The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1823-09-26

I'll Wit II aFA3 tIHtAffY Hb4@EiJ anu ~
or at defiance, intercepts all freedom of
personal communication, tears away the
securities and confidence of friendship, aud
,nbiiiers the last feeble moments ola great
mans life with iugratiude, malevOlence
md controversy.
One thing only could give color 10 such
conduct. Sonie great plan of treason to
lie disclosed some powerful sedIliOn to be
frustrated sumo inlminenlly and alarming
combination, which admitted neither doubt
or delay lest il should osefturn the liter
ties OF the country, or plunge lis cltizcns IN
the miseflss pf evil war some great na-
tional calamity to BIZ avoided these might
possibly be accepted as an excuse for com;
Knitting bold act of ingratltude and de-
ception, aud tramping over the minor vir-
tues of faith, hospitality aud honor, tn IN
terpose a shield for the protection of the
country. Even then, in such crisis nj ne
ceseiiy, the common pr0yerb would admit
It's full power of application
" Men like the treason, while they despise
the traitor "
Does any thing like this EXIST Is any
such cast pretended Surely not. The
times present no such emergency. The
object of the publication isindeed no where
distinctly stated, and yet the design is SUI
iciently apparent. Its object is to dimin-
ish the character and fame of the distin-
gnlshed citizen, who has occupied III the
course Of his long life an extraordinary
portion Of public attention, by imputing 10
him opinions and conduct not now very
generally popular. II is to ALLEVIATE his
friends and renew the irritation Of his per-
sonal or political enemies ; Ia shew an in
consistency between his public and his
private correspondence, and to represent
his present opinions as proceeding from
motives unworthy of his glory. But why,
may it be asked, pour out torrent OF in
dignity on a man eveIed for his age and
removed by that cause from competition
ar rivalry with the factions OF the day ]?
Why attempt to obscure the setting Of that
sun whose meridian blaze Eliminates the
history of the Republic Why diminish,
or attempt TO diminish, the stock % glory
which the nation has in the greatness Of
its patriots Of early time? Why intr,ide
into the circle of domestic xSusion, TO
wound with ingrattude, or bring new
storm of rccrimination ard resentment on
that head which demands security in the
feebieness of years. viii the painful
emotions, or the private gri.ts, of this ven
cradle man help the FORTUNE, or preserve
the Independence, of his country? No:
II this patriarch of The revolution was alone
To be injured, the malice OF the most i'm
placahle enemy would not have roustlenod
the remaining pathway of his life. A more
active spirit is the object of attack. A
guarded end mailed champion might de
lend himself; the blows which are aimed
at him are Intellectual, for integrity sup
Plies him with the arinor Of Achilles. The
wounds lIe receives must therefore he ;n-
illcted through the side of defencelcss age.
II suits better with the courage of SEINE
combatants to assail these who have laid
aside their buCkler, than the formidable aud
active antagonist who can return two
blows for one. The effort rs alike ineffec-
tnal aud cowardly. This is without doubt
the design but tine principles, opinions and
remarks displayed in these letters can
have no effect injurious to any Of Mr.. a.
dams descendants. They are his writings,
not theirs The sins Of the fathers cameo
be visited upon their children, unless they
arc actual accessories by some overt act
and not by mere lmputaton. He, and he
alone, must de .answerable.
The character of the venerable ex Pre-
sidcnt gives no title, aud never was preten-
ded to give any title to any of his family :;
to receive the honors Of public life, can
by no possibility diminish it. In this coen-
try the claims of family are the last that
are urged, as most certainly they ate the
last which would be listened 10 with pa
tlcnce. We have no famiirs. Every man
is the founder of his own fame, and the
architect of his own honor Wealth may
descend from generation 10 generation, but
character has no hereditary quality
Proud as any one might be of descent
from ilustrious men who have guided the
ear of our revolution, or directed the des-
tinlcs of the nation, the feelings of self
satisfaction would be all they could re-
ceive.
II IS mt on parental hat on personal ser
vices; II is not by the honors of ancestry,
but on the merits, the ability, the patriot
Ism aud the worth of the candidate him
sell, that amy man may hepe to acquire the
suhrages OF the American people. A Ger
tam jealousy which prevails in little minds
would 'ather prevent the acquisition OF
great honors by son If they had been
enjoyed by his father. BY the constitu-
ton of the human mud, animesty is more
vivid and more lasting than kindness i; the
dcsce1dant therefore of an eminent man
would start in public life with the i'll will Of
those whom his ancestor had offended,
without corresponding affection on the
part of those who had form.,iy been his
friends. But no such little feeling, ~ pal
try and miserable jealousy will be encour-
aged by the American people. They will
Judge every man ON his own merits
They viii regulate their opinion, not by
reference TO his ancestors, but by strict
examination of himself. In this respect
A.