembly
but let uslook at the ressonairepresentation
from each state, which think is somewhat
test OF principle, and see which state has most
to boast of, upon the score of republicanism.-
From Yirginis nc find one third of the repre-
sentation in Congress- ojposionistS, and 50 II has
been since the FIRST appearance ofparties. From
Georgia, we find the Congressional representa-
tion, unanimously republican, and SO it has been
for many years past Has Virginia manifested a.
NY better disposition to defend the country, and
TO aid the General Government in all its Difficult
tiers than Georgia hast Look 10 the history OF
filt war, aIO NIiiSN SNC fhshiil Aul SANNiN
for her zeal and frmness in the contest, must
he allowed to say, that Georgia is entitled to
rank along side of her, &c. &c. &c. These two
views are sufficient TO shew, that neither uIon
the score ofrepubicanism, or pronptitude in de-
fence oftbe country, has Virginia any thing 10
claim over Georgia; and yet these two states
have acted very different part towards Their
Senators, who had expressed nearly the same o.
pinions upon the same subject.
Both cannot have been right, and yet &c we en-
uuire winch OF then, has been wrong, perhaps it
would be difficult 10 obtain an answer but if
we enquire which ofthem has acted most pru-
IDENTIFY and most wisely, I hazard very little in
saving, that believe Georgia would get almost
an unanimous vote amongst the wise men OF the
country The Legislature ofGeorgia, seems 10
have had proper regard for the character of
their Senator's, and therefore acted with GOODNESS
sntl with wisdom whilst the Legislature OF Va.
unfortunately permitted itself to be thrown from
lis balance, by that heat and excitement, which
ought never to be allowed 10 mix with legisa-
tive deibcrations-but TO pursue the doctrine OF
the Virginia Assembly. Although Mr.. Craw-
ford, the senator from Georgia, did go much
greater lengths than Mr.. Giles did, upon tins
question Of instructions, yethe was not denOuu-
ced BY the Legislature Of his state and ii The
Assembly Of Virginia was right, the Legislature
0fGeOrg,a was very regardless ofrepubHcdH Pr'n.
cibes, in not dcno,mcing NIr. G. and falling TO do
% the people Of Georgia ought to have deHoun
ced their Legislature for departure from princ-
pie, and as they have failed 90 do so, thcn the
e - rnIt