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

in the progress OF political experience 10 the
American, * in some measure its consequence.
In the course of il, however, universal prin-
ciples were far more fully discussed, and the
sympathetic effect produced hy it on other ma
tionS " IS much more remarkable. In England
AZ weu in the United States, ii hada verS
sensible operation in aggravating the differ
ences between Aristocratic aud Democratic
Parties. and augmonting the zeal OF each in
their peculiar notious.--tn this country its o.
peratOn appears to have been ultimately la
vorable 10 the democratic pariv-in Eucaud
il was the reverse.-Whiie II increased the
yea! and activity ofthat portion Of the oppos-
tion who adhered to their principles, it opesa-
ted against them in another way, bv detaching
from them some of their ablest and most ethel
ent members. refer more particularly tn
the detection of Burke he always aledged
in his defence. when charged with apostacy
and inconSiStency.that he continued true 10
the former principles Of the Wings. and that il
was the rest ofthe party whohad quilted their
own ground to assume more popular one !;
and in his appeal from the new To the old Wings,
re compares the principles supported in his
writings with those that are maintaiueh IN the
s'Ncial papers of the principal persons concern
ed IN the fcvolution Of iGSS, i'm order to shew
their similarity. In this question of fact
think he was substantially Corrcct--whether
he was equally so in his opposition to the prin-
ciples of the French GevolutioIt, aud in the
measures he recommends to counterfeit it, pro
grcss. light perhaps be made question. Up
tor the time, at least, waSuo doubt to strength
en- the Nristccracv and weaken the opposi
tlon--the former pursued the most vigorous
measures with full success. and the latter. .hn'
conducted nv leader OF almost unexan,rled
ability, thought ii prudent tor a very cousidc
rable period 10 aerede from Parliament. The
experiment proved, therefore. that the Wings
thon2h they had so long represented the popu-
lar interest in England. were not in reality a
popular Or Democratic party, hut Onlva divi-
sion ot the Arstocracv, placed by circ,lnrstan.
ces III opposition 10 another more powerful
one
sis upon the state Of parties in England has
placed this truth in a st II more striking'light.
Inc distreSses that now prevail through the
country. havn" their origin in the political
administration os the pnblic concerns. kave ey-
cited among the class OF people that suffermost.
very general discomfort with the present S y
tenn cfpolitics and very lond CRY for Re
form OF the Constitution. Feeling satisfied
that the Government has not been conducted
with single view to the good of the people,
the only object that ought 10 he considered
they funk themselves authorised TO conclude
that the peopl" h we uothad asutiicient share in
m tlaodministr ,iinn-t shall not here enter
more AZ large into the charac and viev,of this
party. which Is cailsI the Reformers as Jiutend
To make them the subject of separate ex2m.
nation but merely observe TINT the Wings
instead of taking the lead in these efforts for
Reform, which, from their standing in society
and influence would NC their proper place if
they proposed to act for the people have ON
TINS occasion taken an open and decided part
with the Ministers And as the Reformers
IT not for them, are very decidedly againsi tS.rn
by making il much mole difficult far them to
effect what they call reform i'm their ewn
way, the Wings are animated with unusual
zeal against the popular party, and are of The
two rather more violent than the Tories Now
this secession from the people and union with
their adversaries is on question of popular
rights-on the great subject OF course which
divides the partes--it NAV, therefore be CON
sderedas equivalent tn an entire abandon
ment OF their existence as a party.-T'his am
sensible, admits of the same reply made bv
Burke to his old associate viz that the Wings
ot tile present 'Iav are trne to their old ln-
tel principles, and that the Reformers are too
eXagSerated.--Iuf practically. the case is the
same. BY separating themselves from the
people and ceas:ng to represent the democra
tic party they become in fIrt null. notwis,i-
standing they mavstil boas; Of theoretica, con-
slstencv. While tsey rem1re'; the orly puiar
partyin the country. they actaa with the peop!.
and had the strength of the people with them,
however remote their views might be, When
strictly defined and limited, from inst notions
of the peoples interest. They are now no Ion
ger the popular party, for another party has
risen mp more popular than they, and in this
case there can he no triple division. The
Wings Ianst either act with the AriKtocracy or
the Reformers. They have chose N the former
and have thus identified themselve with that
party 10 which indeed from their personal ST.
iuation in society they properly belong in any
struggle between them and tile people.
Thus, by operation OF these successive chan
gcs. n complete political separation has been
effected between the Aristocratc and De-
mocrafic interest which hid hitherto been
in some measure consolidated BY an inferno,
date partv, representing the latter interest
bat connected in principle aud In character
with the former. The effect Of this separa.
ton ia for the moment very unfavorable TO the
Reformers, asit deprives them ofthose auxilia.
ries, in which they wonld naturally look for their
ab'estleaders; * ifthe administration of govern
merit were not now subject to any particular
embarrassment. the strength thus impaired to
ID might be decisive against them. But if the
present crisis Of national distress and financi-
al difficulty shuuld produce any conseuuences
tending towards public commotion, and like
ly to irrtate the people still further against
their rnlerS, this separation would he eminent
" nnfavornble TO the latter and indeed to both.
The wider the breach between the parties the
more violent would he the eVtremities resort
ed to. Having community either of feeling or
interest. they wouid wage an exterminatiug
be the death of freedom and even if thepeo-
pie should prevail over one set ef enemies,
they would be likely IN such period of confu.
SION ami tnInult. as has often been the case
IN similar circumstances, to fall sacrifice to
another.
The probability OF the occurrence Of such
struggle depends, az I have aleady observed.
upon the result ut the present crisis.--The Q.
vent oft, il IL should occur, would be deter
mined IN some degree by the composition OF
the two parties and the characters of their lea
ders--on which points shall enter into some
details IN my next letter.
sTNrzsI 10