The National Intelligencer And Washington Advertiser

Richmond, Dec. 15.

The address of Col. Smith, to the House of Delegates, on accepting the Chair.

Gentlemen,

At the commencement of the last session of Assembly, I had the honor to congratulate you on the prospect which was then presented to our common country in favor of a preponderation of republican principles in the government of the United States. It is with most heartfelt satisfaction that I felicitate you on the expectations of this day being completely carried into effect; and if any people on earth, ever had cause to rejoice at a political occurrence, the people of America unquestionably have just cause to do so on the present occasion.

Laying aside the particular incidents of the preceding and present administrations, in an investigation of which we should find ample scope for animadversion on the one side, and as just grounds for approbation on the other; but placing this out of view, and taking into consideration the past and the present state of society, in this research we shall find ourselves sufficiently consoled for the change which has taken place.—The principles of the late administration appear to me to have been peculiarly calculated to excite and to nurture party spirit, and to such a pitch of violent malignancy was it carried, as not only to loosen the bounds of consanguinity, but it produced chasms in the longest standing and most closely cemented friendships: nay so baneful were its effects, that it seriously threatened a total annihilation of that intercourse which ought to exist amongst men, forming the same society or living under the same government.—and had a favourite plan of the pre-eminent federal characters been carried into effect, which was so much talked of, I mean the destruction of your presidential election, as made by the free suffrages of the people, and an usurper placed at the head of your government under the sanction of a law; this event in itself would have brought on a general state of convulsion, and it will not be considered as a phantom of the imagination to say, that our present happy country would probably have been deluged in the gore of its own citizens, from one end of the continent to the other.

Contrast this picture of horror, with the present tranquil, apparently almost unanimous, and the most perfectly happy political situation which has ever been experienced by man in his associated or civilized capacity. As far as I know myself, had I been heretofore what is called a federal character, I have no hesitation in declaring that the beneficial effects experienced in the state of society, would alone make me highly approve the recent changes which have taken place in our affairs. We gentlemen, who are the immediate representatives of the largest state in the Union, a state active and effective in its opposition to the principles of the late administration, let us do every thing in our power to perpetuate the present happy state of things, and hand them down unimpaired to our posterity: to do this, it will be essential that we discard that rancorous party spirit which has heretofore existed. Let us fraternize with gentlemen, who may differ from us in political sentiment, and shew to them that we view them as brethren and friends; nay more, let us have liberality enough not to impute to them any impurity of motive, and if they err, let us attribute their errors to the head and not to the heart. These observations are meant in a moral point of view; for it would be unjust and unreasonable for any man to ask of me, my confidence politically, when we differ materially in our political principles.

I deem it to be essential that we carefully avoid every thing of a temporising nature, and that we strictly adhere to the principles which have already produced blessings of real importance, and that we take for our future guide, truth which will be promotive of the real interests and happiness of our fellow citizens at large.

Believing as I do, that it is incompatible with the genuine principles of a representative republic, that any man should be continued in office for any length of time, and as the same principles apply, though in a smaller degree to unimportant offices, that apply more forcibly to those of importance: I have thought it proper to signify my determination not to be considered in future as candidate for the appointment with which you have honored me this day.

This information I have thought it proper to impart, that any gentlemen who might have a preference for my services, may turn their attention to some other character, whose talents I hope will enable him to discharge the duties of his office with greater advantage to his country than it has been or will be in my power to do.

I now beg your acceptance of my sincere thanks, and at the same time to express the high sense of gratitude I feel for the confidence which you have repeatedly placed in me; and I pledge to you my assurances, that every exertion in my power shall be used, to discharge the duties of the station to which I am called with attention, and to the full extent of my talents.