Virginia Argus

The great question "WHO SHALL BE OUR NEXT PRESIDENT," is at length bro't fully before the public. Those who heretofore have been accustomed to take the lead in the nomination of candidates, have proposed James Madison, for President, and George Clinton, for Vice President, for the four years subsequent to the current Presidential term. We have until this moment, refrained from publicly expressing any opinion on this momentous subject, not from the want of a decided conviction upon it : but from a strong, an anxious wish, that the public sentiment should be collected, from a calm and dispassionate consideration, of the subject, without those biasses and prejudices but too likely to flow from a premature discussion. Aware, too, that it might possibly produce extensive collisions, perhaps local irritations, among those who on the great principles and the leading measures of our republican institutions are undivided, we have thought it advisable not unnecessarily to precipitate a discussion, that might embarrass or frustrate the important measures of defence and protection called for by the crisis.

But the season has now arrived for every independent man to speak out ; and to exercise this prerogative of a freeman without fear, and, it is to be hoped, likewise without reproach. While, however, this right is asserted with fearlessness, let its exercise not be sullied by intemperance. Let it be uniformly accompanied by a tolerant spirit, that in asserting its own rights, knows how to respect those of others

If there be a division among the republicans, let it be candid, honorable, magnanimous. Let no good man's character be traduced to brighten that of another. Let the virtues and talents of the respective candidates be spoken of as they really are. While we "nothing extenuate, let us set down naught in malice."

The nominations made by the republican Representatives and Senators have our decided approbation; they are the nominations which we have long confidently anticipated, and which we believe the great body of the people have expected.

In forming this opinion we have strove to form an honest and impartial opinion ; and in forming it, we are sensible of no biasses personal, local, or political, not directly and necessarily emanating from a regard to our country; from that regard, which should at all times direct the judgment of a good citizen, and which ought at this time to banish every consideration unconnected with the maintenance of those principles, which have established among us the empire of reason, and will finally, if firmly adhered to by us, extend it over the globe.

He, who is the best fitted to guide us thro' the impending storm, without sacrificing these principles, ought to be the man of our choice. Such, we believe, to be James Madison. Whether we contemplate his irreproachable morals, or solid talents, we are supplied with the strongest reasons for approbation. While in private life he has invariably sustained the unassuming character of modest merit, his discharge of public duty has been no less distinguished by intelligence, fidelity and zeal. And above all, we consider him best fitted for the highest honors in the gift of his country, because amidst the various public scenes in which he has been engaged, and in the exercise of the high functions devolved upon him, he has invariably displayed a dignity and moderation, which are at once the best evidence and the surest preservative of republican principles.—Nat. Intel.