Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1816-07-03
VIRGINIA ARGUS.
We 6sbafe< januiis, ct s0nvent dscute=.
Richmond, Jtiy 8, 1916.
1ns EoyRrH or IrrxY

To morrow, the sun will beam on the fortieth
anniversary Of the day that gave birth TO the DO
litlcal Independence of Contederated America
That day was great, glorious day How
ought its return to be celebrated /! Ask us no,
such question. The thing must be felt. not
discussed.
We are no wild enthusiasts--Ours is the
calm sensibility of men, of citizens, under the
influence of honorable and virtuous emotions -
nor do we think that the picture OF what we en-
JOY, requires contrast to enhance its intrinsic
value, and the sombre tints of less striking CO.
jects, to set il off--Yet we az the rninjons of
pseudo'aristocracy, the apostles of despotism.
both temporal and sacred what scenes can Won
place by the SIDE of our popular festivals p
Where else is the Cessation OK tyranny over So
large and SO fair porlion OF the globe CONNIE
| morated! Perhaps, you will oppose to the sub
stantial benefits, 10 the lasting grandeur of re.
publican Institutions, the false tlnsel, the fue;-
i've briiiiancy OF teudal and hierarchicAl esta5-
lishments-those pompous marriages, so scancla
lousy expensve-those military pageants, those
anthems of blasphemous praise after butcherinp
ensiaVilg, or dividing nations, to God cf peace
bounteousness, and harmony--We might Bit
terry retort your satire every thing that is of
popular origin, by showing the absurdity and de
formity otyour apparently polished and adorned
systens.-Nay, we might drag to view the ghast-
~ and hideous phantom of royalty, from those
| recesses where it conceals either its debauchc
~, or Its insanity, and other in6fmties, whether
bodily ar men,Gl--ou humanity forbids us to draw,
up the curtain. We scorn such a triumph
we ask is that you would return to feeiinrz or
candour, truth, and justice, and acknowledre
that in the same manner rs, IN the physical
world, the LOFTY and sublime works of natures
plastic haid mock by their inherent naguifcencc
the productions of t:lc el ingenuity and tas, e
So in the moral world, there are creations whose
beautiful simplicity derides the laboured and
complex ornaments, the gothic splendor of ar,i
hcial fabrics OF society and government Grant
| us this else your incessant and absurd railerv
| must recoIl against your own idols
That excellent poll cal system which the wis.
dom Of revolutionary sages planned. which the
blood of revolutionary heroes cementc1 ths
proves of the present generation has not oniv
preserved, but strengthened, in second arduo,is
struggle with proud and powerful sdyersarv
All doubts respecting the solidity and the Ell
cheney OF the federal government, have vanished.
| that government has stood the various tests of
| time, experience, and opposition; it has stood
| the allurements of peace, and the assaults az
war. We may, therefore, fondly cherish the
cohsolatory hope that it will endure for ages.
Duthow is that hope TO be realizedl Let, s evoIte
the pages OF history let us listen To the voice of
| our sageS Wewlll learn from both that virtue
| IS the great conservative of republics. Without
morals, ships, cannon, soldiers, and all other war
iNo heA"' vi OhS'CS ana detence; as well as mo-
| ney, commerce, manufactures and all the ar,o or
peace; avail but little for the preservation of H.
| berry. Even wise and good laws are. in n great
degree, neutralized By the want of privat e and.
! consequently, OF public virtue; for the latter re-
| suits from the former. Morals, then. a.e The
chlef buiwark OF free states and morals are
Principally promoted by knowledge Let know
le1gei therefore, be as universally dffused as
| lghtand air. Regener4tng plans. are better Than
4 rcDre9SIVe measures. md IF To-
Newspaper has bad To record multiplied ins,ar.
ces OF crimes O. various descriptions NVbatev-
er may be the Causes of this sudden irr,pton of
immortality, 1t IS no less striking Than il IS deplo.
| rsble. We have before our eyes n1elancbnlv
catalogue OF crimes committed and rec4ded d,
ring ihe month which has just expired and MS
extent July Justfies the appelation of ;ro,j o,l
gwen to lie present time by the New. Yorl, r..
lumbar. 1t is All axiom in Politics. thar the
laws and the population Of country Constitute
the two terms OF fraction, viz It's mum orator
and denonInator. Their ratio must be prese,,ed
through all the changes which the fraction ;s
maze 70 undergo else IT is no longer the same
numerical expression. 1T YOU augment the po-
| puaton, you must give additional energy IN The
laws But the diffusion of knowledre 20 which
| we have alluded, presents more ann;able and
indeed, "a more efficient means of preserving in
the lower orders of society that virtue which 10
unnecessary element of public liberty and general
happiness Blind must we be TO our hest inte
rests, 1t we spurn from us those benefits which
the benevolent Lancaster, inspired. no doubt bv
an sf~ b0nnfyW PrSUideHee, has put il in our
power TO enjoy, and impart to others Those
who have, in the least degree, attended 20 the
| philosophy OF the human character. well knou,
that every human action is the conclusion of a
| syliogism, either simple or compound. If fine
premises be erroneous (Which will often be the
case with ignorant persons) the conclusion nnst
needs be so, and the action be, Of course. oh.
suFd, IT not wicked. We have particulariv n.
vsshgated this subject and we have found gu;l,
TO be much of,ener the result Of ignorance and
error than the consequence evil intention. For
inc sake OF society, then, let the benign Lobt al
knowledge be shed on all ranks and classes ~ 81.
tizens: The pure effulgence of morality win
soon follow that suspicious dawn, and irrad;ate
every part OF our political horizon.
These are, we know, trite observations b,,
'hey arc salutary, and cannot be too often ;ncuJ.
Gated. ------Snce we have begun 10 moralize
we will add few more >hackneyed. but ,,sef,l
remarks; Surely, il is pleasant 20 behold orr
rapid advance in wealth, in the elepancies and
all TIE arts ofpolished life but let us guard =.
sainst The dangerous poison of luxury. n NAV
cfeeF' slOpS wi'h wcsl1 spd refinement, into The