Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1816-06-19
From the National Intelieencer.

Men IN general have not that opportu-
NIFTY OF ascertaining the prevailing temper
OF the times. as to particular measures or
particular men, which is afforded to con.
ductors OF newspapers, who exchange pa
pers with three or four hundred editors
from every part of the country. To them
is opened source of amusement and in.
structlon,6 this interchange, which af-
iords gratihcations, cOunterbalancing, in
degree, the vexatiOns of the editorial bu
slness. The copiousness of matter they
afford, sometimes distracts them as much,
as at other times its scarcity. Never was
the held so barren as at thismoment, (which,
so lar from repaying the reaper's tolls, will
scarcely afford materials for the cleaner.
The leading topic Of discussion, at the
present day, as many of our readers will
be surprized to learn, is the Act passed at
the late session Of Congress, for changing
the mode of compensation to the members
of Congress.
The establishment of vast monied cor
poration; the provision for adjusting i'm
mense claims against the government for
military services and losses the esta-
blishment of totally new tariff of duties.
having an equally important bearing on
agriculture, commerce and manufactures {;
all these measures pass almost without re.
mark OF approval or disapproval--the pre-
sdentIal election itself even calls forth
few pens.
But the compensation bill has reused
those spirits that would otherwise have
slumbered at their posts for want of occu-
patton. 1t has done more it has not on
ly pointed the pens Of some of our ablest
writers, but has inspired those with elo-
quence who never spoke before.
In Kentucky, particularly, it has excl
ted much controversy, and produced an
opposition to some men, whose popularity
might have been supposed invulherable.
| we are not surprised at the force of public
| opinion, thus excited in which consists the
moral strength of our government but we
are surprised that the public opinion should
be what it is. We should be still more
concerned, should this single measure.
right or wrong, be permitted to cancel the
merit Of life of honest assiduity and chi.
various zeal in support of the best interest.
OF the nation. 1t would be truly surpris
] ing if the reelection Of such men as Hen
! ry Clay and Richard NJ. Johnson were tC
be jeopardized by vote, by many beIiey
ed to have been honest and disinterested
Even we're their votes unwiae, on thi
question, which we humbly think has ne
yer been demonstrated, il would afford n,
sufficient ground for excluding men from
seats in Congress, which they have uni
formly filed with honor to themselves ant
advantage to their country.
Every human beiDgis fallible; and non,
ought to be condemned for single error
| ESPECIALLY on doubtful question: excep
by those who are satisfied Of their owl
claim to perfectibility.
! That Representatives are responsible I,
the People for due execution Of the du
ties entrusted them, is a truism needin,
no demonstration. But it never couIt
have been designed by the trainers of III,
constitution, that legislative duties SHOULD
be performed without adequate compensa
ton. The legislator, it appears to us
should be placed not only above the tenn
tation to aggrandiSe himself by direct pc