Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-01-26
PRELIMINARY REMARKS.


In the last No. the writer in,imated his ;nten-
ton OF taking view OF Mr.. Adams's course of
political conduct, whilst acting the office of Sc
cretary OF State, under Mr.. Monroe's adminis,ra-
lion. in doing so, the writer was DESTROYS of
having reference directly to official papers, and has
been delayed Tor some time from pursuing his re-
marks, by attempts 10 obtain them. He regrets
that he has failed in these attempts, because he
wished TO have quoted tie identical words of ZACH
| actor In the scene. which he deemed tn be most
worthy OF remark. He is now compelled TO have
Recourse chiefly to his memory; AMI to give only
very general sketch OF transactions which deserve
much more particular consideration
MIR. Monroe's administration commenced the
lth of March, 1917. The war with G. Britain
having terminated in the Spring OF 1915 and the
| European war having also terminated before that
time, MIR. Monroe found the IS in profound peace
and II seemed - every rejecting man in the COM
munity, that 1t was scarcely possible for automatic
ingenuity itself, 10 interrupt the harmony of the
| U. ). with foreign powers Mr. Monroe also
found the constitution of the U. S. in full vigor
and energy -venerated by the American people.
and confidently relied upon as the palladium of
state rights, as well as OF the rights and liberties of
individual citizens. His predecessor, Mr.. Madison
under It's banners. had passed through war with
one OF the strongest powers in the world aud With
the exception OF some slight unnientional scaritica
tons, proceeding from the war, had left the con-
1
the wise and patriotic exercise Of his constitutional
veto upon two bills, which had been unadyisetily
passed by Congress, IN disregard Of constitutional
provisions, ne asserted and enforced the sovereign
dominion OF the Constitution, over legislative usr-
pauons. The one bill for Incorporating religious
socety--the other, bill for internal
The veto on the one, gave additional security to
religious freedom: The veto ON the other. for
time, gave additional security to both stale and
individual rights. For the virtuous and indepen-
dent exercise OF his constitutional power in these
two most important respects the writer takes this
occasion TO offer TO MIR. Madison individually his
most grateful and fervent thanks; and thinks him
justly entitled to the thanks OF the present and of
all future generations If ever The u States were
blessed with the complete and undislurbed epioy-
ment OF Haley on days, IL at the period of Mr.
Monroes installation into the presidential Office
NOR mas any incident occurred, from that moment
TO this, that ought for instant 10 have inter
rupted the fHll Fuition of the political cain and
felicity, which seemed to have been awarded them
as u by special interpretation of Providence. So
ar from u, that two great events have since occur
red, which seemed also to have been provideutiaIly
nterposed Tor extending the moral influence of the
fundamental laws OF the u. States, throughout the
whole civilized world. The successful rev outions
OF the South American and Mexican States, and
the adoption OF American institutions as models
{ Tor the formation Of their own governments and
that OF single individual, was attended with such
5 circumstances as gave 1t an eclat throughout the
/ civilized world. Ii was perfectly Unique Such
spectacle never before was, aud perhaps ney er
will again be exhibited to an admring world. 1t
was visit OF devotee 10 Liberty, forty years after
his philanhropic efforts hal contributed to her
triumph, over the most CALLING de.potsm III.
found her still seated in her benignant throne sur
rounded with all the varegated blessings which her
n dominion over despotism had spread over a wide
e extended country. He was received by her mil
q lions OF enamoured yotares, will, one spontaneous
aud unanimous burst OF affection and gratitude. 1t
was the magnificent and glorious exhibition of a
great nation, pouring forth the best feelings of the
heart to single individual for the blessing il en-
Joyed at his hands, III connection with mpariots
J, now no more seen. II served 10 set a new value
upon liberty IN the eyes Of all behoIdine and adj
hiring nations, and could fail TO give additional
e force TO the moral influence OF American insti,u.
e TONS. How, then, 10 this sublime and fecitous
!, state OF things, does il happens that the sound n,
porteDtous crisis IS heard? That liberty herself
is In dsi ger OF being dethroned and despotism en-
g throned in her place? That the liberty of the peonl,
Is attempted TO be converted into the liberty of the
o government, which is power absolute, and unImi,
o ed, pasied IN nothing by the will of consti,u-
n enisf The alarming tale is plain, and easily told
but the danger lies in not reading and consderin,
4 1t WELL and in not justly applying its eventln
= moral.
il According TO the fashionable oriental STYLE q
at thinking, OF writing and OF speaking ex,end;n,
o itself even into the gravest state papers-i, W
DC universally said, at the Time of Mr. Monroe,s i,
~ staiiatIon there was not speck discernble upo
the political horizon. 1t splendidly transnar
en, under the blessed influence OF the genial Amer
n can sum- which our fathers had ushered forth from
re TIE west, to illuminate and to Bless not only Tn
h. Western, but the whole Eastern bemisphere I
was the East e1f, a.
political light, in exchange for ornamental scien
D. fytc hghf AT length, by microscopic diplomacy
little speck was discovered upon this transplen
. dent political horizon; but II was considered az
mere Hitting transient cloud, that would pass
d. in moment, without any observation worth tn
l. poltIciaas iegard. 1t was discovered that certain
freebooters were interrupting the revenue at IN,
n port Of St. Mary's, and that it was necessary Z,
Al put an end TO this interruption. The only CONNIE.
tent means TO elect this end, which could be de
vised by the ingenuity OF the administration, con-
listed IN the forcble seizure, and military occupa
ton Of the Spanish Amelia Island--Ssain tber
e being IN a State OF peace with the u s. This &c.
Termination was Immediately carried into effect
without the sanction OF any law whatever "a tb,
writer believes, and in direct violation as he thinks
8 of the plainesi principles of international law
y This little speck, this transient cloud did not
'f dissipae quite so quietly and unceremonousy a.
" was at first expected. After holding this norton
OF territory, belonging TO a nation at peace with
the U. States, under military government for some
e months, the House Of Representatives called 10,
: information, TO the kind Of government (which
m had been established over Amelia Island, then be-
II longing 10 Spain. The President replied in sun
!, stance, that u ioGs a military government en-
e trusted 10 Col. Bankhead and Commodore -
T. for its execution. This reply appeared perfectl,
to have satisfied, what turned out TO be either m,
:. idle curiosity or unmeaning call Of the III. Of X