The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-10-07
TIE ENQUIRER.
RICHMOND. OCTOBER z, 1908.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE EwQu1RE1

hiCHhO.NO, OCTOBER z, 1908.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE ENQUIRER.
ISIR,
l RAVE read with no small degree of sur
prize, the address of the Monroe Commit
, tee to the people of Virginia Their long 81
lence on the subject of the election, and the
|unequivocal proofs which have been given.
that Mr. Monroe is not the choice of the
lpeopie of this state, had led me to suppose.
that his cause had BEEN abandoned in tes
pair. Whether this perseverance is to be
ascribed to real belief that Mr. n1curoe
can be elected, is question which il is
! uninportant to decide. The friends of Mr..
| Madison, if they Nave reason to dread the
SUCCESS of any rival candidate, have surely
nothing to apprchend from Mr.. Monroe. Had
the committee, therefore, confined them
selves to the usual topics which are resorted
to on such occasions; mad they only reiterat-
ed their old objections TO the caucusses which
were held last winter had they merely
displayed in ostentatious colours the transcen-
dant virtues of their farorite, not forgetting
the negative merit OF having given no offence,
while he filled the harmless station of q s-o
vernon OF Virginia or had they simply paid
a cold and unmeaning compliment 10 Mr.
Madison, which, by supervising every single
act OF his Industrious career, leaves the false
inference TO be drawn, that his services are
of an ordinary stamp had this been the
course OF the committee, they could not have
provoked a reply. These are the common
arts OF jealous partiZans, and the public well
know hew to appreciate them. They have
already spent their force; all the benefit or
mischief which they capable of pIoduc
ing, has long been obtained; and thev have
sunk into neglect by their own imbeciiitv.
But the committee have gone further than
this. They have connet sd the election Of
Col. Monroe with certain Questions Of pub
lie policy, which now divide and agitate this
Country. They have placed him, in some
degree, in opposition to the present admi-
nistration, and recommend his election nm
on the ground, that he alone can redeem the
country from the evils into which it has heen
plunged.
1t is very singular that this disclosure
should have been reserved to so late a period
Col. Monroe has been hid up as a Candidate
Tor more than nine months. During al! this
time, the people have been left without anv
certain information as to his opinions on some
OF the most important subjects which can g.
vercnGage the attention Of the American pub
lie. The most anxious enquiries have oaIv
ended III disappointment. The cause Of this
anxiety will be readily perceived by those
who are acquainted with the events of lie
last two or three years.
Willie Col. M. was absent in Furopa .
schsm took pace in the republican partv
ms originated at first in mere question of
expectancy; and although the leader Of the
minority evinced even then, great hostiii
y 10 'he administration, yet it was hopcd
that time and reflection would again res
tore harmony. But every hour since flat
period has widened the breach. until il can
no longer be denied that a re-union is irt,,ra,.-
ucabie. From that tins until the present
no measure OF the government has escaned
the determined opposition of the minority
When Col. M. returned to the u. \. he
was hailed with Joy by the whole republican
party. 1t wasnot then known that any diff
terence az opinion existed between him and
the administration OF the subject of orr fo.
reign relations Nor was it believed tbnt -
nau any connection with tho opposition Un-
ucr theSe circumstances, many warm friends
OF the administration supported his election
as president. When the treaty Appeared
however 1t was apparent tlat .,ol. MS views
were diametrically opposite to those Of the
government. 1t was 10 longer Dossible tn
support him as President without condemn
ing the course which had been pursucd :.
nose Oh ms supporters therefore, who still
remained attached to- the administration and
rsIs'feo F'fHciiLeS to men, were under the
! IIeOe'S'ty o. Withdrawing from his cause
-, III MS integrity was unim-
paired but they could not give their sanc-
ton to system of policy which thew regard.
ed as subveraive Of the best interests of this
country. - '''''
lhese considerations, however, did not de
ter the minority from perscvering in their
support; Oh the contrary it animated their
exeftlons' Ii was natural thst susoie;ons
Should have been excited by these circum
Stancessof acoincidence of opinion between
Dni, W and his supporters. These Jouh,e !
night have been dispclled by single word
ron ;'hat gentleman. But even that word |
vas oeiied. J will not determine on the |
propriety of tins course Of conduct =, ,a
have been dign:fed and wise. prt Err m |