Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1823-08-22
RICHMOND, AUGUST %, i825.
FOR THE ENQUIRER.
FOUR LETTERS
10 The People Of Me United States,
BY A FELLOW CITIZEN.

! The enemies of Mr. Crawl have not been
wanting IN sagacity TO discern that the pub
lie sentiment was fast settling down upon the
man whose political principles cOntOrmed most
To those great republican tenets resulting from
the agltations Of 1913, and which may be- said
Ia form the second moral revolution of this
government. That struggle, like the rtvoln-
tionary war, is calculated to cndcar its asso-
ciates tn one another. Their cause was great,
their disiculties greater, and their exertions
triumphant No wonder then that sentiments
sPrlnSlnS from so warm a contest should be
marked with such force of feeling and endure
SO long +; no wonder that the party are unwi.-
ling To part with power so honestly won, and
so necessary to perpetuate the blessings OF our
Invaluable consultations. OF all the indyidu.
ais, whose claims for the chief magstracy are
before the nation, none are so conspicuous
for the possession of the principles referred to.
AZ Mr. Crawford. Hence the alarm which
exists, and lis consequent stIivings To arrest the
progress of the public and growing predispo-
sition in his favor, by the charge Of federalism
la discussing this point, it is fortunate for
the secretary, that we have but solitary argu-
ment To meet. Ii is not contended by the
worst enemy he has, or maintained by the
most maievOent defamer of his character that
there is any other fact or incident of his life.
10 charge him with this crime, except the IN
ference drawn from what has been repeatedly
denominated the augusta ADDRESS,
That the argument may be known and not
misunderstood, | will make statement of IT
before we proceed. On the Cd July 1913, the
young men of Augusta, among whom was
Mr.. Crawford then but twenty six years old,
addressed John Adams, President of the u
nlted States, exclusively on The subject of our
differences with the French government, stat
Ing the insults we had received and the out
RACES we had borne, and that if the President
deemed it eXpedicnt to redress the one or
chasiise the other they, the young men.
" with the most unlimited confidence in the
lirmness, justice and wisdom of his admins
traton, pledged themselves To him and TO their
ieliow-ctiZens that they would be ready at
the call of their country 10 defend, what was
dearer TO them than their lives-her liberty
and laws" Now here is the argument That
on the Cd of July, 'S3, the distinction of par
ties was clearly ascertained that all the great
leading measures, defining the dividing line
between them bad TRANSFERRED; that they were
fully known To Mr.. Crawford that John A
dams being AT the head OF the federal admin
istration, 10 express a confidence in that ad-
mlnistratlon, was proof OF federalism: Mr.
Crawford expressed such confidence therefore
Mr.. Cra wfnrd WAS fedrralist.
Without stopping To shew that the major
pan VI lIiiS az - udhCN dSSutlllilOn,
thatits most important features have not been
proved, TO wit, that at the time mentioned the
distinction of parties was ascertainpd, that the
measures separating them had transpired ard
were known 10 Mr.. Crawford, all of which
are contrary TO the fact as have and can be
satisfactorily shewn Without cOntending for
a construction, warranted by the subject mat
ter and whole tenor of the address. and iusiifi-
| ed 10y every rn'e of fair and candid criticism,
that the confidence expressed and pledge given,
could only relate TO that part of the presi-
dents administration connected with French
| aIlahs, because as nothing else was mentioned,
nothing else could be meant Without enter
ing into chronological detail of the principal
events of Adams administration, which every
man of any reading or research can make for
himself, and If he has judgment unwarped
| by prejudice or uDtainted with malice can pro
perIy apply, shall come more immediately
| to what conceive fair and entire REPUTATION
of this most hinsy charge.
LIST. There is not human being now living
that can point to the fact or circumstance, the
one under discussion excepted, which will
attach the slightest suspicion of federalism to
MIR. Crawford in any part of his life there is
not the human being that has ever lived, who
in any of the long, eager and warm political
contests in which he has been engaged. has
ever dared To insiHuate such charge and
can any one believe that a fact so important,
SO well understood, so easily established
should have existed, and not single cotempo-
rary of Mr.. CrawfOrd's has survived TO tell
the tale 3?
2. Georgia is the theatre upon which Mr..
Crawford has acquired all his distinction, here
all his acts have been observed, and no man
surely ever had more vigilant centinels, and
yet there IS not Georgian, even friend or
! 1, 4:
been, in any period of his life fcderalist on
The contrary, some OF the most intelligent and
uniform federalsts of the state, and those who
are now, and always have been, politically OPP
posed to Mr.. Crawford have hOnorably and
ingenuously testified in his favor against the
charge.
g. Federalism has never had so able and
SO devoted an advocate as VIM J. Hobby
! Esq No man hasa more honest aud ire
prOachable private, or open and consistent
public character, than this gentleman. No
man has ever defended the Cause Of federalism
with more zeal or ability, written more, or
more to the purpose in IFS behalf This indi-
vidual with all the powers Of his mind, which
are by no means ordinary, and the influence OF
bis then popular press, supported john Adams
to The day of his political death and indicated
his measures ever since. This individual was
in Augusta at the time of the address, well
acquainted with all the occurrences of the
day, with an eye constantly upon passing
events, nothing escaping his sagacion5 peue-
tration yet this individual, who from the los,
Of bis Office by the triumph Of republicsnism
has strong reason to recollccl its advocates
and who is and always has been opposed 10 Mr.
Crawford on that very ground, and is now
anxious to defeat his expectations, openly
ayOws and publishes chat Mr.. Crawford never
al