Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1819-12-03
(Frcm TIE National Inteiiisencer
10 THE EDINBURGH REVIEWERS.

CONTINUED.
Ii The considerations already urged are
deemed insufficient for thai purpose,
there are others relating TO us,to you, aud
To the Christian world, whose influence il
Will he dlfh cuit ia resist.
have already Laid before YOU one fact
which distinguishes the people of Ame-
RIGA from all The people of modern and
indeed OF ancient Europe, aud gives them
high claim 10 respect for wisdom aud
for virtue. The great national act 10
which allude, was preceded by the revo.
inlion of our conduct in which history
has said enough aud 10y the adoption,
on the part of thirteen separate staies, Of
forms oil government, IN every instance
embracing principles of civil and reIigi-
Gus liberty, which few OF your pliiloso-
piers have advocated, and none of your
statesmen have prdc,ised. These princi-
pies have been transiust'l into the con.
siiiuiou OF Ike United States, by which
the government is expressly prohibited
from granting titles of nobility, and from
making any law respecting the estab-
ils!iHcnt OF religion, or impairing, in any
degree, the freedom of speech or of The
press. Religious persecution, which has
tllled Europe for centuries, and down 10
thus very moment, with terror and crimes,
ed forever: and the first movement of
uSurpailon, or Of fdc,iouS opposition, IL
announced by The press, in every form
OF Reproduction, TO every nhabitant Of the
Union. Are these things of no value i'm
The estimate of Tie character Of nations
Was there ever q country, except our
own, III which the Chief Magistrate
speaks, exuItIngly, Of That manly and
independent spirit, which the people dis.
play, aud without which, no institutions,
however pure III then principles. eau be
long sustained
am in truth, but little disposed TO say
much ofmy cOunlrymeD. Lei their deeds
speak for them. But will not forego the
satisfaction Of stating circumstance
which, though perhaps known To you, is
not generally known. After the revolu-
iioDary war, the States, whose territory
extended far into The western country,
AMI, IN some Instances, 10 the Pacific
Oeean, made voluntary surrender 10 the
general government, forilIe general good.
oil millions of acres ofvaluable land, now
the residence of millions Of brave and
intelligent men, aud destined fo be the
residence of countless millions more
This surrender, y on will permit me 10 re-
'nind you, was made principally by the |
Sldve-hOldIng slaies. Is there nothing in |
ihIs which indicates wisdom aud magma |
ni.nIty OF the highest order
| know full we'll HAT where wisdom and |
rmae are, humanity will be with them.
bui cannot agree that the character of |
my conHIryWen, Tor humanity, strongly |
InpracIied as il Is by you, shall rest on |
ne rtciilude OF this proposition. | trust,
therefore, that you will not charge me |
wIil gasconading,' when say, that.
during l"e late war, our land and naval |
forces displayed degree Of humanity |
Which, II possible, surpassed their bra
very. During the whole course of the
war, not enc dct of cruelty vas perform
Ell, ana the iish feeling and humanity"
OF Tue American troops are atlested. moi
only by Nj. Hall, whom sou quote, but
DY ndny OF your ca tive and wounded
cohu'ri men, who did honour TO them
se'VeS, by their public and reiterated
u kn0"lcdgements. Of The conduct of
nr troops, aud Of The barbarian order
nndrF wlIlch they acted on the Potomac.
! sa5 nothing. Are taey not written i'm
lhs Exposition Of the character and
conduct OF tile War" Of which, from po-
iiisy o. from better motive, no notice
HAS q been taken OF your side Of the
Atlantic ?
9 ntlemen: have quoted your own
words; With respecf 10 tie American
troops. Dij il not occur 10 YOU. that
men "ho obiaintd such praises in Tie
hi,'si oi VA !rOJH those WHOM they had
Inei 80 "dtiir, ougHt not 10 be- stigma
lsed VITA the humbic cpiihcts which