The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1809-02-14
THE ENQUIRER.
RICHMOND, FEBRUIRY Il. 1869
FOR TIE ENQUIRER.

II IS now tour months since the session of
congress commenced, and the occasion OF
us beng convened by the President some
:i"ie before the period, Co which il stood adj
l%ourned, will, I trust, lie long red
toy every real American. 1t would indeed
De insulting the feelings of the People, TO
suppose tlem callous to the injuries we have
'ecsIved from Britain, or to dwell on that
stfoCiouS act, which at once consummatine
"er Pernhy and our disgrace, combined in
a transient and deccitful union parties ot
every denomination. Amidst the universal
Indignation it excited, faction was dnmb.
ana the secret and domestic foes of our go-
Vefhment only distinguished by their more
ciahorons professions of pretended patriot
r.sHh, Nenal press ne longer belchcd
iorth It's parric!dai venom, and dared not
outrage public opinion by paliiatinc this last
gross violation o fnaeional honor.
In this state of apparent unaninlity. and
mutually pledged to support the determine
non OF government, we iFnpatiently awaited
me meeting OF Congress in perfect conf
uence That It's decision aud firmness would
restore us TO the rank of Frecmen. erase
the blot olr character had sustained and No
longer present rs to the world. as 4 ves
croucbing to the rod and inviting ;H,,.!r-
out alas! how ha=- our expectations been
answered, and what has this period of shame
iui humiliation produced No measures OF
aeience-no atOnemcnt for past INJURIES
no security against future-but an aDatbv
diSSfaceful to ourselves and that IndeDen-
dence, which has aeen achieved with the
best blood of our country.
i am not unconscious that this apparent
disposition OF Congress, and OF
''c Puoiic NINA, has in part arisen from p
na'ural cause and from circumstances Decu-
iar TO our own country. tits the nature Of
violent emotions to subside. and the ebpIi;ti.
on or passion to Weld to the influence Of
tlFnc, unless stimulated by some new Cause
IN the unceasing changes, to which the hu-
man heart is subject, / should indeed lament.
II anger and revenge were it's only perma-
heht ana IiXed impressions. But there is z
moran medium III the Conduct of nations. rs
wen as individuals. and a point beyond
VhiCA patience becomes the meanest Cowar-
dlce' Know too, THAI peace, the parent of
our present prosperity, which has given
new Energies to Agriculture, Manufacture
Arts and Comme"ce-is deservedlv dear 70
US aIl-0ut ! hope we have NOT forgot how
1t was acquired, now only it can be preser-
'ed' ara tIiat the best mode TO avoid is TO be
prepared for war.
! cannot therefore ascrihe tbc ,resort s,-
pineuess and seeming tranquility If our conn
try to either Il natural cause, OF, Our Dol,fi.
cal situation, but rather to a resurrsctio ion
OF that spirit which has long labored to pros
crate us at the feet Of Britain, and whose
active partizans in Congress have paraIizcd
the efforts. OF their honest and unsusDectinp
opponents Amidst the most consDicuou5
and interchangeable of this unnatural band.
John Randolph stands pre-cmincnt. ! can
not say " C!arum ct Venerable Nome, 50
but certainly a composition, which defics all
analysis, and which at once excites orr adj
miratlon and contempt. The Ad,ninistra.
ton o. John Adams presented him TO his
pdlUal country, engaged in a virtuous *
successful struggle against domestic en-.
lcroachGent, and his cxertions at that in
auspiCiOus period will not ALLOW ne to cor-
FOund him with the EpheUcral beings ne at
present heads. Jh6y indeed might Glide
down the stream Of Oblivion, or be renIem-
bered only with disiaiu, if his fall was not
corrected with their intrisues, and his a.
postacy with their l1faniv.
Without imputing to him the base motive
with Which ne is charged, G. degree Of libc.
ralj'y he never exercised towards his Oppo-
nents,) Of expecting a diplomatic Mission
and deserving the Administration ON being
disappointed, "A short view Of his character
and political conduct, viii, be sufficient, in
depcadent Of any private cause, to account
tor his Change. Possessed of talents more
brilliant than solid, he holds rather bv eou, -
tesy and tie bounty OF his count Y, than the
decision OF cool dispasionate judgment. the
reputation he enjoys. UBrestrained by
those 1les OF decoruD. which tie world has
long since consecrated, ;-regardless 81 the
feelings OF others and reckless Of thc wounds
he inilicts-with a Magazine of venomcd