Virginia Argus

FROM THE NATIONAL EGIS.

We call on our readers of all descriptions, to peruse the following legitimate production of modern federalism. It is extracted from the New York Spectator, a paper conducted by Mr. Lewis, a Connecticut clergyman. To republicans we recommend it, that they may imbibe new zeal in support of the sacred principles for which they contend, and new detestation for those who would destroy them. To moderate federalists, it may serve as an explicit exposure of the designs of their leaders, and may depict, in striking characters, the contrast between the professed and real object of those measures, into the support of which they have been duped and deceived. To those who framed, and those who would approve such sentiments, to the high-toned advocates of federalism and more insidious and more timid enemies of our constitution, who shelter themselves behind the name of Washington, and call themselves federalists, while they strive to rescind the national federation; to the "Sampsons of New-England," as they proudly style themselves--in one comprehensive phrase to the "Essex Junto," and their fellow laborers in the vineyard of delusion, we "tender the homage" of our thanks for this candid avowal. "Let them declare honestly, (if the term can ever be applied to such men) that these are their principles, and these their objects. The conflict will then be fair; and the ground contended for defined and known.

If there be a man, who calls himself an American, who can read this production, without feeling the glow of anger mantle on his cheek, who can tamely endure such malignant calumny, not only against the principles of liberty and the revolution, but against the memories of our forefathers, without perceiving an honest indignation swell his breast and agitate his frame: to such a man we have no claim. We resign him, without a murmur, to the communion and fellowship of the opposing party. Such a man must have been trained and prepared for a tool of the Junto; and brought up in their nurture and admonition.

"It is well known that the original settlers of what are now called the United States, were emigrants from different parts of Europe. They may be classed according to the following arrangement--1. Emigrants from England, who came to enjoy liberty of conscience. 2. Emigrants from the same country, who came out with Sir Walter Raleigh and his successors, principally with a view of enriching themselves and their posterity. 3. Emigrants from Sweden and Holland, whose motives were various. The first settled themselves east of New-York, and divided themselves into colonies, and gave them the general term of New England. The second occupied Virginia and the Carolinas, and the third planted themselves in certain parts of New-York, New-Jersey and Pennsylvania.

"This was an important crisis for the display of their bravery, their generosity, and their magnanimity. All the emotions which swelled the hearts of the heroes of the fourteenth century, had they been roused by the governors of those people, might have been called into action and enlisted on the side of stability and principle.--The indefinite limits of the country presented a wide field for the first of those virtues; their solitary and mutual dependence for the second, and the duty they owed to their countries and their God were sufficient incentives to the third. The moment, I must again observe, was all important. The fate of unborn millions depended upon the system of policy they were about to adopt; and the future nations, (which will now undoubtedly spring up in America) might have been consolidated by their timely interference, and by their entrance into being with correct principles. Had they had an infusion poured into their character of a judicious mixture of the hero and the saint, they might have confirmed the hopes of Europe, secured to themselves whatever was meritorious, and have laid the foundation of a great, good and permanent empire.

"Unhappily for their posterity and the world, though their courage and generosity cannot be called in question, embosomed in the woods of America, and but feebly supported by government, their minds seem to have been absorbed in their own miseries. All those necessary REGULATIONS and DISTINCTIONS in society, with which no nation can long preserve its independence, were generally neglected, or rejected as encroachments upon their individual freedom. The PRIDE OF BIRTH was entirely broken down: and the vicious conduct of one or more branches of a family, conferred no disgrace upon the other members. Thus the GREAT INCENTIVE to domestic virtue and moral obligation, was cut up by the roots; and the PERNICIOUS MAXIM that all men are born equal, and endowed with certain unalienable rights, &c. may be confidently asserted to have had its origin in the establishment of this principle.

"Much as the removal of this barrier was calculated to affect posterity, the duty I have imposed upon myself compels me to notice another transaction still more fatal to the union and permanency of these states. This may be considered as growing out of the violation of principle mentioned in the last paragraph.

"From what has been said, it will appear obvious, that these emigrants were determined to pursue that system of conduct which best comported with present ease and individual happiness. They therefore married from scruplesly, without regard to education or property: and brought up their children in such a manner as to be most useful to themselves. Accordingly. One was made a CARPENTER, another a BLACKSMITH, a third a TAYLOR, and a fourth a SHOEMAKER, to the utter exclusion of letters and a just spirit of subordination. We are now arrived at another very important moment in our history. We have seen, that as far as the actions of our progenitors depended upon their inclinations, their habits became DEMOCRATIC. This was sufficient to have opened the eyes of the mother country; and called loudly for legislative correctives. Instead of this, by means of the hypocritical cant about public virtue and simplicity, made use of by some of their governors, the PEOPLE WERE ALLOWED TO CALL TOGETHER POPULAR ASSEMBLIES, and to fortify themselves in the disgraceful steps they had taken.

"The cornerstone of revolution was then laid in all the colonies, and our separation effected at a much earlier period than it would otherwise have been.

"If the colonists determined, upon their first setting out, to effect a separation from the parent country, and to assume a dignified rank among the nations of the earth, their domestic conduct in their intercourse with each other was highly blameable and indiscreet. If they determined to remain true, and continue their allegiance, it was still more so. I do not wish to be understood as disapproving of the American revolution. (for, in my opinion, it was an event always calculated upon at home) but I DESPISE the MEANS by which it was brought about. I do not hesitate to declare them BASE and UNWORTHY; and I tremble for my country, when I consider that they must one day prove her ruin.

"This Plebeian principle of cohesion and admixture throughout the body politic, continued in the full force till the commencement of the revolution. Since that event to the adoption of the federal constitution, nay, even to the present day, this MONGREL BREED has been multiplied in a greater or less degree. Even at the very moment in which I am writing this, RESPECTABLE TRADESMEN AND FARMERS ARE APPRENTICING THEIR SONS TO BARBERS AND TAYLORS, and some OCCUPATIONS of a still LOWER cast.

From this statement of facts, the intelligent foreigner will readily perceive that, in this Country, IT IS NO DISGRACE TO HAVE EXERCISED A MECHANICAL PROFESSION, as many persons of this cast have risen to the highest places in the government. Indeed, if he looks into the private history of most of our "grave and reverend senors," he will find them the legitimate lords OF THE WORKBENCH, or of the CORNFIELD, and much better calculated to move in that SPHERE than to act where they are. I do not mention this as any reproach upon them, but merely to prove the erroneous conduct of those who have gone before us.

"The mind has some relief, contemplating this picture, by reflecting upon the expansions of literature, and those augmenting fountains of knowledge which have burst forth during the two last centuries. Every man, nay almost every woman, now reads, thinks, projects, and sometimes accomplishes. The force of human reflection, and a habit of comparing and contrasting passing events, cannot fail of restoring those to the light of reason and self-preservation, who are now wandering in all the darkness of metaphysical delusion.--CLIO."