Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1823-09-02

oe The surprise and modification Of the good
people of the com nonweaiih Ia find then
extreme ignorance of their own Intentions
For not a few, supposed they would vote for
'lr. Crawford. They lsoud easy folks did
not dream of opposition. Least of all could
they suppose Mr.. Adams The exclusive" ia
vorlte of Virginia. That she could turn with
cold and a'eried eye from the claims of
Crawford and of Clay, those generous and
distinguished citizens, in every respect lat
leasi) equals To MIR. Adams-to smile on the
offspring of that blind misguided parent, whose
vaunt il was to humble Virginia." 10 grind
her TO dust and ashes" Ii is impossblc-it is
as credible, as that the eagle should desert her
young, for the brood of the vulture.
These knights OF the Vile and hamlet are
the most waspish of all the 50 irritable tribe"
Woe! to the unhappy wight who presunies
Ia cross their path--ihe ire of little men is
Observation-Disclosures of Achilles is lullaby in
comparison.
Sterne gives an amusing illustration lie
describes dtsart, who WAS at the opera, sur
rounded by beings two feet aud half higher
than himself. He suffered inexpressibly on
all sides but the thing which incummoded
him most was tall -corpulsnt German,
seven feet high who stood between him, and
all possibility of his seeing the actors, and the
stage. The dicayfwas exceedingly anxious TO
push himself forward--it is the way of the
world, and natural enough. We all like to
" he Jogging when our boots are green" The
unieeing German would not give up his place
The d,oarf might as well have been at the
rock of ST. Helena. He could stand il no lon
ger. La the transports uf his fury, he cursed
him by his Gods, and vowed il he did not get
out OF his way--he would cut off his long
queue with his knife. The German was unwil
ling tn discuss this matter, he looked down
coolly, aud told the dtoarf he was welcome-if
he could reach IL.
So too, fan editor, by chance. for merit is
nothingl by reason of the blindness of the
people, or from any fortuitous cause is enabled
to obtain some little rank in public estimation,
to acquire some little reputation for his pa
per and a corresponding influence on polit-
cal questions--if in fine, he shoots up into
something like gross German seven feet high,
and nnhapplly stands in the way, he is imme-
datrly ordered to stand aside, on pain of hav-
ing his long queue cut off.
All this Is very well among editors they are
used To these matters and.perhaps like them
and if they would confne the sport TO them
setDes-with all my heart-they might teazc,
and bite and worry each other ad libitum, I'M
I'll like the famous Kilkenny cats, they had
eat each other up 10 the tips of their tails.
BGdingge apart, why is this fatal question
inhibits all candid and liberal discussion P
why are all the charities of our nature that
enJoIn mutual forbearance, and respect, volat-
ed and extinguished? " Are we not men and
brethren Z" Are we not connected with a
common country, by the ties of I" a mutual
interest and a mutual honor!" Shall the press,
the great bulwark ofpublic liberty, happiness,
and virtue, run counter 10 the noble ends of its
institution Shall ii scatter nothing but jea
lousies, and chickering's, and heart burnings !?
Shall no pen be drawn in this unhappy con
troversy, but it must Immediately he precipi
tated into this whirlpool? Shall no guarded
circumsre'tion of language, added to the
clearest inclination of avoiding this d" veXed
question:" not protect writer on collateral
point from imputatiOns wherein little trouble
Is taken To ascertain truth, and less care to
express il in decent terms?
With these feelings, il is not without surprize
that the writer feels himself under the neces
sity at answering an article which appeared
"Ihe FirSinlan," paper printed In Lynch
burg.
Being ignorant ofthe existence of such pa
per, il was not possibly in his power to have
intended offence tn its editors 1t was impos.
sible, however. 10 repress some merriment at
percelvInS the indignant sensibities that had
been so nnwittingly aroused.-Being very
Unexpectedly lugge d into this affair." il NAV be-
proper to state the facts
The writer contributed an article in the
Enquirer some weeks past under the signature
appended to this. II was in reply to Wythe
or Pendleton.
The single purpose in view, was to rPmon.
sirate against the cruelty and injustice OF
dragging into this discussion and loading with
obloquy, two gentlemen, one of whom could
not by any earthly possibility have the remot
psf connection with th., cnI,iect nd
tain'y ofthe most amabe aud beloved personal
character.
Had the writer committed himself by any
effort 10 advance the interests of Mr.. Crawford
an effort rendered here happily unnecessary by
the composed and tranquil complexion of pub
lie opinion Had there fallen from his pen a
syllable in derogaiion of the paramount claim
of Mr.. Adams Had a doubt been intimated
as to his infallible judgment-caim temper
and perfect exemption from sectional feelings
Had any mlstrust been expressed as TO his
unmarried and disinterested repubcanism,-
his uniform admiration of the revolution ui
'98, his ardent, constant, and uninterrupted
support Of MIR. Jelf;rson's administration
Then indeed, the writer would have been
| properly chided for his narrow and obnoxious
opinions.
The editors ofthc Virginiap have acquitted
themselves with candor, and Courtesy that
deserves peculiar acknowI, dsment
| First for their courtesy :: Mason is intro
duced in tbr following terms. who have
appeared on the side of the exclusive republic
can .,IIttdn The .9postate, Mason, and Old
borough, = worthy trio! The two first com
nunIchilons from the same pen, native oI
Georgia SO pen is native Of Georgia
Messrs. Editoro,l and the latter from mar
who by his own showing is unworthy of Gre
dit" .
Thns With an 0uosinie Ifnr the addiiinn 4