Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-02-14
RICHMOND, FEB. II.
FOR THE EWQUIR Err.

his debts. and TO secure 10 himself a comfortable
maintenance for the short remnant of his DAYS was
such AZ to fill with gloomy forebodngs, and
with deep meancholy.-A great public ben efactor
tie ardent advocate of human liberty-the immor-
tai author OF the Declaration of INTERCHANGEABLE
great and successful champion of republica nisrn
the able vindicaor and asseror of American rights
the political idol OF the great body of the people
the disciple oil liberty, and the darling of phoso-
phy-the man who above all now living, has most
contributed to give to US character abroad and at
home that in the decline OF his years. asks of
his native republican Virginia, the poor privilege
OF dispensing OF his property fair price, 40 as to
enable him to pay his debts; aud bare aority is
found to sanction the leave bring bill for that
purpose. Why is this9 What strange rev o,ution
has the public mind undergone? The time has
been that this great and good man could have ex-
pressed no wish, (none would he have expressed
which did not become Li,n, J which would not readi-
ly have been accorded To him by republican Lee
gisature. But few years since and his name
- might have stood against world" Can IL be true
That The Legislature OF his own beloved Virginia.
will s,ili'' do him reverence?' Other patriots
have received such proofs eli public gratitude
Washington enriched by public inunilicence
The statute book bears testimony to this. Blu, the
other day gallant FrenchInan carried In tri-
umph through land. and the public bounty was
showered upon him. Thomas y eiferson has asked
nothing and has received nothing. When was it
That republican lips ceased to associate the names of
Washington and Jeiferson' When was it that
The latter was not regarded as mplished in the
cabinet, what the first did in the field9 Has new
feeling sprung up in Virginia along with new race
OF men! Ii 50, then have we deep cause of re-
9ret, and astonshment at the vote of yesterday
wiii cease To exist. What enormous grant from
the public exchequer is sought 10 be obtained for
this great and good man? Not one dollar is asked
Tor. lie seeks not to be mendicant on Legisla-
saivc bounty? He asks for the imposition of no
tax on the people to give him food and rairnent
lie asks the privilege Of selling his property in
such manner as viii secure the object already ex-
pressed. Now, whom will this injure? Whose
right does 1t invade, whose purse does il rob !,
Can Virginia Legislature object to a Lo,,erv
scheme? The day for the objection is gone by.-
ne statute book Is full OF examples to he contra
~. Lottery after Lottery has been sanctioned
1t has been resorted TO in aid of regular systems of
lesislation--n fur,herance OF schemes of Internal
'mprovemeat--in the endowment of literary inst
'utons-in aid OF religious associations and for an,
0tosdudt advantage. The statute book wi sustain
each OF these positions. The system is now da,lv
at work Is sanctioned by all classes of persons
ana Is found 10 be productive of no injury where
properly restricted and limited. But perhaps some
principle OF the fundamental law is to be invaded.
some great principle in the bill of rights. ,nea-
sure UNJUST In reference to the community IL IN he
adopted in behalf of Mr.. Jefferson. Eouaitv of
right and privilege is 20 be dsregardetl If this b.
50, 'he" ooss the iale vote cease TO astonish Bat
what new version is now TO be given to the tex ,
Does equality ofright and privilege mean an equal
cain on oeiai OF all to the public liberaity Does
II mean thai the coward who has deserted his stan
dlrd IN battle, has equal claim on that ,,her,,
win The brave solder-who has maintained his most
4 who is covered with wounds Then W hal bero,,.a
OF the pension list? Or does it mean that high and
o'sihSu'shed pubic service shall be placed on level
WIN The schooboy in uniform, or the striplinp in
ponucs! "hat becomes OF republican gratitude,
WY 'hat statue IN tile capitol? Why that bust
Ia uie hiche! but 1t a Lottery is arsnted 20 one
II should be granted to all-non seouitur If the
posion istrue IN this case, il is true in all others
fuoic munihcence can no longer be exerted ON be-
nall OF lhe beneiactors of mankind The do,a-
tons to Genl Washington were acta of n,hlic
Toooery-and La Fayette has returned to France
WIN s'o'eh property These are the inevitable
eoho.asious 20 winch we are forced. And why
shouiu moi me same discrimination be used in the
granting OF Lotteries as in bestowine nublic boup
ties! VIM 1t be said that because a lottery sbo,ld
uosi"h'eu lot The Improvement of the James River
any o'nei great state work, that it must Decessa-
}"y oe s'sh'eu Tor The opening of Tuckaboe Creek.
or any other equally ncohsiderable ob,ect3 Shall !,
DC sd'n mat pecaase 1t Is granted TO Mr. Jefferson
'""t " H'.s "'so De granted TO every in the COM
'ho"Wed'b. Let any man tell over the DAVIS of bis
ser'iee-iet him point to long list of acts promo
i've Oh human liberty, which he shall have accom-.
piisned--iet HIM number sixty one years of arduous
pubic employment, then will he stand ON n foo,;n,
Oh sq"ai'y win Mr. Jefferson, g. ne, too, NAV have
i,o"ery 'ut as well might the soldier OF YES
""o hau never seen the musket's flash or
~ I',''oh roar, demand pension because
Inc wounded veteran bad received one az snv pYi
yate citizen, whose life was unmarked bs an,
puohc blessing, demand Lottery. berauss Nj
Jene' sun had mad that privilege extended 10 him.
Lei no nah OBJECT then TO pass the bill which will
snoruY peTeported upon the ridiculous pre,ex, ,b,
Vioia9a the bill OF rights. The people of Viz
gnu" WIN understand this much better and fearful
Ie'p'h:'o'y awaits the republican who shall op-
pose h'nseli TO The relief asked for Nor viii 7
believe that the federasts of the bouss ,,;lI orr
themselves 70 be influenced on this occasion. bv
party Keeling or "reminiscences of the mast Tbay
VIII pursue course of becoming uag,a,;,,;,r.
Ihey VIII look to The well marked services ~ A.
Jefferson; His public life is at an end: parry feel.
ing WI" not DE permitted to break in upon The shade
o. ~ privacy or to disturb the tranquility of his
old age. All will unite in according to him the
sppelation OF great and distinguished bencfac,or
OF the human family
Ii MIR. Jefferson had been reduced IN the Macao
sity OF making this application bv reason NJ ,it,
ana eA"aVasah' course OF liying-if he had moved
through me country In style of gaudy magni6
cence' ana squsndered his substance in show and
p"due, WY mem indeed, might an objection be
formed an the manner of his life to o,sn,i,s, tho
boon asked for. But the reverse of ali ,b;s = d.
fact, and we are left at no difficulty to ascertain
the cause OF his embarrassment Elevated "a the
highest Oiche in the temple of fame raised bv his
great talents and distinguished actions 10 the jofi
est pinnacle, Monticello has been visited by eyerv
foreigner oil any distinction whose foot has touched
our shores while sort of an holy piIgrinage had
been pe'iolneu 'hi'hcr by almost countless thou
e..tHc