The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-11-08

80
icnferns for these politicians are as little
e.nbraced within the terms Of the proposi-
tion -IneY are scarcely less inyetcrate. but
more secret in their opposition TO the mea-
snscs OF the present administration, than the
Federal party itself. Al. that can now be
asked OF these gentlemen. is to declare a
more open and generous war, than the one
wn'ch they have been waging. BY this
course. they would more certainly consult
their own credit. rs we'll as the interest of
their country. Give ME at any time an open.
rather than an insidious foe the displayed
banners Of civilized war; rather than the
sly perils of an Indian ambush.-But if it Scere
not unavailing To address some of these gen
tlemcn OH the measures Of Mr.. jefferson. it
would be perfectly ridiculous to appeal to
their feelings and sentiments, to support the
measures OF NJ. Madison. Their leader
IS too much emhittered against him, to en-
terrain the least disposition to bury the hatch
ct. ne mas seized every opportunity to a
VOW his want of confidence in that gcntlc-
man. The followers of Mr. Randolph must
never expect forgiveness OF their chet,ain,
II they ever consent to extend the slightest
degree ct tdrbearancc or libcrality towards
this distinguished enemy. politician can
evereXpect to be the political friend of Mr.
Randolph and Mr.. Madison at the same time
L lie latter may excuse; but the former
would extend his most unrelenting resent
mcnt to such an ambiguous ally. He who is
not III every respect FOR him, must be against
hitI.
But address mysclfto those Republicans,
Gin heart and in sentiment" who have,
supported the measures ofthe present atlm-
nistrali6n, but who have, in this great ques-
ton. deserted the course of the great
majority of the Republican party.-1 address
myself TO those Gentlemen, who have felt
personal or political preference for the COM
petitors OF Mr.. Madison, without entertaining
any preference for the principles or the mea1
siires OF the federal party. To these Gen
.ie'nru, the Yuuoiimr IS earnestly anu soiemu-
ly propounded-" What is tho course which
you are now to pursue? Will you calmly
and periodically submit to the announced
and acknowledged will of the majority of
your conntry--or will you permit your own
disappointed enthusiasm, or the articles Of
men who dislike the present administration
ana who hate Madison, to drive YOU into a
silent and sure opposition to his administrati-
on !-These are serious questions, Gentle
men, which it is now incumbent upon vou to
consider. Ynu must now take bold and re-
soiute stand in the support of yonr old prin-
| ciples and the interests of the Republican
party. You should decide with energy. if
your determination is not made already; for
, V.
but still more important TO yourselves
VIII be honest enough to confess 10 these
Gentlemen, that their previous conduct has
infused some slight portion of alarm and APP
prehcnslon into my bosom. 1t has appeared
to me to be the duty of all Republicans to
discard all personal predictions in favor of
Clinton OF Monroe, and unite their suffrages
III support of the acknowledged favorite of
the Republican party. No peculiar benefits
were likely to result from the election of eli
Their OF those gentlemen, Which could equal
the risk of di'diiig the republican party
The election was not concluded; the votes Of
the people had not been expressed the ccl-
legcs ofElectors had not yet assembled but
1t seemed sufficiently obvious, that MIR. Ma
olson was the favorite Of the nation and that
pressing the professions of any other candi-
date would not only be unavai,tng 10 himself,
but productive of danger and schism, TO the
Repubiicaa party. The exterior relations
OF the country were like Sise at this time
peculiarly turbid and portchtous The unex-
anpied insults and cncroachments of the
powers OF Europe imperiously Invited our I'M
diUfded attention. The firm cGuBtervai!ing
measures of our administration demanded
the utmost harmony and concert of every
friend OF its measures. All these consdera-
tics seemed to require magnan;mous re-
llnfulshment Of personal Friendship OF local
attachments, on the common altar of our
country. 1t was scarcely to be apprehend-
cd, that any real Republican would be more
solcitous to shew himself the friend of Gin
ton, or Monroe, than the friend of the Re-
publican party orthe friend of the admnistra-
ton. Principle therefore, seemed TO call for
an Undivided, Unanimous support of James
, Madison.-Hduy of the friends of Messrs.
IClinton and Monroe, felt these considerati-
ons and obeyed this reauisiton we're
others, however, who still adhered to their
tavorite, not because they had deserted the
| Republican. standard, but because, they had
felt the influence of other considerations,
which had countervailcd the force of these
great principles. Some we're duped into a
conscientious belief, that Mr.. Clinton and
| Monroe, had yet a chance of success. Others
because they Thought it proper to consult
their own individual sentiments, rather than
the harmony aud concert of tile party 4
few, more weak, though perhaps equally con-
scientious-because they had thought!ess!y,
IN the commencement of HE scuiyle, pledged
ard committed themselves to vote fer par
| ticular candidate.
l will also be horest enough tn confess, Sir,
| that these considerations which may have
justified some OF these gentlemen to their
own conscieuces, had also tended to Justify
them to my own mind, and in some measure
to relieve it from the apprehension and sus-
piCioDS, which their course was calculated to
excite. | knew at the same time. that some