Virginia Argus

We most sincerely hope, that the meeting of the legislative body at Washington may be distinguished by an Union of sentiment, which may give additional lustre and strength to the republican party. It is Union alone, that, in such a government as ours, can inspire legislative councils with wisdom and energy. Whatever is factious, however ferocious it may appear, is essentially feeble; and, when Congress is broken into a dozen little parties, it necessarily becomes factious, and loses all its vigor. Two great parties, honorably conducted, are salutary to freedom and serviceable in legislation. An opposition checks, by its vigilance and even by its hypercriticism, the excesses which a dominant party is apt to run into. But when each declaimer strives to make a little cabal to himself, anarchy succeeds to regular and rational opposition, Congress loses its dignity of character, and is liable to contempt. Mr. Randolph has endeavored for four years to debase the national councils by this sort of anarchy; and last session he was more than commonly successful. Mr. Randolph had old Mr Pitt; and, as monkeying is contagious, other ambitious, delirious spirits, aped Mr. Randolph; so that there was very little concert of operation. John is now pretty well understood, however, and he will not, we think, be able to deceive any body hereafter.