The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1806-10-14
PRINCIPLES AND NOT MEN.
CON Tin JED.

J The republican citizens of feveral cf the
wards of Philadelphia aud fome of the difricts
OF the county of Philadelphia, have come to
refoutions TO petition Mr.. Jefferfon once more
to accept of the prefdeutial chair. This cap
tvating example will no doubt be Immediately
initiated by the republican, citizens of every part
OF PennGfUania, and in all probability by the
republican citizens of Nezv-Tork. The leading
print of that fate has already held it ND as
qvortby Of imitation. This important aueition
will therefore foon obtain an aicendancy in the
public prints, which will entite it to univer.
fal difcufion.-We will therefore meet it at the
very thre;hold.
| So far as the refolutious of the Pennsylvania
republicans exprets their confidence in the
virtues and talents of the preient adm .nifration,
we will unite with them from the very bot
tom OF Our fouls. SO far as they exprefs OPT
MONS approbatory of the meritorious and
unremtting ferv'ces of the prefdent of the
United States" 70 far as they Ggnfy their
entire fatisfaction with his highly meritori-
oss fervices to his country ~ 70 far as they
declare MIR. Jefferton sc entitled TO our
confidence, for his wife fytlcm of pacific
policy with regard to foreign nations, for
the fautary meaiures of releaiiug the public
| from odious and unneceffary taxes, and for the
general icope and intention of his principles of
government 81 TO far as they exprsfs '' for his
| perional virtues and Accomplishments, an anec-
tionate retpe6t for his political principles, a
hhcere attachment aud for his patriotic fer
vices, grateful remembrance" we moi cor
daily unite with them. We would even adj
vance ftep beyond their warmeft refolutions
| We would declare our contentious belief, that
| MIR. Jefferon has rendered more fubltantial fer
| wees to this country, than any other man who
ever eXtted and that he is at this NONE Mt
more eminently qualified for dfcharging the
momentons dutiesof Prefdent, than any other
| man " no lives.
But 10 far as theie refolutons are profpec-
nve IN their views; 10 far as they -" rcquea Mr..
I.H not to decline being candidate for the bre-
fdentiai chair at the mex. enlung election % TO
tar they are at wa with our principles. Theie
questions irreGltibly ftizc upou the mind:
| is this the proper time FOR entering upon this
delicate invefigation?
| is the re-appointmcnt OF Mr.. Jeferfou con-
| formabe to the iacred principles Of repuLli-
can government
| Are there any particular circumstances with
| IN the womb OF time which ii,ou!d cteat,
exceptions to thefe fundamental principles
of cur faith
! This Is not The proper tine.-The longer this
| ditcuiiion is poRponed, the better for that u
! nanimity of republican fensinle nt which *
ei'tntial to our republican PROPERTY. There
rs time enough between this moment and the
period when fome decifon NUT BIZ formed, to
enter upon this important invcaigation.
! Mr. Jeferfon's term will not expire before
he 4th OF March 1909. IF the nomination of
the next republican candidate for the proficiency
he transferred to the republican Representatives
IN Consreis. that nomination need not be made
before The tefiion of Iso7-s; for the electors
VIII not be appointed before the autumn of
1903. Sixteen months will therefore elapfe,
before there will exit any abfoute neceility of
ADOPTING nomination, or of locking around for
a candidate, to ierve his country. why then
hurry this queifion before the tribunal of the
puo"c why prematurey open the path, that
leads to republican fchfm among the people,
and to intriguing ambition among the candi-
oates FOR the proficiency? Already are the fer
tile feeds OF difun;on widely enough fcattered
over the republican furfacc of Penniylvaria
already do the local tranfations of that agitated
tate, ard the growing divifons Of feGtiment
/ respecting the exiting departments of the pre-
Jent administration, furnilh fufficient grounds
OF diviion ard alarm. 1t is ufelef5, nay it is
wanton waite of mind and of union, tc multiply
theie Gllenions, by the profeCution of A fab
ject, far more important than all the req far
more productive of dvfon and irritation
IRE re-aPPoi1tweHt Of Mr.. Je2er/cn is not 70
eonfor@'a6Is TO tbe general principles ot rc3ubT-
fA",iAf' as tbs retirement from oiTee lit j. the
genius Of republics, that the irdiyj41sI is to
be loft in the Many: that no one man (hopid
| nc ciotncd with 10 much authority, as to en-
danger the rights of the people that no oge
man is to he trutted with 20 nutb power or for
| 10 foSs time, as to give him the opportunity
oterfrHaiHg it beyond the neceiities of the
aany and that every meafiIre is TO be ap
plauded which prevents the ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
OF the individual, or increafes the fpirit of H.
berty, independence, and equality among the
great MATS of the people. Let us enquire of
the republicans of Pennsylvania, with that
franknefs which is worthy OF the fubie6l
Do you not believe that the cona;tutional
powers OF the Prefident are already too exor.
bitant ?
Do you believe it within the limits of hn.
man probability, that one lingleindividuaI (1ould
Pofeis more wifdom than council of men
that he ought to have the privilege of ab6oi,f
fng to 10 many weighty offices at bis own
dhcretion, of afiixing and refuiing his fanGion
to the DEGREES Of a legislative aHembly {? You
are oPpoied to the idea and the very name of
king why then eftabiih preiident with recall
bozUerJ ,
Do you not believe that the only expedient
for dImniihing the dangers of thrfe exorbitant
powers, IS to diTinith the period of their dura
ton Do you not believe that fuch Glould
have been the duty Of the contribution itCsf. 8,
that every man lhould have been by that ioftrn-
ment forbidden to ferve in the chair of Rate
more than four, or at the mot, more than ei,b,