The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1813-02-26

TINS reaSonaoie request may expect without 'eXcep-
ton, or respect to persons, TO be prosecuted with
the utmost risour OF the law.
JOHN MURPHY, Junr.
Feb. %. r.
1oth Editors ofthe National Inteifgencer.
GENTLEMEN,
~ 1t is not my intention to euloe,ze, or to
vindicate, the administration, or its mem-
bers, or the majority in Congress. Ofthem,
speak not. l come before the public now,
with the same spirit which filed my heart
& guided my pen, in other times: when the
question was. whether the constitution OF
these U States did, in fact, subject the liber-
ties of The people to the variable, and unli-
mited discretion, of those in power In my
humble station, and with my limited capa-
city, did my best. While others gave
their thousands, L threw in my mite.
contended, without reference 70 persons
TOR the great and vital principle of civil
liberty, now placed, l trust and believe,
where it can never more be assailed--in
the bosoms and hearts of the people
Since that memorable period, / have been
silent, but not inattentive. saw mauv
rushing to the field, when the battle was at
an end, and loudly Boosting OF victory
which their neutrality had endangered.
saw in others zeal, as excessive as n was
new, striving to hide, by the holiness of its
port, and the arrogance of its pretensions,
the well known meanness of its BIRTH
What more have seen, and deplored and
felt, it is not necessary to state. NV oh
ject is not to wound, but to heal; not to
provoke, but to conciliate. Times of diff
kculty, OF still greater difficulty, have a
gain arrived. The honor, the welfare. the
safety OF this nation are at stake. but
where are those by whom the whole people
OF America shall be reused to great, con.
tinued and united effort in their assertion
and defence4 Again, say, speak not of
those in power. They are doing their duty
at their posts, under the eyes of those who
placed them where they stand. But where
are the talents, the eioquence, the enthus
asm OF ,SS Hitherto they have not APP
peared. Let them, if they exist, as un
qaestionab!y they do, again come forth
Let there be no neutralty---no refuge in
that caution which witt not decide, or in
that policy which is afraid to speak.-The
| republicans of America must shake off the
inSiorious apathy which they indulge. Dut
! forth all their strength, and shew that thew
are able to maintain those rights and inter
ests. which, for twelve years past, have
oeen ihtrnsted to their care. Let this be
DONE and without delay. While the gov
ernment is endeaVoring to provide and to
organize. the means OF defence, against the
public enemy, let those who believe. and
Know and feel that's must be supported. or
that ruin will ensue, meet their political
! opponents IN their great appeai 70 the
nation, and hrmly, though calmly, vindicate
the cause OF the country, and their own
| This is the time. The cause of republican.
ism. Il speak these words in their usual
acceptation) the cause. of republicanism is
intimately, perhaps essentially, connected
with the character OF the present republi-
can party. This party is, at this moment.
loudly, clamerousy, and might add. ran
corousiy denounced. 1t ought to make an
immediate defence. 1t ought to EXHIBIT IN
the nation, n distinct view of the actual
| condition in which it is placed, of the car
ses which have led to it, & of those means
by which alone it can be saved. Let not
this high and solemn duty be confided to
men who, like this writer, have industry
without. skill, and zeal, without ability.
Ii this shall be the case, if the diff
cuities now before us, are surlnounted
as trust in the mercy of God. and
the spirit OF this people, they will be :
II this nation shall "abide the pelting'' of
the comiHg storm, and emerge, strong in
uhion and bright in honor; the INDECENT,
the tnid, the sunshine patriot, the
summer friend" should receive NO welcome
from those who, with promptitode and de-
ciSion, support their country, its character
and their own. He who will not share in
the labor of the campaign. ought not 20
participate in the glory of the triumph.
Let me be understood. I mesn not m
soy, that those, who condemn the measure,
OF tie government, and denounce the per.
sons by whom 1t is administered, are the
enemies OF their country. I do not say 40
do not thiHk so. God forbid On the
contrary believe AMI know that many
and cheeriuIly admit that all. love their
Country with the purest and most arden,
affection but contend, because believe
! that, heated by party spirit, they do not
amy advert to the situation Of this country
actually engaged in war, with a iealous
Iuntriendly and powerful nation, and thai
the course which they pursue, howcve,
innocent the motive. can bring nothing or
our heads but degradation and calamity.
before the mischiefs, already felt. and
those which will inevitably result from .
want " OF union FOR tho common defent- 2,
general welfare" are here brought int
view, few moments must be devo,ed e
the detection Of some of those faIjac;es
which were intended tc produce local q,
a general deiusior
In one section of tbs country, virginia.
influence Is, 7ytfh s2gIe, A perpetual toni,
ct defamation, of reproach & of comDIaint
Ibe alarm has beeu soun led within III.
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