The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1805-10-22
COMMUNICATIONS.

COMMUNICATION.
Who fall fucceed the prefent WORTHY chief
rnagiHratc of Virginia, is quetion which NUT
toon bc decided. In the decion, however, of
thi, quetion, 10 we'll as in every election 10 ho-
norrable Offices, thofc of high truf, there are
certain principles, which ought invariably to
guide people folicitous of preierrins pure re-
publication.
The firt, and which may be conidercd as the
BATS of every other, is 10 give TO virtue and to
talents that ditinguihed preference, that tri-
bate of public homage, which fball mark the
inf eftimation in which they are held by an en-
lightened people; and which, more siTicacouf-
ly than any other caufc, produces, chcrifhce,
and natures qualities 70 cn1ential in republic.
The moment in which democratic govern
mcnt loleg fight of this principle, is the COM
mcnccment of its dih1Iulion. The moment
that the public dignity is facrihced to private
views. that public honours are beloved upon
thofe vino have given no proof of the love Of
country, of the inarxihi!ity of their virtue, as
well as of their mectal talents, the moment of
death to all thofe great and manly qualities from
which popular governments derive their fuperi-
or eltimAtion and energy. 1t has been well OBJ
ervcd, that virtue is the peculiar fpring of re-
public. This fpring muf not then be borne
down by the cumberous load of doubtful pre-
tenfons to real merit. Every patriot will he
anxiou', not only to- prefervc its elasticity uuim-
paired, hut to add to its force.
The next principle is, to fele6t thofe who, by
their pan fervices, have deferved well of their
country. To direct to its proper Object the
grateful paud;t of entire nation, is the attri-
butte only of free and virtuous people. Mo-
narchic farouritifn may fhed its bloated honors
upon the cringing adulator or tyranny may
give the purple robe and the fpo;ls OF inJuarY
TO the vile infrument Of its nefarious machnati-
ous ; bst in q well-ordcrcd republic, the COM
mon good IA the centre TO which every move
ment NUT tend; and every day, new power
mutt be communicated 10 this attracting princi-
| pie, by comforting upon thofe who have AREA
dy evinced their devotion to the public, the
| weighty tefimony of genera! &fteem.
| Another principle is, thai in elections TO i'm
portant osiCes, ne who focits vote, ought,
| from that very circumstance, To be deemed I'M
worthy of preference. He who is the irtt 70
biazJn his own merit, only affords proof that
| it is not sery cOnfpicuouB; and we might be at
| fured, if hidorical experience had been hlcnt,
that senality, fychophancv, the ipirit of faction
have already begun to Gpread their ocliterious
inhuesceS when potts of honour and of profit
| yield to the effroutery of mean and cunning To-
| licitation. An honeft and wife clettor hears
the voice of no other Goiicitation, than that OF
| rcafon, and public iufticc.
Whether Virginia will long remain fteady to
| thefc obvious principles, know not; but do
know, that to pretend to cheriGh rePublicanifm,
| and to forget the maxims which are the food
and life of iiich fytem nay, TO transplant all
thoie which are indigenous tn monarchies, or
ariltocracies where the few are every thing, and
the people nothing, is the continuation of fol-
ly and political depravity. The ftreams which
enrich country, haften to mnge their waters
with the fea ;-republics lofe themlelges in the
abforbing guIph of monarchy.
No doubt, Virginia embraces many citizens
| worthy of the high honour Of representing her
in her executive functions; nor do [ mean to
detract from the merit Of Others by naming a
particular gentleman. I only cxercife the right
of every citizen; and II hlaIl be Instrumental
in turning the public attention to perfon, who
has the fupport of the principles juft mentioned,
my Object will be anGwered
Col. Larkip Smith has long been feen upon
the theatre of hi' country. lie was an early
aud Rrenuous actor throughout the whole of
that revolutionary fcene, which gave birth to
our republic; nor has he ceaicd 20 trealiIrc in
his heart the principles of 10. His patriotifn
has Good the ter Of every form, and has fhewn
that il is too deer-rooted to be ihakeu. The
reGpeGability Of his character both in public ard
in private, natural urblnity az well us dignity
of manners, an integrity which is above fufpici-
ON, found and Commemorative mind, which can
embrace either general intercA, or direct the
mnuteit details Of Office, together with an ex-
Derierce in the art of war, acquired in the bloc
dy fchool Of the reYOlItion,.--dli leen 20 recon-
mend, ia ilrong terms, Col. Larkin Smith rs a
fit perfon for the important Office Of fri magif-
tate Of Virginia.