Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1816-06-19

-.-s.s.sIsss
every part of the country. To them is
opened source Of amusement and inStruc-
hon, by this interchange, which affords
Qualifications, c1uGter5alanciug in a degree
Inc vexaiions Of the editorial business. The
ropiousness OF matter they afford, some
tinss distracts them as much, rs a. other
times its scarcity. Never was the field SO,
barren as, At TINS moment, which. 81 far
from repaying the reaper's tolls, will scarce
" aii'rl materials for the gle2ner.
The Leading topic OF discussion, at the
present day, as many Of our readers
will be s,r'prizca to learn, is the Act pass
ed At the late session of Congress, for chang
ing tae mode misrepresentation to the iaem~
tsrs of Congress-.
The establishment OF a vast noaisd COR
porasion the provision for adjusting i'm
inense claims against the government Tor
military services and losses the establish
rnelt Of a totally ne~ tariff OF duties, hav-
ing an equally important bearing en- agri-
culture, coynlerce and manufactures all
these measures pass almost without remark
OF approval OF disapproval--the prssden-
tia, Gle tion itself even calls forth new
pens.
But the compensation bill has reused
those spirits that would otherwise have
slum5ered attheir posts Tor want CT occu-
patton. Il has done more 1t mas not only
pointed the peos Of some OF onr ablest wri-
tiers, but has inspired those with e!oqnence
who never spake before.
In keHSocky, particularly, it has excited
much coutruver>y, and produced an oppo-
siUon 20 some men, whose popnl rity might
have been Supposed invnlnsrab,e. We are
not surpriz FL at tn force of public opinion
L.. -.
strength OF our government; bat we are
surprzed that tic public oDnen should be
what i Is. We should be still more con
cernsd, shoud Oh s,ugle measure, right or
wrong, be permitted to canoe, the merit
OF 4 lie OF honest ss'Iiuty aud chjvalrous
zeal in support of the best interests OF the
nation. 1t would be truly surprising if the
re-elec ton % such men as HENRY CLAY
and RICHARD NJ. JorNssN were to be
Jeopardized by vote, by many believed to
hive been wise, ana By every one known to
have tccn honest and disintcrested. Even
were ter votes unwisr, on this question,
which ", hGmbiy think has never been de
monstrated, Il woull aff,rd no sufficient
ground for extending men from seats in
Congress, which thry have uniformly filed
with honor 20 themselves and advantage to
their country.
Every human being is fali;be; and none
ought 20 be condemned for single error,
Especially on doubtful question: except
by those who are satisfied Of their own
claim to perfectibiity.
That Representatives are responsible 70
the PscP,e for due execution Of the du-
ties entrusted them, is truism needing nc
demonstration. But il never could have
b CT Designed by the trainers of ths consti-
tn..oa, that legislative duties shCuil be
performed withoat adequate compensation
The legislator, it appears to us, should be
PLACED not ony above the temptation tt
aggraniize himself by direcs pecuniary
benefits. bdt asn above the seductcas o.
Wore lucrative but subordinate Offices IL
She gift of the Executive. Itcannot he cor
rect THAI the Representatives of the Peo
pc should be stinted to compensation. (a.
heretofore, inferior 70 that Of their suboi.
dinate clerks, aud even TO that Of their door
keepers. Mar. Int.