Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1823-06-14

should have INDUCED in SO much pas
sion, | consider no feeble proof Of the
correctness of my views. Mr.. Richie
may sheer about what he calls The cant
OF radicalism )" yet with all his newspa-
per monopoly, he will not be able any lon
ger to hoodwink the people of Virginia,
as to the existence OF such party in op-
position to the administration of Mr.
Monroe, or to the fact that he has CO.
operated with it in the essential objects
which it had in view, without entering
into the whole of its schemes. NV
wish is to do full justice, and with this
feeling, | cheerfully acquit Mr.. Richie
ofthe folly and wickedness of sustaining
the radical party in their views against
our navy, Notifications, military establih-
ments, and other institutions which are SO
indispensable TO the permanent welfare
OF the country, and have been raised
with so much labor and expense. He is
too intelligent and well acquainted with
not only the interests but the dispositions
of Virginia and the Union, to support
the Cobbs, the Cookies, the William ses
and the Floyds of the party, in thci
schemes of prostra,ion, at period who,
the Holy A liance stand armed against
the freedom of the world: But is ne
not Justly obnoxious to the charge OF
knowing that large portion of the rldi-
cal party were so engaged; that hey
were most bitterly opposed to the hesi-
dent, on the grounds that he woutl not
yield to their miserable views; thd they
rallied under one of his secretaries, as
the chief of their party, through whose
aid they hoped to effect their object; and
that while Mr.. Richie was perfectly
aware of these facts, he never made
the least effort to check their career, or
to sustain Mr.. Monroe against their at
tacks, but on the contrary has aided them
by rallying under the same chief, and by
representing in his paper that all was
not right with the administration, and
that reformation was probably required !?
Facts speak more emphaticaliy Than
words.
That Mr. Richie has had leading
Influence through his paper in Virginia
is not denied, and that he has so conduct
ed it that with his admirers the standing
oil Mr.. Monroe and his administration
has been seriously affected, can be denied
by no candid individual well acquain ed
with the facts. How has this happened
By what single act Of his administration
h hi u t,h
man in the slightest degree forfeited the
esteem of The citizens of his native state
If there be an act of his, ask Mr. Richie
10 point it out. He has hot yet designated
one, it we except the opinion on the
right OF Congress to appropriate money
tor internal mprovements, at which he
chances in his structures Oh my commu.
nicalion; but he will not attempt to trace
to this opinion of Mr.. Monroe the dis
like OF himself and his political assOci-
ates Of Richmond for in addition to the
fact, that he incurred their dislike long
before he gave the opinion in question, ii
may be remarked that Mr.. jefferson en-
tertained the same opinion, as he repeat
eddy approved Of bills appropristing mo-
ney for that purpose, and would if this
were the true cause, be equally exposed
to the displeasure of the Richmond party.
Why then, would again ask, does not
Mr.. Monroe occupy place in the affec-
tons in the class Of politiciansep whom l
refer! Has he departed from the princi-
Piles of the constitution or the republican
party? Mr. Richie will not venture
even SO to iBsinuate. Has be pursued
s!"em of policy not in accordance
with chose principles, or injurious to the
interests of the country? We have Mr..
Riches own declaration, which no
doubt is sincere, that he fully approves
of the policy of the administration. II
then Mr.. Monroe has adhered strictly
to principle, and has pursued the true
interest Of the country, how does it hap
pen that he is so little in favor with pc.
litical circle in his native state, whose
centre is in Richmond. That the fact
is so, Mr.. Richie will be too candid to
deny, and he will permi, me1o assign
the only reason which | can conceive
for SO strange fact, till he can himself
assign one better calculated to explain it.
The cause is to be found in the course
pursued by the Richmond Enquirer,
which SO far from giving that support to
Mr.. Monroe which he was SO Justly emit
tied to, has evinced lurking opposition
to him, which has been more or less in
Gu ed ,pto the n, indie ,,c thoo "a ,u;tn a. h ., ~,
it exercised the most influence, and it
is only in this manner that those who are
best acquainted with the case pretend to
account for the fact, that so able and vir-