Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1816-02-08
cove RESS.
.ER. PI.NKNEF'S SPEECH
(CONCLUDED.)

We talk Of ourselves as if we only were
the representatives of the people. But the
FIRST magistrate of this country is also the
representative of the people. the creature
of their sovereignty, the administrator Of
their power, their steward and servant as
you archie comes from the people, is #
dby them into place and authority, and
after short season returns TO them tor cen
cure or app!a use. There is no anal gy be-
tween such m gistrate and the hereditary
monarchs of Europe. He is not born TO
the Inheritance of Office he cannot even be
elected until he has reached an age at
which n must pass for what he is unit his
habits have been formed, his integrity tried,
his opacity ascertained, his character dis
u.sel and probed for series of years, by
press, win CHI knows none of the restraints
of European policy. He acts, as you do, in
the full view Of his constituents, and under
the Consciousness that, on account of the sim
gieness of his station, all eyes arc upon him.
He knows, too, as well rs you Can know, the
temper aud intelligence of those for whom
he acts, and TO whom he is amcnable. He
cannot hope that they will be blind to the
vices Of his administration On subjects of
high concernmcnt and vital interest and
in proportion as he acts upon his own re-
spousib:litv, unrelieyed and undiiutcdby
the infusion of ours, is the danger Of Had
yisld Conduct likely TO be present in his
mint
OF all the powers which have been en-
trusted to him, there is none to which the
temptations t. abuse belong so little as to
The treaty making power in all its branch
rs none which can boast such mighty safe
guards in the feelings, and views and pas
sions which even a misanthrope could at
t-;i, tn Ocf cr II
public-He can have no motive to palsy by
!. commercial or any other treaty the pros
rity OF his country. Setting apart the
restraints Of honor and patriotism, which
are characteristic of public men in nation
habitually free. could he DO so without sub
i.cting himself as a member Of the cnmmu-
nlty Ito say nothing OF his immediate con-
neotions) TO the evils Of his own work A
commercial treaty, too, is always conspi
cuous measure. Itspeaks for itself. 1t
Cannot take the galb of hypocrisy, and
shelter itself from the scrutiny of vigi-
liant and well instructed population. if it be
bad, it will be condemned, and if dishon-
esty made, be execrateh. The pride of
country, moreover, which animates even
the lowest Of mankind, is here a peculiar
pledge for the provident and wholesome
exercise of power. There is not consi-
breast can be made to vibrate that is not
in this case the ally of duty. Every hope
either lofty or humble that springs forward
TO the future even the vanity which looks
not beyond the moment the dread of shame
and the love OF glory the instinct of am
btion the domestic affections the cold
ponderlngs Of prudence and the ardent in
stigations of sentiment and passion, are all |
on the side of duty. 1t is in the exercise
Of this power that resp visibility to public !
opinion, which even deSpotism feels and |
trockles to, is of gigantic force. If it were !
possible, AS am sure it is not, that an A. |
rnerican citizen, r<sed upon the credit of 2 |
long live Of virtue, to ,tation 50 full OF |
hoGor, could feel disposition to mingle the |
little Interests Of Il perverted ambition with !
the great concerns Of his country, as en- /
braced by commercial treaty, and to sac |
TiGce her happiness * power by the stip-
uations of that treaty, to hatt or aggrar-
die foreign state. lie would still be ss-
we'd from the pcrditipn Of such a course,
not OILY by const tutional checks, but by
the irresistible eff racy of responsibility to
public opiaion, ~ a nation whose public O.
I,inon wears no uiasque, and viii lot be
silenced. lie would rene Der that bis
career is but the thing Of Al
hour, aud that when it has passed he must
descend to the private station from which
be rose, the object either Of love and ven
erstior, OF Of soorn md horror. 1--we cast
, glance at England, We shall not fail to
zee the influence Of pnbic opinion upon az
hereditary king. al hereditary nobii y, aud
. House Of Commons eleCed in great de
,reo by rotten boroughs, and oveIhJwing |
With piacemen. And Il this influence is