Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-03-02

only have one electoral voe and that would scarce
" be an object of sufficient magnitude to produce
such consequences.
This idea of exciting the People to violence on
the Presidential election, is founded on absolute
inattenton to the situation of our country, and
would be scarcely excusable in youth at Col |
ege, in his sophomore year. / will appeal 20 tue
experience of every member this floor, and
ask whether he has ever heard of solitary instance
of popular outrage on this subject! NO, SIR In
ten presidential elections, we have gwen pract-
cal refutation of the unfounded imputatlons that
have been cast upon the republican form OF go
vernment in this respect. will venture TO assert
and speak in the hearing OF those who have
been eye witnesses OF the fact, that single paria-
mentary election for Westminster has produced
more popular excitement and violence, and outrage
than all the presidential elections since the ioun-
dation of our Government. No American citizen
has ever felt the slightest apprehension OF outrage
in the exercise of his elective franchise The very
humblest among US, marches to the polls with more
confidence and security than even the prime MIN
| lister of England. have a friend IN my eye VINO
witnessed a Westminster election-and II was re-
| garded as extraordinary instance oil rashness'
even in Lord Castlereasb minister remarkable
for his nerve, to vote for the ministerial candidate,
in the state OF outrageous excitement that existed
But, that minister, after giving his vote was
under the necessity of consulting his own personal
safety, by skulking in his robes OF Office preciPi-
! lately from the husiings, like felon. And YET,
the turbulence of republics, and the danger OF popu
lar violence, the perpetual themes OF declama-
| ton, applicable to this country, where every
thing around us looks more like the calm OF DEATH
! 1t is idle to talk about popular violence. There
is not Nation on the face OF the globe, whatever
may be its form of government that is so complete
! ly exempt from such an mputaon
/ What, sir, has been the fact as exemplified in
the occurrences of the recent election? However
we tber
! it, believe few will dispute the fact, that the
popular favore, the undoubted choice OF the ma
| tisn not chosen by this House This House
disregarded the will of the People; and yet they
have exhibited indications Of outrage, bat have
borne their disappointment in the very spirit oil
philosophical resignation They have submitted,
az they ought to have submitted. to the Cons,itu-
tional authority, with the stern dignity OF treemen
who understand their duties, and know how to
Vindicate their rights. In any other country, II
military CHEZ tdin had been the object of popular
| admiration and confidence, and defeated by the
legislative body, some Cromwell or Bonaparte
would have stepped forward, and dissolved the
contumaeious assembly, and erec,ed 4 ,l.cne oil
usurpaon on its ruins.
But, sir, not only maintain that the People are
exempt from The charge of violence, but that there
is tendency to carry the feeling of indifference
to public affairs TO dangerous extreme. From the
peculiar structure and commercial spirit Of modern
for the acquisition of wealth, the eager pursuit OF
gain predo,nnates over for the affairs
Of the Republic. This is perhaps our national
foible. Wealth is the object of our idolatry, and
even liberty is worshipped in the form of property
Although this spirit, by stimulating industry, is
unquestionably excellent in itself, yet it is to be
apprehended that, in period OF peace and tran
qullity, it will become strong for patriotism,
and produce the greatest OF national eyils--popu-
lar apathy.
We have been frequently told, that the farmer
should attend 10 his plough, and the mechanic to
his handcraft daring the canvass for the Presiden-
cy. Sir, more dangerous doctrine could not be
inculcated If there is any spectacle from the con-
temptation of which would shrink with peculiar
horror, it would be that of the great mass OF the
American People, sunk into a profound apathy, on
the subject of their highest political interests Such
a spectacle would be more portentous to the eye
of intelligent patriotism, than all the monsters OF
the earth, and fiery signs of the heavens, to the eye
| of trembling superstition. II the People could be
Indifferent the fate of contest for the Presiden-
cy, they wsud be unworthy of freedom. If were
to perceive them sinking into this apathy, would
even apply the power of political gaynsm, ii
such power could be found, to rouse them from
their fatal lehargy Keep the people quiet! Peace!
peace! Such are the whispers by which the Peo-
pie are TO be lued to sleep, in the very crisis of
their highest concerns. Sir, you make a soil
tude, and call peace Peace! IT'S death. Take
away all interest from the People, in the election
OF their Chief Ruler, and liberty is more. What,
sir, Is to be the consequence! If the People do
not elect the President, some body must There
is no special providence to decide the question
Who, then, is to make the election, and how will
it operate? You throw general paralysis over the
body polite, and excite a morbid action in part-
cular members. The general patriotic excitement
Of the people, in relation to the election of the
President, is essential 10 the health and energy
OF the political system circulation of the blood
is TO the health and energy Of the natural body.
Check that circulation, and you inevitably produce
local inflammation gangrene, and ultimately death.
Make the People Indifferent destroy their legiti-
mate influence and you communicate morbid
violence the efforts of those who are ever ready
to rme the control Of such affairs the MERGE
nary ntrguers and interested office hunters of the
country. Tell me not, sir, OF popular violence!
Show hundred political factionsts- men who
look to the election OF a President, as the means
OF gratifying their high their low ambition and
/ L will show you the very materials for mob,
| ready for any desperate adventure connected with
| their common fortunes The reason of this extra
ordinary excitement is obvious. 1t is a matter of
self interest, Of personal ambition. The people
can have no such motives. They look only to
the interest and glory of the country. There was
a law Of Athens which subjected every citizen 10
punishment, who refused to take sides in the polii-
cal parties which divided the Republic It was
founded in the deepest wisdom In political affairs,
the vicious, the ambitious, and the interested are
always active. II is the natural tendency OF yir-
tue, confdiDg in the strength of it's own cause, to
/ be inactive IL hence results, that the ambitious
few will inevitably acquire the ascendency, in the
conduct of human affairs, if the patriotic many the
! ppp nIp not Gir IafaI a