The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1813-04-23

tperintendant General OF Military Supplies
THE MASSACHUSETTS, ELECTIOn
fias terminated, It appears, IL, the elec
ton OF FederaiiSts in all branches Of the stat.
government, by najorities greater than a
the election in april last, but much les,
tsan at the election in November. At thi!
result the Federal party exhibit an exulta
tioD that knows no bounds--wth what rea
son let our readers Judge, when they exam
ihe tue grounds for it. Had the result bee;
unexpected, there might have been some
cause Tor their rejoicing [; as it is, we won
der they DO not hail their renovated hon rs
WITH more chastenedjoy because. judg
ing from their 9extravagart elevation, " c
are led 10 conclude that their success was
as unexpected by them IS they know it 70
nave been unmerited. The Republicanism
OF the Senate of Massachusetts has, it is
true, hitherto saved the State from materi-
Al injury from the excesses of parry; and
that obstacle is now removed. The fede-
raj party have now the entire control of the
government but we see no cause to fear
from united councils more dele,erious
measures than have already been adopted
by the separate branches of the local Lee
sislature.
The great object Of the Federal leaders,
distinguishing them from their followers,
appears to be, to oppose the measures, be
they what they may, of the general govern
ment; with which the state Legislatures
nave constitutionaly no concern, except as
the constituents of the Senate of the United
states. Ia this capacity it is, no donbt, that
they nave always exercised the right of dis
cussing the measures of Congress, and of
declaring their opinions thereon, as a guide
to their particular Representatives. The
same right of peaceably assembling and ex
pressing their opinions is secured to the
People by the constitution. and frequently
exercised. But the doctrine of the right of
the States or of the People to oppose by
counteSactng acts the measures of the go
vernment, is of modern date and Eastern
origin. 1t is right no more appe rtaining
to the Legislature of state than to the
same number of persons assembled in any
other public meeting. In whatever view 1t
may be considered, however, it has been
already carried to as great lengths, we be
sieve, as the party will deem it prudent at
this time to push it, by the Executives of
such states as have refused to call out the
militia for the defence of The soil, in the
war IN which we are now engaged. The
federal states have thus secured to them
selves. in the eyes of the enemy as well as
or their countrymen, the enviabe rank of
"non-combatants." Further than this. we
believe, the state government of Massa-
chusetts, now federal in all its branches,
viii not venture III the experiment of oppo
sition to the war, otherwise than In con
stitiitional manner. a
The course pursued by the factious lea
dcrs. in regard TO the Militia, IS well as in
their thanksgiving proclamatione and other
devices to g make the worse appear the
better cause" proves not SO much perhaps
that they are attached to British interests
as thar thew n re TO L,,t,
may be done by republican administra
ton for the interest of their own country.
his remark is further conhrm Ell by the
recorded fact, that they were the first and
loudest to clamor against the government
Tor not resenting the maritime depreda-
lions OF Britain in 1895 and 1806-the very
,uJnrles which have gradually led TO, and
the persistence in which has been the chief
cause OF the war. There is no question but a
prediction for British religion, morals, in
situations and habits may have some inhu-
ence in producing the violent hostility to the
present war which displays itself in that
part of the country which the factjous
prints, orators and priests ostentatiohsly
call /" New England But we have little
doubt, had the banners of the Republic
been uniurled against Imperial France"
as was recommended by public act of the
House of Representatives of Massachusetts
not many years ago, the same spirit of op-
position would have produced nearly the
same effect, and the faction would then
have officially eulogised France and feasted
her agents, and toasted her victories. in
pretty much the same style as they now
support the cause of Britain and her allies.
Ibe recommendation Of war against
France, to which we have adverted. at
least proves that it is not to zpar that the
party is opposed, in the same manner as
their conduct on a former occasion author.
ises the assertion that they invited & encour-
aged war against England. Their oppo
sition to the present war is, therefore, for
opposition's sake. Some few men, we sin.
cerely believe, do cordially embrace the
Cause of the enemy, from principle and fee
ling, and would prefer to live under Bri
tish Prince as Protector of " The Northern
ConfederaCy," to living under free govern
ment, the officers Of which are chosen bv
Republican sufrsges. But these feel
ings they dare not avDw they break oui
pow and then like half-smothered flame
but a re eXtinguished by the cold wafer
thrown upon them by more discerning men.
who properly appreciate the public feeling
on thus head
1t such a state Of things exist. our readers
will TO doubt ask. how il is that the PEG.
pie do not discover it, and drive from Do,y
er and em,nence the votaries Of such An
eyer-changing, neyer-euding oDposi;ion.-
Our readers are not aware Of the manner
IN which the press, the pulpit, and the
schools OF that section Of Tie country, which
are under the control of the hyperion
IL Il.