Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1817-08-05
RICHMOND. AUGUST i.
TOUCH at the TIMES.

The hub-bub, which once distracted
the nation, is no more; and save in few
States only, there isa perfect calm reign
ing. The Republican Party have risen
triumphant, above all opposition. The
prosperity which they have secured at
home, and the honor they have acquired
abroad, the liberties we enjoyed under
their administration, the dangers they
dared, TO establish our national rights,
and the glories which they reaped, have
placed them far above their competitors
for power. The federal party, as nation
atparty, in most Of the States, are extinct
their misrule, when they were i'll power,
the alien and sedition laws which they
enacted-the parts which they played du-
ring the late righteous and critical war
the threats of the East, and the special
plots of the Hartford Convention, have
| dug the grave of their ambition. As
national party, they have nearly sunk in
TO the tomb. There, may they rest in
peace!
! In fact, there never has been so great
a political calm, as reigns at this mo-
ment. Party spirit is almost dumb
| The names of tederalist and republican
are scaceIy heard. Even TO the East,
where the distinction has been more
strongly marked, the public prints show
an urbanity towards each other, which
we have never before Witnessed. The
| Presidents tour, with all the idle pagean-
| try, all the ridiculous and noxious pomp
which it has called forth, has contributed
| to this effect. The President has siriven
| to pour oil upon the waves more, per-
haps, than is desirable; for, though
when brokenup into its elements, the
| federal party presents us with many an
honorable and high-minded man; vet
there are certainly some in 1T, whom the
| people ought never TO trust. Who can
| trust the man that deserted his Country
! at her" utmost need? Who can forget
the Conventionisis of Hartford! Does
| III. q. Otis expect to make his peace with
rose-watcr The party may gradually
be melted into the Republicans but
those leaders who attempted to build up
faction, are sunk for ever.
| Party-spirit, however, never can per-
fectly die. Republics will be divided in
TO opposite parties. When men can think
with freedom and act with decision, they
will split according TO tier views of the
| national interests.-This division IS like
| ~ TO arise as occasions may call 1t forth ;
as constitutional questions or local III
terests, for instance, may present them
sslves for popular discussion. Besides
these, there is one cause existing perhaps
IN all countries, which is more or less
likely TO lead 10 opposite views and OPT
nions-As wealth accumulaies, and lux
ury springs out of lis hotbed, we shall find
some men, fond of distinction, Of titles, oil
| privilege, unwilling to associate with their
fellow-citlzens, thinking themselves bet
ter than the mass of tlIe people, leaning
towards an arisiocracy III government ;
with such men il is impossible for the
friends Of equal rights TO hold communion
| They must declare war against them, as
| well as against those who have turned
their backs upon their country in the
hour of danger ; or those, who would con.
| SOtiddte the States into one Government
or who would rend the Union asunder
There can be no cancellation with sucl
men: for, such men, IsmaIl as then
number is at presently will be occasional
| ly found even III this country. Ever
here, " certain stars will shoot madlS
from their spheres.
There are few of the States, however
which do not enjoy this political calm
The people are there split into contend
ing parties and the newspapers refec
the image Of The people.
| Kentucky, for instance, is rent IN twaf
by constitutional question, Shall Ga
brlel Slaughter, the Lieut.. Governor, con
tinue 10 act as Governor or shall Their,
be new elcctionof Governor by tic PEG
plet Republican principles, rs welt a
constitutional siipulations seem 20 say th