Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1817-07-04

| ression and doyma,ism Of the church, and en-
ploycd themselves, at their leisure hours, in
| burning the sub herctics, who dared to improve
| upon their creed.
| IL may be observed, however. that the Aris-
tocratic and Democratic parties, where they
exist, do not always appear in simple and M
disguised form. Where there are privileged
orders, the most powerful Will always be the
Rncis,is or rallying point of Aristocracy, ana
whatever body or party IN the state is natural
| ~ ted bv circumstances to counterfeit their IN
tiuence, may be regarded as the representative
of the democratic party, even though its ope-
ration may have no great connection with any
just notions OF popular right. Thus, in Tmr-
| kew, where no person dreams OF liberty or per
| sonal rights, the arbitrary power of the despot
| IS IN some degree checked by the influence of
| the Jauissaries, who may therefore be looked
upon as the representatives of the people. So
in the early periods Of English history, the bo-
dy OF the people, FAR frem having any voice il
| politics, were held in personal bondage, and
boushtand sold like beasts; but their part in
the state was supported by the barons whose
private interest led them In restrict as much rs
possible the royal prerogati,p, and to secure
for themselves, u privileged order. the rights
10 which they were entit!ed men. When
therefore, the barons eXtorted from Kin. John
the acknowledgment of the Magma Char.a, they
acted as representatives, however unconsci-
ousiy, ofthe people and the people are now en-
Joymg the advantages that these oppressurs
procured for themselves.
Their Commonwealth was the triumph of
purely poPular principles over tie sovereign
and the mobiles Ies9uod together for mutual de-.
fence, and could not have been effected at that
period OF society without the aid ofreligious
fauaticiSn. The restoration of the Stuarts was
the reuewalof arbitrary power and the people
sunk, for time. into their former insignifi-
canoe. But classification could not last long
considering the degree OF cultivation TO which
they had now reached Religious zeal was
once more made apretence and instrument TO
obtain political rights, and the revolution OF
loss restored to them their Importance in the
state, IN which, though no longer sovereign,
their voice was heard again through a power
fuI party, interested in restraining and check.
Ing the arbitrary power of The severe ign. From
THIS period. may be properly dated the COM
mencem"nt or the parties that now exist in
fngland hut in the intervening time they
have met with very great and material chang
e.
The Tories at this period, and for long time
after, were the friends Ot the Stnirts OF arbi-
trdry power. and The Roman Catholic religion
it is well known that they kept up a constant
correspondence with the exiied family to as
late period at least as The attempt OF Charles
Edward IN l745 and that il was the intention
or Queen Ann aud some OF her ministers in
ending Lord Bolingbroke, TO restore the Pre-
tender. While this danger lasted, the Wings
lar from being purely popular or democrat
ic party, were merely in favor of some share
OF popular INFLUENCE in the state. In fact, du.
ring most OF this time, the king and ministry
supported ihS party, to which the King was
indebted for his throne.
NSuSSH tttill, hetnr nefreh OF the STUART FAINT
". naturaiiyte partialitv for these iilustri
on. eXiies, and kept about her for years set
OF Tory ministers. They were men of great
ta.ents and energy, and had the Queen lived
much longer would probably have effected
their objects. If they had il would have made
no difference to the people. who had not much
interest in the question, whether the crown
Should be worn bya Stuart or Brunswick. -
Fortunately for the latter, the Queen died the
ministry lost their places and well nigh their
ntauS, ana the stuart his throne
hue, however, the Tories were attachedin
TACT TO the Stuart interest, it was impossible to
proclaim this attachment; and the public con.
tests between the two parties were carried on
ABOUT political principles or the eApediency Of
measures, As may he seen ia the writings Of
swift and Addison. The Wings, though tli0y
Included the king and ministry, stood forth
in'iefence ofpopulsr privileges, and the right
OF occasional resistance. The Tories, thongii
generally III opposition, maintained the doc
trines OF arbitrary power and passive ohcdi'
ence and non resistance. While the Tories
were in power, Swift, who had not much sin.
eer!fy at bottom, attempted 10 reconcile tie o.
pinions of the contending parties upon these
points, and to show that they were substantial
~ the same, by an Ingenious parallel in one of
the Examiners of the sense in which they re-
spectiveiy understood the doctrine of passive
obedience. This situation of things where the
opposition were denying the right ofresistance,
ana the court c0ntending for popular privile.
yes, was OF course unnatural, and could last
no longer than the extraordinary circumstan.
ce. that produced it. That the court party
should represent the democracy and the oppo,
sitron the driStCcracy, must ehviously have been
the effect ofaccident Accordingly. a. tlr dan
ger from the Sinarts diminished, and their
partygraduaiIy declined in England, ari,tocra-
tic feelings and principles began 10 find their
natural position at court, and demoe racy took
refuge with tie opposition; and this has regn.
larry continued since the accession ofthe pre-.
sent king. The Tories have constantly bpen
the court party, and the Wings the opposition,
ana n.o"gh the latter nave been occasionally
in Office for short periods, this has ALWAYS
been considered triumph OF the popular in
terest, and no change of feeling in the royal
party.
An this, however, did not happen with hut
some comp oInise Of principle Though the
court became, by the force Of circumstauces
the centre OF the aTlstocratic party, they could
not we'll forget that the Brunswick familywas
placed upon the throne by the principle Of le-
ultimate resistance and pOpuIar right nor
could the Whigs, though now the champions of
the democracy, fail To remsmbe how long they
had represented the king and administered the
government Still the Wings opposed the go.
vernment, represented the party of the peo.
Pile, though thcif principles at this period were
verytarfrom being violently democratic They
stood perhaps about upon the true srosud az
the "a fliSh Constitution in its purity. which
The Tories were rather disposed to corrupt
and strain in favor of arbitrary power in tho
crown. Several events, of great importance
which have since occurred In suco ession, have
ldd tendency to make the principles Of the
Wings more democratic /; and at every change
this description. tho party has been found
very considerably weakened in influence. tin
AT last il has. for the moment at least nearly
ceased to existA very remarkable proof that
the leaning of the British Constitution. Al
least in its present shape, is not towards de-
InocTacy. shall, mention, with some very few
remarks, the Giro instances 10 which alludc
Theyare the American Revolution, the French
Revolution, and the present political cri-
sis.