Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1823-08-22

prospects OF Dir. CraWlnrd 4; AN event | have
no doubt he desires. if it can be effected upon
open and honorable terms. Every one re
collects what Il sensation this address nc
| casloned throughout the Union, how eagerly
i, was seized To produce his downfall. G,orgia
alone remained unconccrned, because She
believed the stOryto be idle and malicious, and
too confidently Gattered herself that every
where else, a similar sentiment would pre-
vail. At the moment of this general rX-
ctcment when public opinion WAS on tipt0e,
wrought up TO the very highest degree OF
anxiety, friend of Mr.. Crawfprd's know
ing the charge to be false, relying upon
the unlmpeached consistency of his public
life, the unblemIshed purity of his private
aud moral character. and repOsnS the utmost
confidence In the candour of Major Wat
kins, addressed note 10 this gentleman, in
which he was explicitly requested To state
his knowledge of Mr.. Craw iord's political
principles at the time of the address and at
all times, either prior or subsequent To that
period" Here was an interrogatory short
general, and far from being leading ? Who
does not at once see the critical, the dangerous
and indeed dwfu! situation in which Mr.. Craw
furd's political character was placed? A con
ident appeal had been made TO the man of a II
others most likely To know his principles at
least, It would so have been urged, If the result
had been different, because he was the chairman
of the meeting. No contingency was provided
for an unexpected answer--the question was
put to a supposed personal aBd known
political enemy, connected with state party
perpetually combating his promotion, and
pursuing his prostration with the most un
wasting sOcitude. What alternative lie
manned, if the answer bad been different !?
Noue.--Mr. Crawford would have been
destroyed beyond the hope of redemption
Yet such was the honest dependence placed
upon the power Of truth and the triumph of
justice, that the hazard was submitted to,
without the slightest dread ofthe consequences.
3. Major Watkins testimony is supported by
the only two surviving associates, of Mr..
Crawford in that address, TO wit, Mr.. Barnett
and Col. Mckenzie the latter of whom is
and was at the time federalist-they have
published their positive declaration that Mr..
Crawford was not at that time or any other a
federaIist.
6. Mr.. Crawford's whole life is of itself an
unanswerable argument against this charge
lfso much stress is placed upon a solitary in.
ference, drawn from doubtful and insulated
fact, by what principle of candid reasoning
shall he be excluded from the countless and
irresistible differences drawn from whole life
of Jealous services, commanding in their in
lluence and unequvocal in THEN nature Shall
republican cause, and distinguished for the
able champions who have lent il their support
under every eXigency and in every period of
difficulty, weigh nOthing? Shall state, with
an uniiInching Ermness, in the times that
tried mems souls" aided and defended the
republican party by every possible means in
her power, now be told, that YOU have been
grossly deceived in your favorite statesman,
and instead of nurturing a republican Of the
old school for the highest honOrs of his govern
ment, you have been cherishing a federaIist
who has iusidiously glued himself TO your
credulity, and will therefore dsappoint the
proud expectation you had so much reason to
indulge, and blast the fair chaplet you had so
much right To expect ? This would be mocke-
ry indeed, and while twould beiray want
of sincerity and liberality, it would Justly pro
woke the inelfdble contempt of high minded
state.
Z. Buff all these arguments avail nothing,
and this simple single inference, like magic
spell, shall still bind him to the inex0rablp fate
which IS prepared for those upon whom fede-
ralism has ever once shed its whitening mil
dew in charity TO such an undeserved decree,
LET us he permitted to make one more effort
at eXpiation. That there were some republi-
cans at the Augusta meeting, and aided in
the preparation of this celebrated address,
think shall be able to shew in very few mo-
ments, especially if can only be allowed the
same advantage from Inference, SD earnestly
claimed by our adversares, and with which
they believe themselves TO be SO fornidably
fortified. In this self same instrument will be
found these remarkable expressions" at the
commencement of their revolution, we viewed
the French nation as engaged in glorious and
just cause the support of that political iber-
ty, which unless the soul is debased by OPP
nv 1..y or rr,v .s,Il 81.
tons or individuals will resign, but with their
lives" Again, " viewing them in this light
WE were proud ofcalling France sister re-
Pu6tic. WE gloried in calling Frenchmen by the
endearing appellation ofhotherS" Are these
federal sentiments Are these the principles,
avowed by fcderasts When did ever a
federalist view the French revolution as rio
rtous and just cause, hail the French nation as
sister republic, or call Frenchman brother.
unless he was Submissive royast and true to
hrs legitimate" sovereign (? But do not
WISH my Inslnuatlons or assertions taken for
proof listen to John Adams himself, the father
ana chiel OfiederaIsts, in answer to this iden-
tical address, at that very time, and under cold
blooded deliberations 4" 1t has been nv destiny
to differ from my teLio6 citizens in general in
opinions Concerning the Frenchrerottttion -
AS dIspensation ofprovidence, / have eper
beheid 1t with recurrence, unable how ever to
comprehend any good principles sufficient to
prodrre it, to see IFS tendency, or in. what it
would tcrminate-hut the isarH zeaE The no
tent attachment to il ealing it, for instance, a
glorious and Just cause'' " sister repubiic,' .
and Frenchmen by the eud,G ring name Of
brothers') manifested by Americans. | have
ever believed 1t to be an error Of the public
oPlploR-it was none Of our business-We
had or ought to have had nothing TO do with il ;
and nilgGys believed we were making " work