The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1812-08-07
TIE ENQUIRER.
To The People of Charlotte, Prince Ed4yard,
Cunl6eriand. and EuckingAam.
RICHMOND, AUGUST Z, 1912.

Cumberland, and EHckine,Aa0i
yellow -CITIZENS-WHEN an inti-
L. vidual becomes candidate for a pub
lie trust, it is his duty TO state distinctly to
those, TO whom he makes tender Of his
services, the principles by which his public
conduct will be regulated, i henouied with
their suhrages. j. in ordinary times this
duty is important. tits peculiarly SO at d pe-
Rod when our country has been driven by
repeated and continued acts of hostility, Ell
Their to abandon the principles rendered sa-
cred by the revolution, or TO assert them
with the combined force Of the nation On
union depends the strength Of i free Co
vernment. The enthusiasm of freemen
struggling to maintain their rights, gives 20
free Government degree Of energy, which
tyrant cannot command from reluctant
slaves.
% produce union, it is sscnsial that q
tree people should be conv inCed of the JUS
tee 81 their cause. He who enjoys the bles-
sings OF peace, and all the advantages flow.
ing from free Government, and an Impair
tlal administration of Justice, will never
shrink from the evils of war, when con-
vinced that every species of forbc arance has
neen practised by the constituted authorities
OF the country, and that no alternative
mas oeen lett but war open and direct, or an
abandonment of rights essentially connected
with the-independence of the nation. In nc
form can this truth in my opinion be more
luily Impressed on the mind of the people,
tlan by review OF the Course pursued by
the present Republican party towards Fo-
reign nations, from the year sol, when they
were first honoured with the public conf
dence, down to the present time. Such q.
review Will carry conviction to every un-
preJudlced mind, that peace has been che
rished as the sheet-anchor of our POLITICAL
safety by the Republican Administrations.
and that during the last eight years, If only
our injuries had been consulted. we have
mad abundant cause for war with almost e
very power with whom we have commerce.
al relations.
In 1902, Immediately after the interests oE
the nation were confided to the present re-
publican party, the Treaty Of Amiens was
Concluded which restored peace TO Europe.
The storms which overshadowed the last
years OF the Federal Administration were
dissipated, our cXpences were reduced with
IN narrow compass, and the fair prospect
presented OF reapng rich harvest fro-n
our neutral position, and Of APPLYING the
whole proceeds OF rapidly increasing re-
venue to the cxtingushnient of the debts
contracted III our struggle for independence.
Our first difficulties were with SPAIN
L he right of deposit 1T Orleans was denied
ns in December 1902, and the people of the
Western Country deprived of an outlet for
thfir produce. On this occasion the oppo-
nents OF the Republican party made every
eAertion to plunge the United States into ..
war. While, however. preparation was
made Tor maintaining the t,.hts Of the ma
ton by holding in readiness detachment
OF militia, an aCquisitio.rof lhe Territory oy
peaceobie means was considered more con-
genial to the genius OF free Government.
and more consistent wit, the prime pies uni
tormly protested by the party recently no.
noured with the national confidence. Sc
cret appropriation was made for tie ,uur-
chase Of the Jerritory, Which, being situa-
ted at the mouth of the Mississippi and conn
handing the whole CONNIE &c of the Yves
tern Country, would have subjected US To
constant collision with the Nation possessing
1t. The Territory being cetled by Strain
10 france and war recomn' cnCing i'm 1906
between Great Britain and that power the
Il favorable opportunity was seiScd on by tie
United States, and the Territory of Lruisia-
ma, including Orleans, purchased Willie
the Territory was possessed by Foreign ma
tons, no opportunity was omitted bv the op-
ponents Of the Republican Party to magnify
lis importance. 1t was described in their
Speeches a. a county larger in extent than
all Europe, and in climate and sell per-
feet paradise. No sooner. however, Yves it
acquired in pcaceable manner, than IL VAS
as a wilderness fit cnly for tic
habitation of beasts. and tl.e RepCb}:can
party denounced fer squabGerrg q sAs
of the Nation IN the purchase Of a Icriito-
~ for the acquisition of which they were
wiling 70 plunge us into war. The coed
sense Of the people approved the Tacific po-
ICY of the Government, aTd the importance
II the acquisition was soon acknowledged by
men Of al political opinions.
The c-ccmmshccH.cut Ct t,.e War be-