The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1805-10-22
"a IL enquirer.
RICHMOND, s2a OCTOBER.
AFFAIRS OF PENNSYLVANIA.

AFFAIRS OF PENNSYLVANIA.
Why this exutation among the Federalit, of
Virginia about the refult of the Pennfvlvanis
election? Is it becauie they are friendly to Nc
Kean TO the man, who FIX years fnce repre-.
tented them rs tories and traitors? Is it, be-
canf. they feel an intctet in prefcrving the
prefnt contribution OF PennfylVania, beyond
Whole influence they are eternally placed Il
it becaufe they have INDUCED any of taofe vi
liouary fears about the rage of innovation,
which the enemies of all reform are continual
ly harping upon? No. 1t is bccaufc they con-
lider the preient conteh in Pennsylvania as
fubject of party coucernmcnt; not as frug-
gle about AKean or the coDtttution, but as
a ftruggle in fact between the federafs and the
republicans and becauie they contider the
election of M'Kean, to be the confequence of
federal exertions and the fource of federal tri-
uaDh. Such might not be the motives of lome
of the actors in this icene, when they voted
for N'Kean +; hut fuch is certainly the point
Of view in which it viii be conlidered by the
federalits at large. The refl!t of this eleai-
on will give them degree of confederation,
as q Ioay, which the actual proportion of their
NUMBERS would not othcrwife have procured
them. Before, they were nothing. All their in
huence whether direct or indirect WAS COM
pletcIy d-froyed. Bat the prelrnt election
has made them fomething. Is they cannot
now facceed in all their Views, thes may at leat
m odify and often down the meaGures of their
opponents. If they do not immediately obtain
An increaie in their numbers, they have at lea
icAttersd among their opponents the feeds of
divifon the hlr'nony of the republican par
ty is broken down and the time is not far
diftaut, when many of thoie MEN who have
joined tiie;n in their prefent exertons, irritat-
ed by the prescription of their former friends
and foftencd by the fympathy of their former
enemies, will either throw theT0felves into their
ranks, or will unite with them in a motley and
moderate party. This like the raiment of To-
fcph, will be made up of innuncrable colours.
1t will exhibit the corruption and avorice of
Yazoo Spectators the ambition and refent-
ment of would-be leaders; the fertility of fome
who foften down their confidence for the fake
of federal dinners and the Indifference of men
ia whom the po1tllion of an office or en-
joyment of cafe has extiDguilsed the energy
of principle. If we miitake not in our views,
we tha fee this party gradually collecting to-
gether its forces during the next felton, of
Congrefs. Perhaps the election of fpeaker
may become the ignal of action. We have
already heard it intmated, that an effort will
be made TO turn out the firm and virtuous Ma
con, and place in the chair fome more plant
inftrument of their views.
Yet there are even nj this time men among
the republicans of Virginia, who Till indulge an
affection towards the Importers of M'Kean |!
Would it he fibiect of great altonilhment
fhould the ruIirg party in Pennsylvania begin
to hurl the penalty of the law agaiHft Duane
and his mot active aHociates SouId M'Kean
once enter into this plan of legal perlecution !;
his reputation and bis influence are for ever blac
ted. His naturalization, like that of Mr.
Adams, will become the Object of popular con-
tempt and indignation.
AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION.
Whi,H ihe federal Administration was in az
ton, feyesal controve ies arofe about the inter
probation OF the constitution. The federal party
was continually twliting and converting its pro-
viiions, to the augmentation Of the executive
power. Since tine preieut administration came
into Office, the fame oppreiiiops, the fame in
ducements for difcuhon have not exited. But
can we expect that this prosperous Rate OF our
Airs is forever to continue Becaufe Thomas
JsGerfon is a republican and patriot, ought we
therefore to expect that his fuccenors will be
aStuated by republican and magnan-
nous views? Hs does not require a fcdition
Ia ", 90 lhel;er the folly and iniquiy Of his mea
fnres muH we tn .refore expect that all future
PfelidenlS VIII Ne Squaliy correct ~ mar inca
fnfes, ana equally to meet nveRigation
The expectation is 4 viionary and ridiculous
one. Is 1t thea confident, let u5 ak, in the
republican party is il worthy of their princi-
pies, 20 fuftr the prefcnt period of tranquility
to expire without indkiag to.ae exertion TO cor
rett the mlchefs of The contribution, and to re-
move every cauic of ambiguity and doubt,
which has already eccsrTed.