Virginia Argus

Among the greatest misfortunes which have befallen this country, is the violent ill will existing among men who entertain different political principles. The evils which this ill will produces are so numerous and so widely extended, as to interfere with the usual intercourses of society, to disturb the peace of families, and to calumniate, and in some cases destroy the reputations of the most virtuous citizens. A life rendered illustrious by acts of public utility, and endeared by offices of private worth, is often blasted by the malignant breath of this demon. Viewing the man who differs from me in certain political tenets as my enemy, his virtues are at once ascribed to hypocrisy, and his foibles converted into crimes; while, on the other hand, the profligacy of him, who coincides with me in opinion, is either denied, or palliated on the ground of the imperfection of human nature. Of course virtue and vice become convertible terms. They cease to depend upon the open, undisguised actions of men. They exclusively attach themselves to classes of individuals who profess certain speculative tenets.

Citizens of America is this right? Is it your wish to be happy? If this be your wish, can it be realized any other way than by making virtue your director? And is virtue of any party? Does the attach herself exclusively to those men who entertain certain beliefs; does she fly from those who entertain different beliefs?--Believe me this is not the case. Men, equally good and equally great, hold sentiments unequivocally hostile. Their views of national policy differ in every point.

This difference may be a subject of regret, but ought it to be a source of hatred?

What is the first duty of every good citizen? Clearly to promote the general good. This he does in the greatest way by the industrious pursuits of his private occupation, and by co-operating in the formation and execution of those measures, on which the peace and welfare of his country depend. With respect to personal employment, we all agree to leave men entirely to themselves. A shoemaker does not quarrel with a Taylor for pursuing a business different from his own. Every man is acknowledged to be the best judge of his own talents or any particular calling, and so far at least. "Nature's difference is all nature's peace."

But when men meet together in their political capacity to devise means of securing their present, and extending their future happiness, they are found essentially to differ. And from what arises this? It rises undoubtedly in some degree from the sinister motives of a few men, who would pursue their own interests at the expense of those of their fellow men; but it arises in a still greater degree from the different portions of information possessed by different men. By the great mass of mankind the same objects are ought; it is only respecting the means they disagree.

Now, is there any reason, is there any virtue, in my calling a man a knave, who at worst only deserves the epithet of fool? Farther, is it not still more irrational for me, who may be but moderately informed myself, to calumniate, by ascribing to him corrupt motives, an individual whose strength of mind or acquired knowledge qualifies more correctly, to discern the true path of national glory?

Is there a citizen, who reads these remarks, and does not acknowledge their truth? If there be such an one, let him blush for his want of understanding. He is a weak man, whose vanity cherishes the belief that he governs others, while in reality he is the slave of his own prejudices.

[National Intelligencer]