The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-03-22

WHEN the question "7pho shall 6c our
rest President" about to be discussed, il was
torvsccn that the rival claims Of certain eminent
characters would excite considerable degree OF
~armih Local pre- ulces, personal attaclfty,cnts,
and shove Az, the sinister zeal of inaunakents
crnspired 10 cncreace it. Ns<u,v intelligent and
Hood republicans have anticipated Pe,irto the ma
ton and aila.c DESTROYS totavcr = crisis to
which thcsc ridiculous yanitiSs may lead us. The
well reaniaS either attachot. to private quiet
the ardent pitrinr Hho loves the constitution, kas
no wish nv this clcctioncer;nr contest. but that
the successor ~ our present Chief, may discharge
JUS official .h'tcs With equal skill anti fidelity
Hence, wiiSnthe first symptoms of jivi,ion were
perceived the friends OF the people looked impa-
t'en,lrto the republican majority in Congress for
nominations Former practice seemed 20 just-
ty this appeal, and place 1t beyond tho reach OF
cavii--for ~ the choice of Our repre- sSnt,tivcs,
TIE iliustsious Jefferson and Clinton were select
cd. ,.
Wherefore Il vrs believed that those to whom
tse commonwealth had Committed tie guardian
snip OF its liberties, could also be entrusted to
present Its interests in Nomination, and that their
united satragcowould havorc conciled tie Earring
wishes or the t;.olc repaLlicaA.faE,ly. We con
M ntiy expected, that what their faithful repre-
sentativcg9,a recommended, the people would
approve that it WOULD appal the schemes of in
,rgue, or at Feast suppress the clainor of local
or personal pa'sislity. We were deceived, fell
iow-citzens but rotia onrrepresertatives, nor,
TRUST, III ycu The obstinate ard exclusive sup
portcrs ut Mcssrs. Clinton and Elonroc, were
suddenly transformed into opposers of ,.ie adn-
instrator -anf instead &C Submitting - the dc.
Cision of fair and uiexccptionablc tribunal, at
first attempted to inspire tistrust lis proceed
lnSs and now with shameless mal:gnity assail
the character honored BY its nomination. Must
not IL forget bus common duties to society, who.
from an attachment to rival, would detcrioratc
IRON fame purchased by toll and acrviccs and
watchirs-
Mr.. Madiscn's fame is not of that hnt-bed
growth which the ctfcrvcsccncc Of party raises
INTO nlomchtary notice. From the dawn of our
independence to the present hour, he has never
ceased TO defend the best CONCERTED measures of
Republican policy. Early in Pc ne stood the firm
supporter o' o- rights against the usurpations OF
l.nsiand. In devis;ng means 10: perpctuating
the boon VIC bad gained, the part he tpos was ac-
tive and successful. MANY OF the best features
OF the constitution under which we I've, were
modelled by the sagacious maXims which he in
c'iicata, Ihe.'Shoesoine restraints against the
tyranny OF seitcrsaea aristccracies were in part
Projec1ed by his wisdom, established by his in
huehce. In questions of natural or social law the
aspiring genirs o., Hamilton, won BY his clio.
quence, or cont3unded nv his research, was for a
while coHtrouied. Originally attached to monar.
chical riaSiEns, il then became an advocate for
equal representation At length the golden chain
OF our union was completed, and Mr. M Adson,
careless OF official honors, became eentinel of
the peoples rights in Congress Neither. the Sc
ductive charm CT personal iriendship--ror the
vanity OF succcss-nor the alluring promises of
ainbiton-nor the ascentlancy Of an.i-rcvolution-
AIRY doctrines, could urge him from his principles
livery private consideration was silent before his
high sense of duty. Kinder the auspices of Mr.
Jefferson, he was solicited to take the manage
hcnt of o'ir foreign relations, and although the
Period was critical, be nid,.not shrink from the
service From thas .in9:acnt you have been wit
nesscs OF the wisdom with which our national at:
fairs have been conducted. Those neutral rights
on which our prosperity depepds have found n
him, yisilant defender against the tlausivc and
specious appendagcs TO the maritime law sup
ported by tae tyrant Of fhc ocean. His mind is
peculiarly adapted to maintain The viacst course
of American policy Mild, firm, ard benetratiye,
1t would not insult weak or unofcnding nation,
nor submit to oppression from the most Powerful.
Tenacious Of peaceful course, yet justly resent.
FIJI Wa-,if i5iuries, his own is The index CT his
eountty's chatactcr.
m tiiis brief sketchof Mr.. Madisoh's political
conduct, am directed bvno exclusive palti;lity ;
1t is PLAN and candid exposition of facts that
must convince every disintcrested mind that the
pubic have much TO hope and nothing 10 fear from
his administration But there are men IN every
pa-ty who would rather the best hopes O. their
country should be blasted than suffer dsappoint-
nent IN any tavorrc scheme, Whether jealous
Of The success Of HH,e.tor or eatci in tie
prospect otcrolumeit from the elevation of their
patron, = spirit III dsccn,eEt guides their pen
and inconsistency Of coH,.Gc: marks their ca
rrcr. .:
The little factions .jnnto in Virginia who are
abonrng 70 spread Issalisac ton throughout the
land, II is hoped, will uset its reward in The next
election. Their unbridied arrogance deserves
rebke Destitute Of ,odes;y as they arc of prii-
eiple, this poisonous r@st of malcontt Eta .,sulci
.u.Dipt To ,iinuse the restless malady with which
they themselves are ir.:@cted. While public diff,
tcultes press hard upon nS, and we are be,sid by
evcry tie 10 she W ire world we are al undivided
y<oplc when every breeze f@UTn Europe brings
20 the ui,Ihph;.nt vauntin9s Df the spoil.
er and tho distress Of innocence, the ,eenius of
Ire Idiionis witbdrawn from its dcfcn-. TO ins.
dions cae.as for distract.pg oar union already
secret IrqInsitos arc established TO torture tl,c
Charact2r Of Mr.. Madison and those who srpnort
him. his vIlS system of dctracton r1,rst under.
go scrutiny before yh= pepplo--by their unerr;ne
decisiohit VIII meet its dOb.n.
Wi men, who are interested in dcceitirr Con.
~clld wish YOU tGdisgracr tho reputation tJ the
state iapcltinacious about names or districts
Us if the Picsidcntof the union, whose interest
depends on the prosperity of the whole, could
reel himself only interested Inv tic .,ate in which
DC resi.es Bat lei us ever keep in view Chat Se
are al republicans OF the Same great family, and
au ugh nc mas Feel an Inherent pride in elsyt
ins native of oEr own SOIL, yet we Kgst never
forget ulat this 10 but minor object i'm Tire .rrcat
question OF union or division-Nay, if tl.osc who
offer from The majority of the party, caymratc
tie character of tic chosen candidate, we or,.
hound by the ties Of fellowship 10 our sister states