The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1805-03-28

change IN tteprlnciples of the Virginia Gazette,
by the temperance aud moderation of the gem
tieman who is now afocated with the former
Editor. Mr.. Prentis q fpesk othim onlyin his
puolic character) has been the Editor or the
principal ailittant in contiu9in "a paper in
Wilmington, tYed the " Wilmington Fderal-
It ga paper remarkable only for the virt-
ience and rancor with which il has ahufed the
men and neaiures of the preicnt admipifrat-
on Notwithstanding thefe are facts too noto-
rlous to he denied the public are now Informed,
that thete two editors are 10 become Reconci-
IeT5. Their principles are CHANGED, and they
no longer heiitate TO offer 4 coalition with that
party, or with fome portion of that party,
whom they have hitherto revicd. The dea of
forming an union between federali.n and re
publican principles, is too extravacant for any
m'nd hnt that of A lunatic. As well might the
mort deadly antipathies Of nature mngle in
harmony with each other. Whers there is no
common principle either os intereft or affection
there cannot be even a momentary compromise
1t the republicans can forget the injuries and
contunelions treatment which they received
during the fway of fedora I'm, they cannot 20
far loie fight ofthe inttrctS oftheir country, as
once more TO commit her deltiny 20 men, who
have formerly brought her liberties to the verge
OF humiliation. Let not any one republican
be tor moment dcuded, by the fpecious pre-
text OF reconciliation, held out by the Virginia
Gazette; but rather view it in ifs true light as
an additional evidence ofthe inidious efforts of
tnSlr political opponents, 20 tarniih the laurels
OF their we-earned victory.
10 what cauie then arc we 10 afcribe the eff
taohhment Of a paper, which profeHyS to pro-
duce combination between the federal party
and Tome part of the republicans The caui;. is
too plain TO be miiundertooi it is neither deep
nor intricate 1t lies upon the iurface, and the
mind of CHILD can unravel it.
Never did any country exhibit an AFFECT
more auipicious to the bsG wi;hes of the heart,
than the United States, at this moment the
contribution triumphant over every foe a
wife administration dfFufug its genial influence
aroundit; peace, liberty aud happinefs, the
fruits OF patriotic government. IF all the in
ttl,utlons OF man were not prone to decay, we
might anticipate from the pretent pofture of at
fairs, an era Of uuchecquered happineGs, AS du-
rabe as ii is exalted. But the rlonitory voice
o! experience cautions us, that even i'm the lux
uriant bed of profPerity, the feeds of diGcord
are often Town and the moment of triumph is
often that which requires mott our vigilant at
tenton. Wt!ea party having fome common
obJett, unite their powers to humble an un-
constitutional faction, who have uflrpcd the
feat OF power, they act in concert their little
differences Ofopinion are facrifccd on the altar
or pubic good, and they move in an irreiftb!e
phaanX to the attainment of their point. But
when they have at length reached the fumnit
OF their wines; when their opponents have
dwIndied down into an uncomfortable band, too
weak to be dreaded from their power, and too
well underttood to be dangerous from their ar
tIhce X Is then that the varieties of human
opinion begin to appear, and the different
members OF the fame party, indulge their pc
culiar means of attaining one common end.
Men who are united only by motives of Der!on-
al ACKNOWLEDGMENT, vii! n all times adhere to
their leaders but hOneit meG, unlefs lome OBJ
jet OF paramount Importance engages their at
tention, are too apt to he tenacious Of every
punctilio of opinion, and 70 produce fome de-
gree of Earring among their friends 1t is certain
that all party implies a mutual conceiiion of
tnbo-dinete principles. for the fake OF great
common object and VIXEN that Object is &C
compiiihed, the mind again txpatates in the
houndie!s field of political expedients The
hIttory of the world loudly pronounces the
truth Of heie petitions, and the fate of other
parties as triumphant as ourleves, warns us
from adopting their errors.
Painful as the truth NAV be, il is certain that
Tome differences have ariien among the republi-
cans OF the United States. That independence
ct ientiment which always charaSerizes a ge-
nu'ne lover of freedom, has perhaps folered
the germs of diicord which already begin To ap-
pear. | know not whether mott 10 lament or
admire il; fnce, while it threatens our politi-
cal tranquility, it alto evuces the high fpirit of
independence which animates the republican
party. Bat their differences have hitherto been
confined to mealures Of minor Importance .
they have never encroached upon thofe cardi-
nal points, which form the great tets of party
in this country. I fpeak OF Virginia only; be-
cluie Virginia know. / know her from the
firit dawn Of the revolution, when HE planted
the itandard Of rebellion on the very citadel OF
deipotitm, and fummoned the fons of liberty to
Avenge their country's wrongs; | knew her at
criis not leis alarming, when the tateS were
threatened total extinguilhment of their pow
ers; and have feen her fince, moving in her
orbit with as much dignity and firmnefs, as he
had before dfPIayed energy and power. Al
ways frt in the contelt of liberty, ihe is alto the
mott perfevering in the combat. Is it then
within the compass of human probability, that
Virginia ihould apofaize from thofe principles,
by firm adherence to which ihe has gained ali
her glory? What motive but downright inia-
nifty could drive her from the uniform tenor of
her own condu6? It true there is fome diff
ference Of opinion with regard to the extent to
which 1t is proper to go in the removal of fede-
raj officers, who have been long in fervice but
does IT follow that thofe who are for permitting
a few ofthofe officers 70 remain, under very fpe-
cial circumstances, are advocates for ce6ling in
Discriminatory, federalifts to office? Or does it
follow from this circumGlnce, that thofe who