Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1828-02-02

tItdUIpIJilg
sin quantity aud quality at least, the party of the
Administration have, perhaps, had reason to sup
pose, that their less wise, though more numerous,
fellow citizens would be grateful for their instruc
tons and obedieut to their dictation. We are du-
" thankful for their gratuitous kindncss. But we
have already had their opinions rung in our ears
from every corner of the Commonwealth, where
Yer "two three could be gathered together in
the name OF the great object OF their earthly adora
ton. We have already had mastery and impo-
sing Address presented to our view from the mint
OF another Richmond meeting, which we have ex-
amincd with temper and an earncstness due both
TO ourselves and to that comparatively calm, though
decided and forcibe exposition.
We fnd, therefore, nothing III the present man
iiesto which, Invested of the imposing authority of
great Names is calculated TO convince us by its
reasoning, or TO win us over by its moderation.
We not likely to be tempted to vote for Mr.. A
dams by paper emanating from the hands OF those
g WHO DIsAPPRovE OF HIS MEASURES, WANT
CONFIDENCE IN HIS ADErTIsrRATIoN, AND
ARE UNWILLING TO SANCTION THE CON-
sTRUCTIoN OF THE CONSTITUTION HE HAS
EsPoUsED." We are not stimulated n,our own
zeal for his election by the fact that these honora
BILE men DIscLAIM ALL PASEGYRIc oNTHE
PRESENT CHIEF MAGISTRATES" since can
trace the cause of this otherwise mysterious ST.
ience to the fact not only obvious but substantial
iy avowed, that such discordant materials never
could have conceded in any such panegyic.-
Such a body could hare united in no etiiogium
stpon his merits as a statesman, his consistency
as politician, or his principles as e Man. We
are not to be persuaded TO acknowledge " John
Quincy Adams to be fit person to be supported
Tor the Office of President by those who believe
that in reference TO the vital matter of the Tariff
there cas- danger to be unprecedented Of abuses
2tnder has Administrations And lastly we hes-
tate TO obey the mandate of those VINO look for
blind acquiescenc in their opinss~,s-who declare
difference of sentiment among themselves, but
will not deign to enter into discussion either of
matters OF principle or of political abuses and who
AN TO- ,,,,t, tt,ni~
views Of public affairs, yet modestly ask OF US TO
accept their recommendation without aiiording us
the means of deciding for ourselves upon their
qualifications 10 advise.
We must, therefore, be excused for declining to
look for the rule OF conduct in the principles
of this memorial which so scrupulously dsavows
all on-principleS or opinions Weare in con-
sequence drawn to the necessity of rejecting ii al
together, or of bowling subrnssively to the GREAT
NAMES OF this assembly, since we may grope in
vain through the columns OF their Address for the
true complexion OF their political creed. OF the
imposing character of this unequalled Convention,
no impartial iiah can doubt, who has conned over
the catalogue OF their names; even though he were
not assured by the confident though unofficial de-
clarations of their most distinguished members,
thatthe convection has given the death blow to their
adversaies, & sealed the fate of the ticket of Va.
But even here have unhappily been left in a
stete embarrassing and perpleXed. With profound
respect for many members OF this body, we may be
permitted toproess higher veneration for the well
bred virtues Of Carr, the veteran abilities OF
johnson, than for the doubtful morality Of --,
the fiimsy defamation of We may
repose with more confidence even upon the doubt
full consistency ola -, than upon the versatile
opinions of
Hho changes euer ,cith the changing ,cind,
.Noto Nth the OUTS but struggling to get IN,
.N0,o Ultra Federal, ,,olc hdLt Jacob9R!
And we may prefer to follow in the wake of some
old and sturdy republican, rather than range our
selves under the banners of those gallant leaders,
who, thirty years ago, were not too young TO be
distinguished champions OF federalism in the poll
teal struggle OF that memorable day.
How then shall we be certain that the cautious
heads, and honest hearts, and orthodox members
of our political Church are to be found in the cata-
fogue of those who haze faith in Mr.. Adams! How
shall be ass':-ed that they are not to be found
among the scEPTIcs-who doubt of his wisdom
--disapproye of his past measures, and already
scent the approach of danger from his future adj
Ininistration? Row shall we learn whether his
jealous supporters not to be found, chiefly, a.
nong the more youthful or least talented part OF
this variegated body? How shall we discover whe-
ther in this motley assembly where the lion mas
laid down with the lamb" and the democracy OF
9S is ''sworn brother to the champions of the IA
ther of the Sedition Law; how shall we discover
whether our friends adversares are among
the lukewarin and Observation-Disclosures they may be
assured, that whether we are not ready to
be led, must distinctly understand who are ouI
file leaders, before shall tamely march in heiI
footsteps. Till we separate the. ingredients
in this alembick, we shall be indisposeG to swallow
the dose so sedulousy prepared for u.s. We must
learn that all the wheat is not in the scale against
Mr.. Adams, while all is chaff that is in his favor
before shall take their words for it. that John
Quincy Adams is tit to be re-appointed President
Of the U. States.'
II is true that tho they differ as TO MIR. A. they
find common bond of union in their hatred OF
Gen. Jackson But we are yet TO learn that the
foibes the vices of one bad man can wash away
the guilt or sustain the ill-ounded pretensions OF
another. If Gen. Jackson, to the long catalogue Of
offences whichhave been charged upon him. with
the industry and minuteness q will not say the
spitefuL tautoogy) of solicitor for the crown had
added the damning guilt Of disaffecton to his
country, or the degrading vice of cowardice in her
cause, even these would not have demonstrated
that FITNESS OF Mr.. Adams for the Presidential
Chair, which the resolution has asserted, but the
craftsman has denied. 1t might prove, indeed
that the people OF this venerable Commonwealth
the " magma pdrens UirIi1l' should lsok to the
worthless of her land or to the Fabricii of an
other, for that Roman virtue, which the conven-
ton have denied to General Jackson, but have
not dared to attribute TO the object of their choice
BUTT has been among the discoveries of the pro-
mulgators of this manifesto, that the honest yeo-
fnanry OF the country TO be won over to Mr..
Adams, when, of those who recommend him. THE
wIsEsT AND THE BEST "DIsAPPRovE or HIS
MEASURES, WANT CONFIDENCE IN HIS AID
MINIsTRATIoN, AND ARE UNWILLING TO
SANCTION THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE CON-
sTITUTIoN ADOPTED HIM." If this be re-
commentator it's a accommodation in which
HIS ENEMIES WILL JOIN. If this be the "BA c X
ING OF HIS FRIENDS" what language in the
vocabulary will convey the AWFUL DENUNc1A-
TON OF HIS FOES? CURTIUS
VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE.