The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1823-07-04
roa qme vIRaSlAS-No. II.

foR 1nE vInoIN1AN--No. IL.
IN my last No. gave a summary ofthe
eonsid.raiion-N hich ciretly attached me 10
the cause III Mr.. AJamS IN the great can
vass, nov conducting before the Amesican
people. Since that fme, further "tnfni-
ration of the early political HE of this
gentleman, has almost satisfied me, thai IN
admitting his Original federalism, have
admitted What hs opponents could not
have established. Ills votes during The
period OF his hoidisg seal al the Senate Of
the United States, which IL the only part
Of his life bel,re his secession from the le.
drral party, ia which he had an opportnul-
~ of Displaying his party attachments, if
they do not prove his adhesion To The all
ninisiration and policy Of Mr.. Jefferson,
.yet very satisfactorily etlncc an enlgbteu-
ed aud uuprludrcd oppOstlon. These
votes, all al least that the most nflexlbe
admirers oi that great and celebrated ad-
minisiratinn could deem oh eeiloRable, have
been collected with indela1 s,be industry,
and tortured with the most malicious in
gGnuty, by the personal enemy of the Sc
cretafy uf State From ms voting Against
Proposition to wear grape Tor the decrease
of an eminent individual his hatred To ~.
puhIicaHism has been inferred, and ffom
his opposition 10 the Louisiana bdl his
repue nance to Mr.. Jefferson and his nd
ADMINISTRATION has been roubdly asserted,
though il is We'll known that somr of the
most ardent republicans. then IN Congress
likewise opposed il upon principle. But
with all The ad, antagrs which ihr lanse of
time, and an erpatte renrrsentallono these
votes, afforded 10 Gen. Smyth, with I'll The
latitude of construction lac assumed 10 he
assignment OF motives. aud OF logic in
drawing his conclusions, iiisrrsearches ave
only had the effect of convincing the world,
aud even The uInSt insetcrate of.Nr. Adj
ans enemies, 81 the purity of his COZ duct
lnd tue consistency of his politics. II his
federalism caonot be- established from that
portion vi his public sertieei there ~ not Il
pretence for asserting - on any daher
grounds.
In noticing more particularly the argn-
ments OF Mason, congratulate myself in
having an antagonist who is appropriated
enough ~ see the mreasonabepesS Of this
objection, aud lngenuous enough 10 ielin-
qnish his opposition to Mr.. Adams, on that
account. gason expressly acknowledges
the sincerity OF MIR. Adams reeaniaton,
and admits the uelmpeschabre consistency
OF his course -;nce tiat event. He does
not deserve the ltSs errdrt for this eonces-
sion, that Mr.. Adams, having been always
republican, had no errors to recanI, and
having been always uniform, has been al
ways consistent. But, SAYS Mason, do
object Ia MIR Adams that be wants deci-
sion, and that upon great and constitutional
questions he has no fixed aud settled OPP
Mons Do you, indeed Z viii presently
examine Mas0n's proofs of this hci.ious
charge but iirst beg leave Ia premS,,
that Il Is contrary to the whole tenor OF
christian morals aud charity, rs well as 10
good sense, To infer the guilt Of = party
from one single isolated aud vocal act
Could Mr.. Adams sentiment IN relation To
the power of congress over the constitu-
son, asexpressed in his reply to the char
ges of Gen. Smyth, bear Tie construction
Which Mason and Henry put upon it, ii
would be- extremely unfair Ia weigh one
expression, and that in all probability the
effect nt particular circumstances, and not
at deliberate 'eplrhon, against the tenor of
his whole public life. But am not driven
Ia the necessity az appealing To the Justice,
the charity oreycn the good sense Of these
gentlemen. How stands the casef Mr..
Adams, IN 'indcating his vote in opposition
TO the bib for taking possession of Lonisl.
una, objected Ia him by Gen. Smyth, as
evidence of his hostility 10 .hat policy of
Mr.. Jefferson, soiemnly declares that he
was friendly To that Territorial acquisition,
anu that he was opposed to the particular
moue oi taking possession, aud exercising
the rights sol sovereignty, entirely upon
constitutional scrhples. He says, aad he
says truly, that 10 unite in one person ex-
tcutsse, Legislative and Judicial authority,
IS expressiy Ia violation Of the fundamental
principles OF tue American government.
ct the net agthnrising the President of the
United States 10 take POSSESSION of Ioui
siana, expressly empowered him 10 estab-
Iish In that country such s,rm of tempo
rary government as to him seemed most
expedient, and we all know that this DIES
polc form WAS adopted, and that at a later
period II served as a model Tor the govern
nient instituted in Florida, and which Gen.
jackson soimperously swayed, tothe ter
fuf Of the Inhabitants, and the indignation
Of all good citizens. Now, is it not a sia-
GUAR Inconsistency, or, rather, ia il not a
most unp'inciPled and mblushing act of
malicions assurance, that this very vote,
cots -'entions, because lis opposite would
have been violation of the constitution
which ne was sworn to support, and emf
f1ehtly rennhiicad9. Because the essence of
fepublicanisln, in the party neauug Of that
Term, IL reverence for the constitution
should afferw ards be objected by r-puh-
ican member of congress, against Mr.. Ad-
sns. as a pfoof. Of his Federalism MIR.