The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-02-06
THE E.N'QU1RER.
RICHMOND, FEBRUARY 6, 1908.
TO TIE PEOPLE or, VIRGEn-yss
No. IL.

L.
IN the preceding number IcndeayorcI IA
impress you with the Importance. tff union
among the republicans of this country i'm
the selection of a candidate for. the presiden-
eiai CHAIR; and to trace ont the necessary
consequences OF schisrn on this delicate s.
interesting subject. Ihave ATTEMPTED 70 dc.
nionstrate, that according to the uniform o.
Perations OF the human heart, as eley ara
unrolded tous in the history of man. a perse-
verance on the part of Col. Mnnroe's friends.
IN the course they have adopted. viii uIti.
Inately tend to the triumph of our political
opponents, and the final overthrow of the
republican cause. These are considerations.
winch deserve your most serious reflection.
and may touch even the senSi6fity of Hor.
tensius
After declaring that many persons. VIII,
attended the Bell-Tavern, were influenced
by the impression that majority of the re-
pub!icans were in favor of Mr.. Madison.
rior'ensins adds, that 'ths is principle of
. action which it is difficult to understand.
= and still more difficult to justify '--"S Such
conduct amounts to dereliction of indie
pendence, and may obviously lead the
community to an act, which in reality the
majority do not approve" / have already
ProVedDy the unerr'ng evidence ofnumbers
that majority of republicans, as far as i
Can be ascertaincd at the present time, is de-
cidediy III favor of Mr.. Madison. IF there
tore, the friends of Mr.. Madison, were 60
Verned by this belief, they were at least net
mistaken in their premises.
But this conduct is regarded bv Hortens;us
as "dcreliction Of indetenGea1ce." and he
hoidS 1t "ln utter reprobation'' 1t an e.
WI attending all languages, that by a little
artfui colouIlng, We may give false COM
PieHion to every action. There is often
simiiitude between truth and error, which
may deceive a superficial observer ard
tnerels always some vice lying in the vici-
nity OF virtue, which can easily assume
It's shape, and claim its reward Avar;ce
may be called economy, ferocity NAV pass
Tor courage, and Wild and eccentric de-
parture from fixed political principles nav
De dlgnihed with the lofty appellation ofinde-
fendencc.
NAT am not one of those, who prefer Mr.
Madison, because believe he is the choice
OF majority, shall be ALWAYS proud toa-
vow. My prediction is founded OH styonp
and original grounds F.; and whenever his
merits are canvaSsed, shall not shrink from
controversy with any man. But when I
recollect that am member of commune
" formed OF distinct and independent states,
jealous OF each other, and tenacious of their.
own rights; when fpel how essentially tho
preservation of our union, the first of human
blessings, depends on tn ecutivation of .har-
mony between the different component parts
OF our empire when discern, on the other
hand, the fatal tendency of a narrow, local
and arrogant policy ] am disposed to hear
with respect, and to submit with cheerful
ness, to the voice of our sister states, when
1T does not call on me to make a sacrifice OF
frtneHIe. l am child Of Virginia, it is
true bound to her by the ties Of birth, nur-
ture, education and connections but am
| also an Hmeriean, cherisl.ing the warmest
attachment to the remotest corner of our COM
| mon country.
These are sentiments, which know, are
very seldom heard and it is for that reason
that 1 am anxious to deliver them. There
are politicians among us, and men too, of no
inconsiderabe note, who feel naughty and
supercilious contempt, for those who have
not the felicity to have drawn their first
breath in our soil and stalk with the pride Of
Castlllan noblemen, bymen who have equal
privileges with themselves. But they have
| never yet venturcd to assert, whatever they
| may feel, that Virginia has an exclusive right
to give President to the United States.
When the present Chief Magistrate shall
retire to private life, we shall have had a
Virginian in the presidential char, for six-
| teen years out of twenty. Will it then be a
derelictlon,of indefendenee in any honorable
| sense OF the word, to leave to the other
states the nomination Of candidate, who
may be worthy of that high station If a.
man shall arise IN the eastern middle or