Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1823-12-18

nominal conformity. From the earliest ne
rl0ds, IT has been the fatal instrument of Sc
duchon, ut treason, of tyranny. The tale
may be soon told. An inordinate thirst for
wealth aud power, prompted aspiring spirits
IN the first instance, tu pursue their objects
with indlscrctiOn; defeated by the frowns of
an indignant country. they changed their
means without reluquishng their ends they
turned patriots, admitted they were mistaken,
acknowledged that The prnple had more sense
and virtue than they had fancied. Deceived
ny these professions and devotions, the Pen-
pie aSaInlcpOse confidence in them, and con-
Ter power upon them. History tells us that
this confidence has been invariably BETRAYED.
and the power thus imprudentIy lavished,
turned To their ruin. Trust not those who
have once betrayed you. They will, whene-
yer the temptation - sufficiently strong, be-
tray you again, aud with cunning more dan
Serous, from the experience they have gained.
In the application ofthese fundamental prin-
cIples To orr actual condition, these axiums
have been cOnsCcIated:
In religious concerns. an absolute freedom
III conscience and rejection uf temporal power;
iiDerty uf the press, unrestrained in its
application 10 private persons, except by pu-
mlshment, awarded on the unanimous vei dict
of jury, for want0h aud malicious lhes and
only amenabIe, IN the same way, as ta public
men, for fragrant violations of truth
r'gid restriction of public men within the
prescribed pale of Constitutional duly;
iorbearance To lay any tax, or impose any
suIthen on the people, which is not indispen-
sable 10 their welfare and as "A necessary con
sequence. strict accountability in the receipt
and disbursement of public money plain and
simple habits la those in office economy in
thr wholr puhlic expenditures moderate ga
la!Ies Ia those III office and Il military esta-
hilshment, whether il consist Of army or navy
| solely for defence, and totally unconnecttd
with schemes of national glory or conquest,
anu so moderate In times of peace, as in no
eveut 10 ensianger the public liberties
we'll -organzrd and efficient militia;
A systematic abstinence from interfering
with the pursuits Of private labor or enterprise ;
strict Standardization orthe military 10 the
civil power;
steady Vigilance ofthe conduct of rulers
and more especially of the executive power.
a. generally prone 10 create and extend ii ga
lrunaEe and iavorliis1, always dangerous and
sometimes fatal iO liberty.
Ii - on the Observance. of these aXiOms that
the liberty aud the happiness Of u nation de-
p"Ed. Asa general principle, meu of inordi-
nate amhItinn, with many of those in pow,
are hostile to them. Bent on their own ger
sonal ACKNOWLEDGMENT, they are not satisfied
government couf.rs upon them, but aim at
monopoly of the honors and emoumrnis of
power. TO accomplish this, il becomes ueces-
sarN 10 buy up, iih the public money, or the
pubic honors, so much of the talent of the
nation rs Ia keep the great mass in subjrciion
t" The power To I've ustrprd. Hence
Inc creation ofcxpeusi,e anI splendid rel-
si"He establishments, under pIetence of ho-
mage 20 Deity;
the suppression of free discussion, by
winch their schemes would be exposed, under
III" ptsteuCe ut regard 10 truth and moral
iiy;
f'rr construction of delegated powers,
that no mr"us Of personal ACKNOWLEDGMENT
| 'd"' bee atgmctrd;
Pr"iusc taxation, that the reserV DIR of cor
rnp,on may Ice constantly foil aud overflow
| ing;
| lax accountability for public money, as
the most efficient bride for the subseryi,'ncy TO
It leader "i the great mass of collecting and
dlsbursIug officers;
| Osieutotion and 'prndor in Office, assuming
The garb "i ih. r"iIiy, and generosity, and uni
'crs4i good viii;
/ A prpdigai expenditure
! High saiarIrs, "a The merited rewards of
great talents ard Distinguished services;
| Powerful military establishments, under
! me disguise Of national glory, obrdirnt To the
vii oi their leader, aDd ready 10 pmbroi
her country with ign foe, or crush in
'ernal discomfort or resistance 10 the mandates
of power;
| dstrust and neglect of the militia, as dan
SrrOus To schemes of ambition, from their
common feeling and interest with the great
! body of The community;
Az extended system of monopoly, aud in
reference with personal labor aud enterprise,
! HAITI ..fs 81.
teii, and exercise a steady efficacy on all the
qualifications of human employment;
! military, walton and lawlrss;
An hnbltual contempt aud abuse Of those
who scrutinize the conduct of men in power.
as dictated by a restless spirit, or sordld and
narrow views;
! And, finally, an unremittcd effort 20 uphold
and nygOraie the executive patronage, by
various means, bat most of all Ivy an extrava-
CANT eulogIum Of the tnan at the head of al
| fairs, rs IncOrruptlhle in his principles, and in
| capable Of pernlclOus measures. The king can
| de- no wrong
This is the picture Of other states. No one
! doubts Us fidelity ~ In them. Believe me, il
is not altogether inapplicable to us. II is true.
! these abuses do not yei extensively exist a.
mong Ms; but the ioordinalr love Of power
aud wealth exist here as we'll as there, and
/ viii, unless vigorously and steadily checked.
\ Dp as fatal tO US ~ ~ the nations that have
/ preceded ~. This check can only be found w
/ cherlshog the principles rrcJgUzrd AS those
Of the republican, party. II is, therefore, idle,
! worse than idlr, 10 boast Of the extinction of
| 'arty. Ina free country, party IN the liberal
1 sense of the term, must ever exist. Power
sill corrupt, ambition will betray, avarice wi
'lundrr the people, unless constantly and VI
! zor0usly checked. This check exists cxclu-
| ncly in the principles Of the republican par