Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1822-01-17


works as come within the design of the piesent bill
wH' form Il part OF the proper military defence of the
country.
ETIQUETTE.
The Philadelphia Franklin Gazette seems
to Justify the Etiquette at Washington say
ing that the foreign ministers would fall into
"squabbles" about precedence, &c-We can
not subscribe TO this sentiment Because
their courts mt home have these distinctions,
must we have them Because, it suits the
genus of their government, does it suit ours -?
Ii they are ridiculous enough To fall out about
rank, &c. must we give countenancc 10 them
1t we do countenance them in this thing,
where shall we stop? how many other sacri-
fees may not the system of etiquette call for
The foreign ministers surely have sense e.
nough to know that ii is not suitable TO the
genius OF our country To respect such distinc-
tons-that they may dine with the President
without squabbling" about chair, sc. and
Will learn TO accommodate themselves to our
customs and manners. Leave them TO settle
tins dispute among themselves. Ii is not our
business tdntas componere Hies. Was this eti-
quette established during the days 9th. Jeffer-
son, and did we not get on very well without
1t: What President had more dignity with
SO much simplicity as that man exhibited
But The question IS not confined To foreign
ministers. Etiquette is said to prevail as To
our own oGficers--the heads of departments.
members of the Senate, of the H. of Repre-
sentatlveS, common citizens; that is 10 say,
the good people of these u. S., who being the
Foundation ofthe whole power of the govern
ment, are said To be placed lowest and treated
worse on the scale of etiquette Does the
Franklin Gazette justify this etiquette also
treating senators as better than representatives
nd hnfh trIfl
than the citizens of the land This is another
question-hut this one also depends upon an
other; what is at present the fact of the case
What IN truth is the etiquette that does prevail
at tins time in the City of Washington ? We
cannot positively ascertain-though we wish
some disIntercsted person would undertake to
furnish sketch of it.
The Boston Patriot which specially takes
Mr.. Adams under its wing, has come out with
the following defence of that gentleman
which it is but an act of Justice in us to repub-
| lish:
| Etiq"ete-A writer of letters to the Richmond En-
qnTer, who aims to he witty upon this subject iabors
hard To have Sids-hit at the Secretary of State
HIS remarks would seem TO imply that Mr.. Adams
had been the founder OF system of etiquette nj
| Washington.
This is truly strange mistake almost too strange
| tn have been uninenIiona 1t is well known, that
MIR. Adams has made hmselfmany political opponents
merely 10y disregard Of etiquette or as we should
choose TO call II, by his republican pdiRHeSS Ii was
tins republican planness, and his contempt for a IT.
sage, which Instituted invidous distinctions between
senators ana representatives in Congress, that
stoned the writing of the letter. which affords such
line play Tor the brilliant imagination of our Rich
mond philosopher.
Unfortunately however for his correctness, the
" Letter" was addressed TO the Vice President
hut TO the President, who no doubt fully satisfied
| with the republican doctrines il contained Mr. A.
dams IS the last man, who ought TO lie accused OF a
disposition 10 encourage unnecessary lo mality
remony in his official intercourse They are repur-
nant TO his very mature and il he has any fault in
tins particular, 1t IS Too great disregard of what is
called" etiquette" His honesty integrity and re.
publican painncss his strongholds in the affec-
tlons OF his particular friends as well as of the Anne
rican people.
Since writing the above, we have received
the National Intelligencer of the 18th, which
furnishes the "private letter from the Secre-
tary of State TO the Vice President of the
U. s. drawn out of its obscurity, it seems, in
consequence of the " allusiOn made by cor
respondent in the Richmond Enquirer" Ii
bears date Dec. 90, 1919, and occupies near a
column and half in the N. I.-Mr. Adams
lays down as the rule he has observed:
| AZ the commencement of each session, I have vi
stcdih presiding member of each House, not from
| 4 sense OF obligation, but OF proprety. ] have mo-
ie II my duty to pay first visits 10 any individual
member Of either House nor has it entered my ina
gnatlon that first visit was due from any member o.
either House 10 me-
He adds that Mr.. Adams has acted upor
the same principles-NIr. A. declares that h,
could " find no republican principle which
would, to my own mind, Justify me in refnsin,
to the members Of one house that which
should yield as due to the members Of ano
ther."-We shall, however, publish the Who'll,
letter.
u The Petersburg Inlegencer seems still 4
doubt the authenticity Of the article on the 10th Jan
lie says that the ord Of one gentleman is as 900
rs the word OF another gentleman that when Mr.
Jefferson himself says he has not written such
letter, we, shall believe him Ne vouch in the mos
positive manner for the article we have published
We repeat Mr. Jefferson never wtote such a letter
never put pen paper That subject aud sudiousl
ayOUis dll conversation it. Ifthis be not so. nj
affirmation is To- be believed, and honor itself is
cheat The lDfelgencer relies upon the word O
his respectable informant, That il was certainly re
ported az Columbia, letter OF the character mention
ed had heeu received from Mr. jefferson" Now
we happen 10 have the best information also FRO,
that quarter. Mr.J may lGr,e spoken IN cycy he
terms Of Mr. Lowndes--he may put that srntimer
{ upon paper II the just sentiment Of almost ever
i man u tie nation but further Than this wasnot sa
y at Columbia hy men WHO were cOnvcrsant with ll
; facts no letter from Mr.. j. p5iHi7g 10 the Pres
T dental Election relied on I; bat they did re-
upon TIC hgA opinion which hc il said 10 have q
pressed about Mr. LOwndes
= aIrf| fulf 49, aF.a II Q