The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1826-03-30
on n Filing.


10 inspire an American with adnlira
{ ton. either Tor the excellence u
those Institutions. or for the charac
ter and talents otthusr WiIo preside
over them ; cannot. "a n lover %
my country, or NJ a Christian. look
with unr"nCern upon any thing
which lessons their importance, or
casts II shade over their moral or po-
litical aspect.
AZ this moment, our country
stands the gaze Of all the civilized
world. Aud for prize worth all
our ioyoaS vigilance and n naton's
efforts, We are running race in the
career Of fame and of human glory !;
the result of which time will in
scribe Oh his brazen monument. and
bold mp, we trust, ms civilized tn
umph. when thu thrones Of dcspntsm
shall have Crumhled into ruins. and
the dark empire of superstition aud
| ignorance shall have vanished before
the meridian rays of moral truth,
What then ought to be our Just re-
gard Tor the integrity y moral cha
racter Of every public officer, and
especially those placed in the high
est ranks of honor, in this mighty
republic! Our state Mcn, Ito "ur
institutions, should exhibit in t,eir
moral aud political dcportm mt, an
example worthy oil t'cir or,gin aud
their dignity: Wit out which. in
deed our honor is bnt a name. and
our pretended virtue onl y 4 covering
for crimes.
In the honorable competition Of
talent in our Legislative halls. | Wit
ness with pride 4 pleasure. The con
iliCt of int ectua a Il native ercat-
ness, and all its splendid acquisilI.
Ons u know that the Iustre which
attends it is reflected over both he
misphercs. But can never sacri
fee virtue and moral excellence al
the shrine of any zeal, or patriotism,
or talents. however ardent, or high
or splendid. Aud indeed, what IL
boastcd patriotism, or high prrten
Ces to political zeal. if moral prInCi-
pie be absent, and the sacred moni-
tor within has lost his Just and con-
trolling power over the man! In
such case, my confluence Is gone,
and so is that of a sirtuous comma
nifty.
contend, Mr. Editor, for no su-
per human excellence, or extra ,ir.
tue and honesty ; but | d contend
for far moral character in our pub
lie men because the more respon-
sible and conspicuous the stations
which they occupy. the more bcncfi-
Cial or dcleterlons is their Influence
and example. In accordance with
this feeling and these sentiments, |
must enter my protest, with that Of
every good citizen and every good
Christian, against the pra tee Of
durlllng, SO lately and so loudly as
serted and appealed 80, by one Of our
most conspicuous and most splendid
statesmen. WIT hat surprise and
lamentation have the rejecting aud
>irtuous part Of the cOminanIly,scrn
aud read the CARD Of an honourablc
member in the writing oil which,
the hand OF the writer must have
t,cmbled with unjustiliabIe aud in
temperate passion. II Was surely "A
moment, in which, Ike our < cit
Hamilton, he forgot himself. A
dDrning the Speakers char III the
House 81 Representatives., and lately
candidate for the chief maglstracy
of the nation, he has il one nhappy
moment OF irritation, furnished The
bright page Of his illustrIaas scrli-
rcs and actions. And for this, Mr..
Editor. rust you will let the Ad-
Vocate lit up lis voice "a promptly
and as loudly. as the act has been
| iudi,creci, and prominent, and banc.
ful.-W ho can tell what inJaly has
been done to the youth Of or coun-
try How many years may roll a
way before the influence Of This pow
crlul example shall cease 10 operate
in fayonr Of the murdcrous aud iuta:
tuatcd practice Of duclling How
many gallant and noble minds, that
had retained some moral aud tender
sense of rcctitudc, will, through the
influence OF this high example, break
through every restraint, aad rush tn
the detestble and deadly combat !