Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1829-08-15
FoR THE CoSsrrrur,orAL WmIc.

GOVERNOR GILES.
"Nlr. Souiharl conceals tie most essential part of the truth,
Until dTirep 10 tell II, by the lash Of the Court"
Mr.. CHESS reNU'ks on Mr.. Southland, as a. Hiress.
There is nothing which moro strongly marks the
character Of o people, than the feelings which they
openly profess, and~prnctice, towards each other.
If we 6nd a community, united by feelings of mutual
affection, showing itself by every act of their conduct;
we may rest assured, that virtue and morality, are
the rules of action with that people. If, on the con-
trary we find a community engaged in strife and war
fare with each other, and cndeavo ing TO break down
character, be assured that vice and immortality have
taken a deep hold upon the people, and ruin and dcs-
olatiUn will soon ovcrtakc them--nor is it necessary
that the whole community should lie actors In the
scene to produce these disastrous results; for if u
prominent nun, i'll any society, shall become q com
mon s~lanlcrcr, and common dcidmcr of character,
and, in his career OF madness and defamation, should
find himself upheld by public sentiment, then, the
same consequences must follow, as IT the whole peo-
pie were engaged in scenes Of defamation. Man is
an initiative animal, and, IN this country where pub
lie sentiment, cOntrouls ali thing, no other restraint is
offered, which can operate, as n bride to- the vicious.
1t VIII be seen by oil, that the s'Gndcrcrl Is supported
by public sentiments and all the aspiring, vicious dem
agogues, will join in the applnuded vices. win ich they
see pre- vaiing; until the whole morals of the people
shall, become a mass of putrifactiDn. Then, indeed,
may the fall OF the Republic be expected; for iii be
true that republics, rest alone. upon the virtue of the
people, | ask what hope remains for such Il govern
inent, after Islander md dctraction, shall have taken
the Place of virtue and kind feeling? For IA while,
the dominant party may practice all the oppression
which ingenuity can conceive, upon their advcTsaries;
md heap as many honors as they can find, upon the
heads of their own party; but the time will surely
come, when such Il state Of things will wear itself out,
and reflection Will take possession ofthc mind. This
is the alarming point, which IS seen by the dominant
party, md which tcrrifics them in all their thoughts.
Reflection, rarely fails, ~ redconing human nature,
from the danger, and ruin. into which error had pre-
%cipitatcd them; and when II once takes deep root in
the mind, farewell vice, for virtue is approaching; and
will regain the power, which had brcn lost, by the
influence of vicious men.
II may be that, those in power, have 50 long tri.
umphcd, and ruled. that the ordinary course fittings
may fail in their effect; il may be that. even the forms
of government shall be destroyed, either by rosis.
tancc or by n poisonous influence which is made TO
pass over tho whole land; aud this, yes, even this,
NAV be, for n while endured, yet, it viii not hlwa VS.
endure; for the oppressed will demand, that The rov-
rrnmcnt under which they live, shall b. administer
ed. according to its form and spirit. Thcy will never
consent TO convert a rc1t republic, into n mockory,
and if a1l things else shall fail, they will at last pro-
claim
Let the sti yo,1te, and he jnrdmGy
These reflections have been elected, by the recent
matchlcss SANDER and calumny, which the present
Chief Magistrate Of Virginia, has published through
the columns of tho Enquirer, against Samuel j."
Southland, Esq. late Secretary of the Navy. The
slanderer prctcnds 10 quote the facts ON which he
rests his Justification, from the proceedings of the
Court before which Mr.. Southland lately appeared as
n witness in tho case Of the unfortunate Watkins.
AGer i~ndulging IN the language Of BHiingsgaic, until
me heart sckens at The sight, the slandoror uses The
language which stands at the head Of this article.
llcadcr, whoever you NAV be, whether Jackson or
ADAMS, ] implOrc YOU 10 look at The language which
the Governor Of Virginia has used npon this occasion
towards as honorable a man as crcy brcaihed, at am
M, ip anu country, Vndcr any form ri Government.
Yes, reader, look NJ II; aud look az tho record ofthc
rial Of Watkins; compare the record wish the as
riion of his Exccllcucy, ond then SIC, It YOU cnu dis
aver me Wor5 q truth IN hs EYcl'cncy's language.