Virginia Argus

From the Danbury, (Conn.) Republican Farmer.

On the fourth ult. we selected a piece containing the most degrading sentiments, from a New York federal paper, displayed in striking characters; we are happy to see that our example is followed by many eminent republican papers, and that it is fast circulating thro' the continent. We have this week received another paper of the same kind, from which we select the following and solicit its perusal by every honest man within the sphere of our circulation. It needs no further comment.

'The last tho' not least, portion of this community, is the labouring class, including mechanics of every degree. I shall merely give a brief outline of the features of this crude mass of inconsistencies, and then offer some observations upon it as a popular weapon. A foreigner would hardly believe that the servants of Americans were effectually their masters; that they kept them in their houses for the purpose of making laws for the state; or that, when they applied to have a shoe or a coat made for them, it was at the option of the maker whether it should be a short or a long one, a shoe or a slipper. In short, a foreigner would hardly believe, that those who had grown up, in habits of morality and good order, who had been WELL EDUCATED for THEIR RESPECTIVE STATIONS in society, and whose situations best enabled THEM to judge of the true interests of their country, were governed by those of opposite habits who were equally UNABLE TO PRESERVE THEIR OWN HAPPINESS. OR TO PROTECT THE LIBERTIES OF THE STATE. Yet that such is the case, I feel it my painful duty to declare. I have only to prove this declaration, to all every honest, intelligent mind. In this I shall find no difficulty, even to the meanest capacity. The habits of the early settlers, complained of in my first number, have been greatly improved upon by the ambitious and the designing, within a few years. SUFFRAGE HAS NOW BECOME UNIVERSAL—and HE WHO CAN NEITHER READ NOR WRITE, is equally called upon to give his approbation of, or dissent from, public measures, with HIM WHO HAS SPENT A LIFE IN STUDY, AND DIRECTED IT ALL TO THE SCIENCE OF JURISPRUDENCE. Thus is the principal incitement to learning done away; and the nation has no resource but to be governed by its own VANITALS, or to call in foreign assistance, both of which are alike ruinous. It is declaring to the world that NUMBERS shall rule, and not TALENTS, an axiom than which NONE CAN BE MORE FATAL. We have SO MUCH LIBERTY that it is next to impossible to obtain a SERVANT, either BLACK or WHITE, that will be faithful to their employment. The European, will not wonder at this, when he is told that they are all freemen and patriots, who have not only them selves to take care of, but the exigencies of the state. What! would you have a man neglect his public duty for any paltry considerations of self? Is not this a free country, and is not every one a governor? Sir, if you are dissatisfied with me, or my conduct, I shall quit your employ (not your SERVICE) and go somewhere else—there are hundreds, who want me. After he has received the wages of his employment, it is ten to one if he does not tell his employer that he must not expect his vote next year! 'Tis a most galling affair indeed, to apostates and anglo-federalists, that MECHANICS are suffered to speak to a lawyer or merchant with their hats on; to have any voice in choosing rulers, or any consequence in the scale of society!!! 'Tis a most ruinous thing to the country that hired men have a right to speak their minds to their employers, and an equal chance to obtain justice, to demand reward for services, and reparation for injuries!! --But, fellow-citizens we leave you to your own reflections on the above child of federalism.