The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1806-08-05
dir Gnqutrer.
RICHMOND, sth Aucusr.
FEDERAL PERSECUTION.---We do mo-

WIN 10 tniuit the feelings of our readers; or
we might perhaps gointo an elaborate argument
ON the cafe, which il becomes our duty to lay
before them. Heaven knows that sherc is mat
ter enough in the text, For the mo2 ordinary
commentator to preach upon for hours and days
together. But we cannot believe of any man
in Virginia, who reads the following report,
that his heart is in 70 torpid fate, as to need
being inftructed how he ought to feel or what
he mould think.
To declare in general terms, that the follow
ing picture is in the true fpirit of the federal
party, would beperhaps to involve the innocent
with the guilty. 1t would be to reprefent the
federalies of Virginia like the fedora
his OF Connecticut; aduated by the fame ma
chnery OF church s. Of college equally mean &
equally defpotc. We believe that federaIifn.
hike monarchy, or like any form ofgovernment,
IS modified by the manners of the people where
It &c found !; and that the federation of one fate
Is not the fame as that of another. We believe
that even the federaliits of Virginia have been
extremely opprefiive in their reign witnefs
that memorable day, when the intrepid editor
OF the Examiner was obliged to correct his
proof-fheets with a pair of Horfe mans pifols
by his tide. But we believe too, that there is
fcarce federalift in Virginia, who will not caff
one lament'ng igh over the tyranny of his Con.
neSticut brethren.
This petition then it was not our intention
to advocate, when we faid that the following
is IN the true fprit of federation. We meant
no more than that it was in the true fpirit of
federal principle; that the Connecticut prac-
t,ce is only one ftcp father in the fame confident
iYttem; and that its genuine initruments are in.
created Executive energy, alien and frditi-
on laws, navles and armies, profecutions and
prifons. i,at- -
/ Should we beafked forwhat mighty crime was
this poor victim imprfoned, we would anfver
for one, for which the federal papers are every
day receiving the mon indulgent impunitv.
twas for Publi'hiug libel of certain indiyi
dual, equally infgsi6cant with Mr.. A. or Mr..
iu,nr iVorecr influence
", ~ obtaining certain vote. For this ailedged
noel, " the Judgment OF the court wa, not that
he be puniifed with mprifonment.--bnt that
tor noncompliance with their order, he G,ou,d
Wand eonlmt'eS-i. e. that on failure to paw thu
debt atceriai':ed againt hin by faid judgment ,
ne 'honid, as in all other cafes OF def. be COM
united TO orifono
some Of ourreaders may fuppofe that becaute
Schck Oiborn has bsen.thus cruelty punifhed.
lie may in fome neafure deferve it by his vices.
Some may reprefent him to tbemfeIves under
the character of 4 rafcal, of blackeuard, of
T7''c,ous liar, or of fome poor mif-rable dolt of
an editor, whole name would fcarce' have Daft; d
Ms own village, but for the cruel periecution
which he has undergone. Some mere comoa-
fionate than the ref may sv;@ hin, TO he finch !,
man, that the hafdi,iood of his feelings NAV
blunt the edge of his punifhment. O.
.hers IN their overlooking kindnefs towards
Federal principles and Federal courts are will
ing to adapt the victim to his punifhment.
ihey conc Give of MIR. Olborn as OF a man of
aaitere manners, coarfe and unpoiiihed in his
perion, or contemplate genius and with vices
Ihat degrade human nature; unlefs he was
iach man, they deemit impofIi6le that a fe-
cerai inquihtion could have doomed him
20 ineh periecution. But thoIe who think thus.
know little of Connecticut rancour. They know
NOT that MIR. Oiborn is neither vagrant nor 4
knaye They kna.. 80 ~. rs nd
rive OF the very rate, whole prifon is cheercd nv
mis- Preierce; 70 far from meriting what he
mas endured, that his virtues, his genius, and
ms Improvement entitle him to the mott
oittinguihed notice. An orphan in early
life he was Gait into the printing Office of
Mr.. Dennifon of New-York, the former
partner of James Cheetham. Bat his ardent
oehre TOR literary Improvement over!eaot all the
ohttacles Of his htnation. He devoted all the
ieiiire moments which he could fnatch. and
the kindnefs of his mater. allowed him
many more, to politics and to the 77iiie. His
nonourable iabours IN each department., were
"N' ''NiSS'udi- NAdiIJ poctlCd' eHuhOns have ei-
,caped from his pen, which a,e ditfiuguified by
eaie,' elegance and beauty. His &c Ode to
iirpe" which we deemed worthy of repuhlica-
"ouin one efoH preceding numbers, is mark
co ~ grandeur of conception and pathe.
re- morality that would not have difgraced
the Engliih mufe. His political attainment
are bet exhibited in his paper. To thofe
who have pc ufcd il, no other evidence can he
wanting OF his liberal views, his induftry, his
Independence, his progrefiiye intellect.
Sneh is the man Z" of exalted fentimcuts ex.
ten!ive views, and curious obfervation =, whole
kenris, Ike That of poor Savage, has no charm
| 10 ihfure him againftthe unjuft pcrfecuton ofthe
world Condud an enlightened nioraift to the
jail OF Li'cbfe)d f'lew him Sell K Ofhorn In.
carcerated ~ the fine foe i'd room with maniac,
and n,srfererF; flew him s. Ofborn f,irmount.
ing alltheie external obfacIes By the activity OF
| his mind, writing on fnall table and perhap,
on a naked tone amidft the faint glimmering,
of his prison light explain to him his indie.
pendence, his energy and his genius and he
mutt begin to lament the perverfity of human
nature he will think he has before him an in.
Rance OF perverted genius, of ffrone mind u.
fling all its powers for the accomplishment ot
ivTpe Defarions decd! He NUT conceive S. Oc
horn, as rot lefs than murderer, or a high.
way-rohber, whole crimes have tent him TO hi,
dnrgeor. TEL him, however, what his rea
crime Is; tell him that the unfortunate Ofborn,
"not having the fear Of the devil before hi
eyes" has dared "a tear the veil from politi
cal Ptiefbood, and from Connecticut fedora
Inn ten him That he was the conductor %