The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1827-05-08
FOR THE vIRGIRIAF.


Rome, thou hast lost the breed Of noble boods"
This sentiment. So strllSinGy applicable to the
condition Of the Roman Republic n short tune
previous 10 the total annlhllation OF all IFS ne.
publican features, aud the erection OF an impe-
rial monarchy upon then ruins, is 40 less apple
cable to the present condition Of our 0pcc pros
porous country. That degree of Roman virtue
and Roman patriotism which once formed SO
stlong a tcatu, la our body pOltIc-that fearless
Int,cpldliy of character which marked the efforts
Of our revolutionary heroes, struggling for the
dearest OF human rIghts-und that niieNlbllIty
OF principle which, steady in the pursuit of its
object, scnrncd even the slightest imputaton OF
rhaHgl, are gone. fear, forever That spirit Of
friendly compromise which Ouce could sacrifice
all sectional and private interests, when they
conflcted with the promotion OF a common and
general interest has of late been entirely for
gotten, o. il not forgotten, has been shamcfuy
disregardcd. The stern refractory stun Of
which our patriots of the Revolution were form
cd, 10y some strange process has dcgeneratcd III
their posterty, and been substituted by materials
SO soft, so malleable, so " cerelD Hech in rdlm,'
that even the wafmeS opponents of republican
institutions may confidently expec, a Consumna-
ton of their wishes, at no distant day. IN the
downfall of our country This is bold language.
But who that contemplates the present aspect of
spirit of opposition which seeks to bear down,
with a relentless hand, every barrier to its own
ambitious projects, does not feel the painful com
ycton that "A government thus rackcd by oppo-
sing factions each seeking its own elevation.
must Of necessity be of short duration Who
does not STE the bud of dlscord and dissenton
displaying itself in the Incorporate zeal and
ardor with which the enemies OF the present adj
mnstration asSail all ito measures, right or
wrong, that they may elevate to the Presidency
a man rash, violent and nnpetuouS-the slave
of ungovernahle and headong passIons-whose
claims upon public gratitude (Spnnemg, howeY-
er entirely from military servicesl have not cX-
ctnptcd him from the condemnation 50 justly in
CURED by his repeated violations OF con,tltn-
,onal authority, bat who, sustained by a coinei-
dencc OF favorable circumstances, has OF late
grown marycIlousy popular, so that
=" lie doth bcs,ride this world
Like Colossus and We petty men.
!" WAX under hls huge legs, and peep bout
'''ro ind ourselves dislouorabc graves"
The pmeinian, pariicuiarIg who contrasts the
present race of Virginia politicians with those of
former DAYS, whose virtue and wisdom gained
for themselves a ncver-dying fame, and for their
state i Just pre-emincnce over all her sisters,
mnst feel humbled by the conparls on. la the
councils of the nation Virginia ouce stood in the
foremost rank. the pride of her tllends and the
admiration of her enemies. The frank aud ho-
norabIc integrity of her politicians secured to
hrrthc res occt and esteem of all while their u1-
waverlne principles cxtorted from prejudice IL
self just though perhaps reluctant tribute OF
praise. In those days o unrlvalled greatness,
virginia would have sC0rnCd that pHbiiC Ht0h
who. forgetting his own and his country honor,
" you'd descend to the deliberate fabrication OF
unfounded tales, for the advancement either of
IA private or public purpose. she would have
spurued him from her catalogue of servants, rs
the false aud unworthy representative of her
feelings and principles. She would have affixed
10 his forehead the mark of perpetual reproba-
ton, aud assigned to him sphere in society
correspondent with his ignominious apostacy.-
But how is the case at the present day Accord
ino to the declaration OF the Richmond Enquirer,
"one OF our most intelligent and distinguished
members OF Congress has made a statement Ia
relation to the wnstetul expenditure Of public
money in furnishing the" east room of the Pre-
sdrnt's house, which the concurrent testimony
of every other mpmber OF Congress proves 10
be false and uajouaded. Now, why WAS this
statement. whose total want of foundation must
have been knC WI to the author, sent forth to the
world Was il intended as a burcsquc upon
the known credulity OF the Richmond Enquirer,
and its object 10 expose that pllablity OF disp"-
stion by which the Editors of that paper ae-
conmodate their course to existing circumstan-
ces, regardless Of all consistency Or was II
designed to nllame the minds Of the Virginia
people against AN administration which, from lis
commencement has been mark for every dis.
appointed ambitious man to shoot at-whose
M assures, whether worthy OF support or other
wise. nave constantly met the same untlrlng OPP
nnS;tion and whose downfall is sought TO
be eGrcted by the lowest arts OF si"nderous ana
malicious fasehood1 The very friendly terms
m when the Enquirer speaks of its =" dstn
euishodn coadjutor torbids us to place the first