Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-10-10

reer, ale and peaceful, and domestic, in contra
distinction to course of hazard and peril flowing
from wild and ambitious schemes, which evidently
comprehend too large an expansion offoreign poll
| cy TO be consistent with the essential maxims OF
freedom from enangling alliances; his adminisira-
ton OF the powers OF the government with sin
gle eye to the constitution, ought alone 10 gain
him the proudest distinction. In all respect, he
presents usa pure and chas'e model: without os
tenation, and under the simplest forms of society
he filled the chair OF state with u5can grandeur
uniting TO the polish of modern cv,y, the digni-
ii-d simplicity which marked The manners of vr-
tuous antiquity, his department and personal
! rage, eminently filled the station of Chief Magis-
trate OF a Republic; it threw sllendor over
this high official station, well by he noble
!ceptious it inspired of the dignity of form OF
government, as by the jus, dsdain of the pageant
~ of the other foTnie.
Philosophy, since the days OF the good old
Marcus Antoninus, the hes, Emperor which Rome,
or perhaps the world ever saw, had never held a
station elevated in the political affairs of
Although her province was often 10 form the minds
OF Kings and Enperors, and In numerous instances
to shine through the nobes deeds of patriotism the
associate of statesmen and commanders vet il war
not often her fortune to be placed al the helm OF
government. In the il.uslrous instance drawn
from antiquity, history has assigned her the fares
proudest page; and it may be nationally predicted
that the example which annals will afford thro'
the character of Thomas jefferson, will form the
nsbes theme, in reco ding the Transactions ot>our
luminous ma ionaI history. Of Lord Chatham, II
was said by distinguished delineaior of his char
aCter
- Clarum at venerabile nomen
0entihns, ct multum n'strsn quod psoderat uiLi.
1t Chatham, whose administration was checkeT.d
with good and evil, ~bo overthrow the corrupt
atninis'i alton OF Walpoe, by appealing 20 the
democratic spirit Of the English people, who reused
but momentary enthusiasm, and lett ; the iruh-
OF administration deb, ui more than seventy
millions--,f his fame is deemed SO proud a.d
grand rs to fill the noble conceptions of his betu-
tidl Classic quotation, in what language shall admI
ration speak of Thomas Jefferson Bu j. is not
necessary TO take from the noble brow C.. Chatham
a wreath with which genius has adorned it; his
principles were grand, and his lofty mind impaired
even the dignity OF Royalty in the scale of compa-
rative worth. A citizen of the American Repub-
lie, whilst claiming for the immortal Jefferson I'll
the praise conched III his noble portrait of antiqu-
~, Will not dispute the title OF this iusrious
er OF the wing principles OF our revolution to fame
or a viE;uous renown.
The character OF MIR. Jefferson forms a proud
theme tor euogy; and regarding his principles, 30
pure, yet ration - easily reduced practice, and
presenting the broadest and noblest for midi
vidu"l liberty and public prosperity, Just eulngy
VIII ever oe replete with instruction.; and il be-
comes the highest prerogatye of the Republicans as
a body ofmen, who profess to vener ate those prr-
cipies, 10 re-organlze their party upoE his doc
and practice say, ii Is their highes: PREF ogative!
IN comparison with this no be privilege which now
Offers itself str;kingly necessary and opporrune
The loss OF power ought not TO be thought OF.
hsve always viewed their peculiar tenets as beau
litnlly Iustrstelby Mr.. Jeifersons administration
ana IT Is believed that no admni lration since the
federal government went into operation, has ever
produced such happy effects. 1t mas now in our
country, the reputation of pure and uninixed adj
mntration of the federal powers; no positive evil
i recollectel as proceeding from it, and wide
extern of felicitou> operation over the private and
public interests of the country, forms the most
cogent argument Tor recurrence 10 its princ-
pies.
The writer of this essay has no feeling OF bitter
ness towards the present administration; but united
to his country by the of personal interest and
affection, anu believing there Is much TO reprehend
IN the scenes which have distinguished the late
Presidential Election, and discerning much that is
unsound in the public measures which emana'e
from the council board of the President; he has
chosen TO found his course of argument upon the
distinctive character of Thomas Jefferson as po
ih'cian. Without meaning TO foresiall public
curry Into the great and C. ilica question, who ought
10 be bi ought forward by that pure and pho- oph-
sient republican party? he has resorted to The
character and principles OF MIR. Jefferson the
hest elementary body of politics. The character
oil this IluStrous ornament OF species, has
OF the comely form OF virtue in il, than is usually
beslo~ ed W on great men. In him there is found
united, what IS truly vrtuous, with all the sublime
and agreeable appenda.eS Of virtue; and as it is a
position assumed by some of the finest writers
upon the republican form OF government, that vir-
tue Is peculiarly necessary TO this particular stTuc-
tuie of human society: tie propri.ty of taxing this
eminent example the basis oil political argu-
men, intended 10 point The understanding 10 the
only redeemng principle of oui government, is oh
vious; willis, it will form subject OF additional
enquiry, how far this idea of the greater necessity
OF virtue in republic, is consistent with the po-
ucai structure of our government.
This opinion of the necessity of virtue in a re-
public, advanced by the celebrated President
Montesquieu, was also deeply iBculcateJ by the
philosophers Of antiquity and formed the ground
OF decision, adopted by ArIstdes, when he admitted
the benefits comprehended in plan conceived by
ThenIis:ocles for the destruction of his cuuntry's
enemies, but condemned IL unjust. IL will be
come necessary alsv, in this subsequent enquiry 10
present the ancient republics, with the mperectioDs
OF their underlined constitutions, animated, how
ever, by noble zeal for liberty, and upheld and
adorned with general simplicity of manners, and
the singular instances of illustrious devotion to
public happiness on the part OF dividuals, in
point of comparison with the American Repub-
lies, with their finely finished forms Of government,
Boosting origin no essfortunse and distinguish
ed, than patriotism, when uniting the illusirious
deeds OF virtue with the highest efforts of genius.
IL was from view OF the ancient repubcs, and
their splendid operations for great length OF
time, that men OF such genius, the President
Montesquieu, & the no less celebrated Able Nab