The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-04-01
THE ENQU'YRER.
RICHMOND, APRIL /, 1908.
FOR THE ENQUIRER.
No. ii.
THE PROTEST OF THE MINoRITy
AGAINST THE
ELECTION or Mr.. 1LfHLSoN

ELEC7ION or Mr.. DLfHISoN
ALtToUGH the charges alledeed bv The
professors, against the character of Mr.. Ma:
olson, are, sufficiently Ineligible, vet II
would nave been more consistent with the
station OF honorable accusers actuated hv
no other motives, but those of the purest ma
trlotlsm, and fearing nothing in the dis
Charge or their duties, but departure from
truth, to have adopted the language of di-
rect assertion, in preference 10 that of in
uendo. Nrtuous sincerity should disclain to
resort to that form Of expression, which ma
nee mas almost appropriated to itself as the
odious vehicle of SANDER. 1T is also to be
wished, that each charge had been accom-
panied by a reference to some circumstan-
ces o. specific and defintive nature. which
might support the accusation, if true. or if
false, might furnish clue to its rcfutatiop
he important charge of partiality towards
france and an undue hostility to England.
IS especially deficient in this last REQUISITE
1T the world is not grossly deceived in the
qualities which it ascribes to Mr.. Madison's
heart, and it the style and temper of his DO
lltlcal speeches and writings can be consi-
dered as evidences of the state, of his feel
ings, he is incapable of a sentiment of undue
hostility to any one. But this is subject of
too great moment to be dismissed on slight
evidence. 1t is connected with the sources
OF the most virulent opposition which the
present administration has ever encounter
ed, and with the consideration of measures
deeply and permanently affecting the politi-
Cal interests of this nation. In this no nt of
view 1T merits our deliberate invcstigation-
ana II am not greatly mistaken, such an
investigation will lead us to the conclusion
that the charge of improper partially to.
wards foreign nations, is applicable to We
ny Different quarter from the one against
winch 1t is here attempted to be directed.
10 the one from whence has proceeded that
| very protest which is the subject of our dis
CuSSion.
Boon after the present federal government
was organized and had commenced the ex
eicise OF Its functions, the minds of the
whole civilized world were agitated by the
| stupendous and interesting events Of the
French revolution. The similarity of man
ners, language and religion which exists
between the different nations Of Europe. and
between them and their descendants in this
new Continent, the art of printing, the diff
fusion OF literature and the intercourse of
commerce, have all contributed to form a
medium OF mental communication. which
wiz not permit great events and strong i'm
pulses to be confined, in their operation. to
the country where they. may arise. The
minds OF men are now surrounded by a sDe-
cies OF moral atmosphere, which has no
boundaries but those which form the limits of
clVliization; and is calculated, at the same
time, to transmit the solid improvements of
uSelul science, ana the contagion of fascin-
ating error. Through such an atmosphere
and among minds pre-disposed for their re-
ceptIon, by previous events and the influence
OF speculative writings, the principles and
fee!lngs, which animated the Fren ch nation,
Could not tail to spread with the rapidity of
apestllence. The suggestions of prudence
were scarcely sufficient to restrain the A
merican people from madly rushing into the
ruinous vortex OF Eur pean dissentions One
class OF persons alone compleatly escaped
.he injection OF this temporary mania, and
they were indebted, for their exemption.
not so much to the superior sanity of their
understandings, as to the CONFEDERATION of a
more incurable and malignant distemper,
| that OF monarchism. This disease had been
sedulousiy propagated by numerous party
| III the United States, among whom was Mr.
Adams, who brought over some of the i'm
lection from St. James's, where he himself
| had been inoculated.-It has been uniformly
the object OF this party to involve the Unit
ed States Ill the contest on the side of Bri
tam, and to render us subseryent to her
views OF ACKNOWLEDGEMENT.
lime, reflection and the unfortunate is-
sue of the French revolution, soon restored
America TO that neutrality of feeling, as wen
as OF station, which her true interests and rel
alive situation with regard to the contItient
| OF Europe, imperiously required. An i'm
mense majority of the nation have long dis
carded any production for either Of the
contending powers. They feel the convio-
ton OF the important truth, that il would
be as vain to attempt 90 coDtToul the move
ments Of the planetary system, as the revo-
lutions OF distant nations whose physical
forces place them so far beyond III cir reach.
In this sentiment the governments has fully
concurfed. All its measures have been 10
strict conformity with it. Its policy Laa
been that Of rigid and fair neutrality.
Whilst the feelings Of 2 great naioJ.it,. az