Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1817-12-13

such establishments, would be further 10
descend from the highest pinnacle OF ho-
norableelevatiOn 10 the lowest abyss okhi-
initiation ii,,d contempt. Men embarked
In the giori0t,> and magnauimous sirug-
gle for trecdnuf> and the rights of man,
can never sioop To the condition of buc-
cancers, band!tii ana pirates. That the
pulse OF every lover =! freedom should
beat high, i'll sympathy WIN the asserters
ot the rights of man IN every region, Is
consonani TO the nature of man: but thar
ours Should throb with delight "a / thes sue
cess, and recoil TO the heart on the ,.efeat
of our neIghbors, our brothers, inhabiis.H
The same continent, migrating thither IA
bent The same period, and under circum-
stances very similar-wiih our brothers,
who were lately suffering, as we did from
The cold and uiiieeling expressions pro-
duccd ON them by their kindred and their
friends-ls surely not To- be wondered al.
Similltude OF SutIeTance Will produce con-
genial sympathy. SimIlitude of suffer
ance i'll similar and virtuous cause, will
find no limit 10 lis feeling. But feeling
viii not give us the correct standard
whereby the coarse and conduct of The
legislators entrusted with the guardian
ship OF the rights and interests of ihei.
constituents, but Just now successfully
emerged from the same arduOus and ex-
allied struggle, should be regulated .....
Tins feeling must be tempered with sound
discretion. Experience must teach us
a little prudence. WHO is there "a
mongsi us, of The most ardent Of those
whose feelings beat most high in the
cause of revolutionary France, ana who
we're most violent in denouncing the con-
duct and pacific policy Of the great father
of his country, for attempting 10 restrain
those feelings within the limits of Il sound
and discreet prudence, who did not, when
experience had shownt!,e madp policy ofim-
piica,ing our destinies with hers. who did
not offer homage 80 ile wisdom, virtue q
patriotism of that great man? Twas one of
these, who, as loudly as any other. de-
nounced the proclamation of neutrality,
and the, as we then called IT, arbitrary, IL
legal and unconstitutional interference of
the executive, To restrain rs from co.ope-
rating with our allies IN the cause of free.
dom and the rights oman. The sagacity
and virtue Of the patriot no, ~coo. es that
homage and respect, which the wild ex-
travagances and ardent intemperance of
youth then most VeLenently denied. So
will posterlty act and decide, as to the
conduct OF our present administration.
However aIniab.e and estimable this ar
dent sympathy with OUr southern breth-
rem, nobl% reoeemiyg themselves from
an oppressive ana Odious bondage, NAV
appear, vet course dictated by sound
discretion, and guided by caution and
prudence, in administration, must meet
their appreciation. Although some a.
mong us may see, in the conduct Of the
administrations, an one sided policy; NAV
see, i'll every one of their acts, from the
reclamation of 1915, issued TO suppress
4 ia liz
isiana, 10 The order for suppressinsthe est
ADJUSTMENTS al Amelia Island &, Gaivezton,
tnat all these acts have been on one side:
that they all bore against the provinces, a.
gainstthG causein which Tier patriots are en-
gaged-yei, sir, cannot doubt, that when
tins course shall be calmly ~ dIspasSion-
aely scanned and examined, the Judgment
OF the American people aud ofan impartial
posterity wiliapplamd the course, 81 see in
| II tie result OLA wise, yirtu0us and pacific
policy. TheywiII discern, in the procla-
nation issued by Mr.. Madison, and in his
declarations 10 the Spanish minister, that
the ilag Oi the patriots IN our ports should
be equally respected with every other,
nothing but determined adherence TO
the dictates Of il Just aud impartial neu-
tralty. They will see in the sourse of
policy pursued by the newadminisiration,
message, that The conduct of the govern
ment has been most c0nciliatOry aud
| friendly; as friendly as il could be with
| out engaging in the war OIL their side. In
| the declaration, that this contest is re-
gardcd, not in the light of an ordinary in
suTeciIon or rebellion, but as a civil war
| between parties nearly equal, having, as
| To neutral powers, equal rights, our gov
eminent has gone before every power, and
| has advanced, i'll an eminent degree, the
interests of the provinces. 1t has given
them countenance, and will incrsdse for
them the respect of other nations. The
measure now taken is strong one i'm their
! favor. The President, in his message, has
| spoken Of their rights as being equal to
! those of Spain. lie has sent agents TO
communicate with them as the govern
mems de facto, and has declared the right
| OF This government 10 hold such commu-
nications with the provincial authorities.
| The agents are, it is true, informal, and
| have no commissions vet their conmu-
| nications will be not the less respected.
| Going thiiher in a vessel Of war, will give
| thc stamp Of authority TO these csmmu-
n!caii0ns, aud cause them to be well re-
| ceiyed and attended to. This measure in
| its9lf goes far towards recognition of
| their Independence il is every thing but
an express acknowledgment II gives
them tie advantages OF such acknO"ledg-
| ment, without lis disadvantages, aud also
without too great compromiimenf otths
| United States. the other part Of the
message, which declares that the United
States viii not profit of their indepen-
| deuce, will have beneficial effect IN IA
vor Of The provinces. II will disspate Tie
| jealOusles Of England, and other powers,