The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1812-03-13
pVd. 8--------Nc. 100.

Judging or the measures themselves: but
newspaper editors ought to be competent to
Judge OF tfle merits or dement's of measures,
reSardtsss OF ,,ieir authors. They ought
not at lsast to;mpose restraints OH those whe
would undertake the task, by the descriptions
OF improper motives to their conduct-the
most humiliating and degrading Office that
genius can perform. What is to be the eff
feet or the substitution of aspersion for argu-
ment upon the free exercise and expression
OF OPINION viii 1T not place opinion under
the most serious restraints Is not this eff
icct sensibly felt at this moment And is this
| operation likely to become beneficial in tho
/ deVelopement of TRUTH Mr. Giles said he
was not insensble to the imposing motives.
which impelled us to this unfortunate state
Oh things. 1t was the strong impressions of the
| importance OF union and harmony in our mea-
sures' dictated by the urgent crisis of our
| aHalrs. L his is certainly an imposing claim
and no gentleman felt its influence more sem
sloiy than himself. No qualification to his
NINA could be greater, than associatinr and
larmonlslng III opinion with those, whom he
loved and respected, with whom he had for.
long time been in the habit of thinking and
acting, &c. But is it desirable to unite and
iiatinonise III errors Win harmony and
union III errors prevent their practical effects
on society? Errors too of the first marni-
tude OF vital Importance to the reputation
ana interests OF the nation. The claim of
union and harmony to sanction errors of this
high character and Bearing, if errors ,hev
were, as his best judgment taught him tber
were although imposing and fascinatinm,
ought TO be resisted--It was sacred duty to
examine them, and expose them. that soc;e.
~ might be relieved from their injurious
enects.-lt is Certainly a more painful and
disagreeable, but at the same time in his
judgment, more candid and friendly ner.
lormance OF duty even towards their am.
thors. And, sir, by what standard are
these errors to be tested 7 For himself ha
SAID, he knew of but one. Although others
might be, and probably are, less fallible, ycs
ne knew OF but one, upon whose hositi1,e II.
deity he could with absolute Certainty relvI
nat was the Judgment, such asitwas, with
winch God and nature had been pleased to-
bless him. In every possible situation in
which he could be placed, he would follow
Its honest dictates, even if popular clamor
were laundering round his ears. He said
popular opinion as evinced through such de-
cePtlve mediums as we have, arc the most
tallible guides, and are often seen as auctuat-
ing as the winds
Notwithstanding he never did and never
would shrink from any responsibility impos-
ed upon him by the duties of his station
yet, upon this occasion, knowing the jnfln-
ence of names, he did mean to shield his re-.
sponslbility under the influence of a name.
name that would and ought to afford
him complete protection
Although he had several times lateIv been
reproached by the gentleman from Tennes-
see, (Mr Anderson,1 with borrowing his
oplnlens upon military subjects from military
men,not possessing the necessary experience
himself, yet he thought he could present in
support OF his opinion, the opinion of a mil,t..
airy character, he had consulted upon this
occasion, that the gentleman from Tennes.. !.
~ n m
the respect which might be claimed, bv his
own military eXgSuence.
Yes, sir, he SAID, he did upon this occa-
sion, propose to shelter his responsibility I'M
der the name OF one, who, whilst living had
rendered more actual beneficial service 70
his country, than he believed would ever
again fall to the lot of any other individual
and he has lett behind him many valuable
practical lessons, which, if we are 1rise
enough to respect and follow, he will even
alter death, be rendering the highest SER
vices to his country. He was one, who.
though not very prolific of visions, Of notions
and theories, was wise from experience. He
was wise in conduct-wise in actions. =
Mr.. Giles said, that although at all times
he had felt as much admiration and graft.
tude for the revolutionary services Of the
American hero and patriot, rs any gentle
man IN theaUpited States yet candor in
duced him to acknowledge, that there was
time, when he doubted the superiority of
his talents asa statesman but a more init
mate acquaintance with mis- character and
measures further information and re6ec-
ton and the practical experience of more
than twenty years, had completely Conyin-
Iced him of the superiority Of the talents of
this great man, as a statesman, as well as a
soltier-and had also fully admonished Mr..
9. OF his former errors, And whilst, said
Mr.. Giles, / could not subscribe to all the
measures ofhis administration, yet take him
for ali i'll all, / fear and thinE, we ne'er
shall see his like again" Let us hear what
Cen Washington has said Of the effect of
short enhstments.--I.et us not disrespect les
sons OF so much wisdom and experience. If
1t were practicable to organize your volun-
teers tor one years service under the pro-
visions of this bill, which he believed was not
the case, let us hear what his opinions of
their efficacy would be, when raised--espe-
cialiy for the purpose of offensive war. 1t is
to his opinions, Mr.. Giles said, he appealed
to correct errors which might be fatal I'M
their consequences--errors that placed
principal reliance upon troops for offensive
EerE Q. BY Mr. GILES.
Mr.. Bib, from Kentucky, in reply 10 this OBJ
seryaon, having stated that he differed ia opinion
with Mr.. Giles to the Auctuatng character OF