Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1817-05-30
RICHMOND, NAY 80.
TO THE EDIcR OF THE ENQUIRER.

| TO THE EDr.s' X OF THE ENQUIRER.
| SIR
| | have been very much pleased
with the notice you have taken IN some
OF your late papers-of certain ridicu-
lous and anti-republican customs which
are becoming prevalent i'm the United
| States, and which hope will meet with
the scorn and contempt Of all those who
are friendly to the permanently and puri-
| ty OF our free Institutions. / aIlude to
the ridiculous habit we have got into OF
giving titles, and the order of etiquette
which has been lately established at
Washington-I attach more Importance
TO these things than some are disposed
to do. With me they have an 'sugly
squirting squint at monarchy
they show that disposition which seems
really to be planted in the heart of vain
and ambitious man, which bankers after
aristocracy and :" the stars and carriers
aud titles Of nobility" That disposition
Which has been the real source of all the
political calamlties which have i'm differ
ant ages OF tile world afflicted The human
race.
How contemplate and absurd if is for
the people of this country TO give coun-
tenance io customs which belong alone
10 monarchIes! Why will we descend TO
the character OF Ages, and make ourselves
ridiculous by initiating the bloatcd, igno-
rant and pampered blockheads of the old
world, who live upon the miseries Of The
people and 'rampie upon the happiness
OF their country ?-When we have found
ell our government urfin principles Of rea-
son, and when we see and feel that il es
cures to us every peiisicai blessing which
1t IS possible for people to enjoy, WHY
should we berunning into customs which
have tendency TO destroy it: which
have no reason in them, which are founded
IN those weak vanities tliat belong to lit
Tie minds and are never seen in company
with true greatness 2 How much more
| noble IN us would ii be TO initiate the viz
tuous simplicity of the Roman Patriots
who lived IN the simple times of the Ro-
man Republic men, who have received
the blessings Of the humanrace and whose
memories will be emtalmcd in the vene-
ration ofthe world, when kings and mobiles
snail he " rotten and forgotten" and their
humble imitators be remembered only TO
be despised
The simplicity of style which I have
seen lately noticed i'm two OF our great
men Zone at the head of the Executive of
the United States, and the other of the
Judiciary,( is worthy of the highest ap-
plause; the opinion of the contemplate
scribbler III the New York Advertiser TO
The contrary Notwithstanding. Such
high examples have the most beneficial
tendency on society. They give tone
To II and are worthy of our imitation
When we see such men as James Monroe
| and John Marshall in the plain styIe of
Cato and CinciDnatus, men elevated TO the
highest offices in the gift ola great nation.
we feel proud of our country and proud
that she is blessed with such illustrious
ornaments.
once saw the Hero of New Orleans on
his way TO the Seat of Government after
lils glorious achievements on The banks
OF the mississippi; after he had laid lo,c
some OF their Lord Ships and stript from
their brows the laurels which they had
| won III many well fought field in
Europe; after he had saved his country
| nom disgrace and desolation, and was re-
| celving from her every where he went the
most iiatterlng testimonials of her graft
tude. saw the inhabitants of little vii
lage rise up Ell masse almost, TO go ont TO
| welcome him without ceremony and with
ont form, some on horseback and some on
| foot.
| was one OF the number myself and
never did L. witness more touching or
interesting scene. We met the Hero a.
bout four miles from Town, plain old
| man on horseback with his Aid and little
! son by his sid, Withom one single mark of
| Po0lp or oSteatat'on about him. He met us
| apparently with the most HEARTFELT delight.
| ana our salutatlons were as cordial as
they could be. His plainness and sim
pllcity of style increased my veneration
tor HIM ten thousand fold. looked no
on him as great and gallant soldier of
Republic, as noble Roman in principle,
as glorious hero whose magnaniiniiy
dlsdalned that kind Of siiew which tickles
The vanity of weak minds. saw in his
dress, manners and Whole conduct the
true republican in heart and in senti-
ment, and thought him worthy to com
pie.
a COITNTEVMAN