Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1824-06-25

I hat the separation Of parties, SO far'frnn en-
dangerng the great interests OF the country
constituted the health and vigor of the republic.
The fatal error into which you have fallen
has marked the whole course of your admins
'ration. IL has not only betrayed you into
most Of yOuf difficulties, but has separated YOU
from many Of your best friends, and placed
you in the hands of mere preienders and time
servers. II has rendered most of your APP
pontments the theme of censure and re-
preach.
In none has there been more just cause Of
complaint than In the recent non,ination of
.Ninidn Edcsrds, "a Minister to Mexico. or
the circumstances under which his appoint
inent was made, and Of the character and
Qualifications Of those over whom he was pre-
terred, sfrall here fUrbear to speak. You, sir,
need no argument now, am very sure, TO
convince you of the glaring injustice and i'm
propriety of this illfated appointment. If you
did, It Is to be found in recent occurrences at
w ashIngtOD, and IN the marked Misrepresentation
OF the American People. They have resisted
and denounced it from one quarter Of the
Union to the other. Ii has been arrsigned in
most Of the public journals of the day, and the
nation has sealed il with their deepest repro
baton.
The question now, as it regards Yourself and
the public, is one of otonement Is this man 10
be continued or disrn,sseds That is the ques.
ton, and boldly put it to you. 1t is said;
that, strong effort is making by the Junta
around yOu, TO sustain him in your good opin-
ion, and continue him in office. Rumour has
been busy, and we are told that your deter
ninahon is fixed not to revoke his appoint
men,, al teasi, untI The meeting Of Congress. l
am alarmed at the mere possibility OF this be-
| ing realized. l am alarmed because l am in
4 L eto,
ton in which this state of things must incvita-
| bly, place you, would disarm all my resent
ment You are a Virginiam, reared among
her HIustriOus men, and at an era which EN-
dears every thing connected with it, to the
hearts of your cOuntrymen. We have con6d-
ed in you, because you belonged 10 that rem
nant OF Patriots, To whom their country Gwes
SO much, and by whom you have been, for
merry, SD much cOuntenanctd and supported.
Nor have we been unmiudful of your own
great personal services and personal merits.--
These are considerations which lave hitherto
'nauced me 10 support your election and your
administration. They are now the induce
tnents which impel me at this critical moment
to remind you Of the perilous situation in
which you are pIaced--to admonisli YOU Of
public opinIon-to entreat you to pause, and
weigh well the consequences Of retaining Ed
wards even until the meeting of Congress-
Iteration. IL there be- any necessity for this
mission, (which the appointment itself pro-
ciaimsl why should the interest Of the nation
be neglected and suffer Apart from every
party or political consideration, has not Ed
wards proved himself unworthy of your con-
iidence? Aud can You longer sustain him, in
justice to your own character, or To the rights.
the interests and the character of the nation
Indeed, sir, am sincere, when l say am
Inl IA, u 4
and authority Of your high oilice by Identify
ing yourself with this wrelched and disIonor-
ed man. You alone have the ),M authority 10
dismiss him and its exercise is the only "a
tonement which you now have il in your bow
er 10 make, and your country expects il al
your hands. The high character of our ri,b
lie fnnctiOnaries has Jays been the prd. of
an American Citizen. Their reputation, k.
the chastity Of woman, ought not to be sus-
pecfcd. Does the Chief Magistrate require to
he told a, this day, that the Representatives of
THIS great and powerful nation both at hou,e
ana abroad, ought to be men OF exalted cha
racter, and above all rtproaclI? Do You i'm
aglne that so many millions of high minded
and honorable freenien will consent that you
should send abroad, as their Representative,
this degraded and dshonored man, BECAUSE il
may be your pleasure to do So {? What were
your own opinions upon this subject some
'e" years Dack Have you forgotten tive SEN |
hment you expressed Af Richmond, shortly
alter your return as minister from London ?
beg leave to remind you of it in your own |
words" May the free and virtuous citizens |
of America, neuer repose their confidence in un-
deserving men."x How can you reconcile |
such sentiment with the appointment of
Ninian Edwards This, sir, believe me, is no
individual matter. You are not to determine
for yourself only, but for the nation. They
are Interested, and deeply too. in the result
II is no light affair of private interest but a
great public concern. repeat the niece ssity
imposed upon you by the obligations Of duty
to dismiss this man. am supported in this
by the great body Of the people call upon
youin the name of our country; that coun-
try, whom you have sworn to serve To vindi- |
cafe its high character and honor, and wipe |
OIL the stain which ] am willing to believe
you have unknosoingLy cast upon il, by his ap-
polnsment. l appeal, to your patriotism. dis
creton and justice and hope, not in vain.--
You are, know, perplrxrd and distressed
but your path is safe and honorable. Shake
on the little corps who surround you, con-
temptlbIc in numbers and despicable in abiIi- |
ties. Spun with indignation their scandalous |
attempts upon your understanding and nteg-
rl'y. Become not the instrument of imposi-
ton upon your country, to serve the base and
interested purposes of a contemplate faction.
Act with firmness and decision, and act
promptly. Gid and refresh the last days of
your administration by.this act of reiribuiive
justice. You will have the thanks aud sup {
port of all good men.