Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1824-08-17
RICHMOND, AUGUST NJ. Iss4.
roa tn. ENQUIREk.
The PRESIDENCY.

The PRESIDENCY.
The PRESIDENTIAL election does not, as many
have supposed, involve merely a preference
for one indiriduai over another. II turns up
on other. and much higher considerations
considerations not less important than those
winch animated the exeriiOns of the Republi-
can party in-tbe political struggles of 1913. II
IS true we have, at present no ercise, no siien
ana sedifion ld,cs 10 resist. But we have To
encounter the same spirit, the same extrava-
CANT love ofpowrr which imposed those obi
aus measures on the people. The political
revolution which placed Mr.. Jefferson in now
er, and brought back the administration ofour
government to just regard TO the rights of
the people, and the principles of the cons,itu-
ton, was succeeded by long political calm.
The occasional struggles of a conquered and
expiring party, served bat To remind the re-
pnbcans OF the victory they haa achieved,
and to admonish them Of the necessity Of vigil
lance and Of union. The era Of good feel
tng," commencing with the present admins
tration, s0On Oblierated the old land marks
which had so long separated the federal and
republican parties. The monster, party
spirit" was entombed; and the affairs Of the
country seem to have been conducted tcith-
out regard to party doctrines" Either from the
despair of the Federalists, or from a cunning
design that looked to quiet amalgamaiion /,
they ceased to press their policy and opinions.
And the republicans, freed from the opposi-
ton Of their old antagonists, and finding them
selves in undisputed possession Of power, soon
became careless in its exercise. The navy,
once so objectionable to them, had fought it,
self into favor. the army had covered itself
with glory in the late war, and had gained
many friends. From other causes, other oh
lec's of federal policy had become less OBJ
lectionable, and were openly espoused by
leading republicans. The powers delegated TO
the General Government by the constitution,
were soon differently interpreted by politi
clans Of the same school. The federalists, of
course, acted with that part Of their former
adversaries, whose principles Appropriated
nearest their own, and by the weight of their
numbers turned the scale in their favor.
In this manner, the republicans, once so IL
n'ted and formidable, have been, at last, divi-
ded and conquered: And new parties have
sprung mp, each claiming to be republican,
Sectional policy'and sectional feeling, so little
known and felt during Mr.. Jeff.rson's admin
Istratlon, have divided the majority OF Con-
gress INTO several parties. who respectively nd
vocate the Pretensons of their favOrites for the
presidency.
The minority, consisting of politicians of the
Jeffersonian School, ha We rallied around the
banner of Mr.. Crawford because his principles
accord more exactly with their own than do
those-of any other candidate. The two par
ties are most distinctly marked by the pro-
ceedings of Congress to the history Of which
the reader is referred for the truth of these
observations. On making this reference il
will be found that the majority in that body,
including the federalists, are the advocates of
powerful and splendid; gouernment, directed
almost exclusively by" erpediency" and the
I" general iceJfdre" in the projection 0fits mea-
sures. They are the friends Of an army & navy
OF unnecessary size of an extravagant system
Of defence aud ratification, not justified by
the resources nor the age of the nation Of a
profnsion and extravaganza in all public ex-
penditures, incompatible with the genius Of a
republic, and dangerous to the virtues of free
people. Among this party will be found a
majority of the friends of ar unequal and sp-
prrssive tariff, and of great system of " ma
tional Improvement" The public debt which
these politicians would perpetuate upon us
the vast patronage and power which they
would concentrate in the hands of the federal
government, are, in my humble opinion, OBJ
Jections OF the most serious character.
The other party, and the minority in Con.
sress, are opposed to all these brilliant schemes
of prematnre greatness. They would limit
the government to the exercise of the speci-
fed poirers confded to them by the cons,itu-
ton lessen its expenses to the lowest cent
without running into parsmony deprive ii
OF all unnecessary and pernicious patronage
hold all public officers to the most rigid &C
countabiity and inculcate on the people les.
sens OF frugaIiiy, virtue and industry leaving
every man to the enjoyment ofhis rights and
the pursuit ofhaPpiness and aggrandizement
according to his own judgment, unaided by tbs
interference OF government in bis behalf. MOI
would they in maintaining our free insti
tutions IN their native purity, be regardless o.
the dangers which may threaten them from
toithoA nor from tOithin. Justice and moder
alton, and the gradual employment Of our sur
plus means, would accomplish the one, willis
| wholesome and just laws, honestly and i'm
partially administered, could not fail to effec
the other object.
The foregoing is an impartial sketch of the
two great parties which are now contendins
for the ascendancy in the U nited States. TIL.
descriptions apply to the majorities, rather
than to the individuals of each.
The old party adhering TO its antient forms
and governed by spirit OF unanimity, have
sacrificed their personal predictions, and sup
port Mr.. Crawford, as their candidate for the
presidency. The new party, not yet consoIi
dated and affiliated, and denying the forms ant
us ages Of the old, have suffered their persona
preferences and local considerations TO divid,
them among three prominent candidates. Mr.
A.. is supported in the East; Mr.. Clay ant
Gen. Jackson principally in the Wesi. II i
however due to candour to acknowl ledge tina
sectional considerations lave induced man,
of the old a1d true republicans 10 support
each Of these gentlemen. They are also sup
ported by few misguided republicans on the
ground Of superior qualifications. But this /.
deIusion which time will dissipate. Tim,
will also disclose the political differences a
mong the candidates which have attempted