Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1828-01-08

RICHMoMD, JAN 8
FOR TIE ENQUIRER.
DNIAN IDIINlSON Eco

the Richmond Committee have drawn upon you
no inconsiderabc share OF public attention, and
you friends throughout the country, (among whom
i be- leave to number myself,) are arXiously
looking 10 the course you may feel it incumbent
on you 10 pursue. You are certainly committed
10 oppose General jackson, and If possible, TO de-
feat his election. But YOU have not pledged your
self TO use Mr.. Adalns a. Your instrument, nd
am very much mistaken, if, under any circuin-
stances you can bring yourself to unite III course
OF measures, intended TO recommend that gentle
man 10 the confidence of Virginia, or TO the sup
port OF the nation Certain am, that you never
Will do so, but the strongest conviction that it
Is the only means by which you effect your
determined purpose in relation TO his opponent;
and under these impressions, now venture 20 APP
peal at once 10 your head and TO your heart.
L am not the eulogist nor, in the strict sense
OF the word, the advocate OF General Jackson |
feel and acknowledge, in it, fullest extent, his
want oi many Of the most important qualifications
for the office 20 which he aspire;. 1 lament his
defective education. l repTobate his hasty and
unSoyernahlc temper: And if contemplate, with
more measured Indignation than yourself, his acts
OF military usuTpation, it Is only because my feel
ings are somewhat sofened towards him, by u
deep conviction of the perfect integrity and pure
but mistaken patriotism tina; accompanied, rather
dictated their commission.
es, sir! General jackson is an honest man,
There l. 10 instance record of his having sought
TO corciiiac his enemies, by the descrtion and de-
iamotion u his friends. Tie never betrayed one
OF the too great parties into which we have been
iucus deceived tiie Otler. lac never court
cd popular favor, by the assertion of principles he
dld not entcrtain--nor by undiguitied appeals TO
tiie lowest passions and prcudices of the people.
He never sought 10 force himself the nation
against its most obvious wishes. And | feel welt
assured, that he never would, under any circum-
stances, prostitute the powers and patronage OF
Official station, 20 secure perpetua;e his personal
promotion.
Entertaining these impressions, have long since
determined, ii compelled TO choose between the
TWO candidates that before.
General jackson. 1 should 10 So not without re-
luctance-bu il will be reluctance very far short
OF that with which you viii deposit your ticket for
MIR. Adams
l confess, Sir / feel very little apprehension on
the ground per;inaciouslY meintained By the
more devoted adherents OF the Administrator
have too much confidence in the strength of our
institutions, and in the purity of our people TO be-
iieVe that either will be endangered at present, by
the elevation OF a military Chieftain." And al
though L would rather not set the example of
making the first Office in the country, the reward
OF mere military merit, trust and believe the day
Is far distant, when such example will be pro-
ductiye OF very serious consequences 70 the inter-
ests of this nation.
Not so, however, with The. precedent that will
be set IL the election Of Mr.. Adams To the bold
and undisgUised assaults of military power, when
ever they may be attempted, the iTee-bo.Il prin-
cpies OF the people viii oppose the most eiiectua
resistance. But against the secret and insidious
of political corruption, there is no Sc
from Nlle moment, IN winch All lnli-
viduai, distinguished above all others, for his cold
calculating and selfish principles, and acknowledge
cd by ninetentil5 OF his adhe-entS TO be destitute
oil every claim TO political integrity shall be ele
Vated by the people 10 the Chief Magistracy of the
natlon-ffOm that moment, may we date the COM
Of a downward course, which sub
'equcnt wisdom, 10 dcGth-bcd repentance can
ever arrest
Need bring 70 your recollection the prominent
acts OF Mr.. Adams political life Are the Pc
Cudr his and
migration from the extreme OF party to the eE
IRENE OF the other, forgotten! VIII the estimabe
son OF Chief Justice Marshall, who l observe with
regret Is 90 mngle i'll your deliberations OF the 9Th
Of January, give implied sanction to the SLAM
leFous impuiaionA against lii Father, which was
Inc iirst indication Of treason and the FIRST eYpiataTy
sacrifice oil traitor 20 triumphant majority p
IAN the venerable General Blackburn, the gallant |
zen. Taylor, and the host of worthy and undevia-
ling Fcderalists around thcIr sing hosannas 70 the
man, " no, IL the moment OF deserving them, fur !
lsiled, IN the opinion Of Mr.. Jefferson, -unques-
onabic teVideuce Of their reasonable intentions
" I'LL the distinguished civilians of the Convention
rom the bench and from the bar yourself among
the numbcr,) consider u safe depository of ex-
ecutIvc power, the individual, who, in the feryOr
OF s-born zeal, once held executive reconneE-
dalton, as supeTscding tthe necessity both Of facts
and argument? viii not blush of shame crimson
the cheek of ever honorable and intelligent man
amongst you, when YOU call 10 mind those undig-
niiled appeals to vulgar prejudice, which, from
time to time have Nominated from the President
OF your choice! But above all, will not the heart
OF patriotism sink within ITSELF when Convention
such as yours, shall unite in recommending 20 the
confidence Of the people, that man, who has set
the frst (and trust in God, it may be the last
example OF the open and unblushing prostitution OF
executive patronage, 10 purchasing support for
second election?
Sir, can readily understand, and in some de !
gree sympathisc with the feelings, which dictates
a determined and intending opposition to General
jackson. But # there ever was a consideration TO
Juainy the association Of such name as yours
with Mr. Adams, il has passed away; and OPP !
portuiity IS nov afforded you, Of Withdrawing for
ever isOn connection, unnatural It seems 10
have been disagrceahl, TO YOU. There Is evident
~ no longer Ch1uce OF succeeding against Gen. !
Jackson with the candidate, whom, circumstances
have forced upon you; and if You really think il
tds have no doubt ysI C0,) matter Of the first
Importance to dsieat The military Chicftain' III
his Triumphant march 20 pow r, you only effect
II under some other auspices than those which
have hith0rto directed your progress.
am aware, that il - dangerous experiment
TO change a commanding General, in tie sight Of
an opposing army, and at the very moment OF con-
ihct. But there situations ia which change
Can bc for the worse, ald you must pardon ZIG for
saying, that no can be imagined, more fully
eXempliiying the truth Of the remark, than one in
which party of biah-minded, honorable and pat
fiOtic gentlemen, find themselves borne down in
The maintenance Of thoir principles, by a candidate
50 loaded aud blOa'ed win political corruption, as
10 be IN object o. disgust even 20 his own adhc-
rents.
Let nc entTcat you :hon, as you value those
high and lofty sentiments, which have ever regu-
lated your cOnduct-as you regard the influence
of you cNempc on The future destinies II your
cointry--ltt me enifeat you 20 throw off The bur-
then that weighs you TO the ground. Remove
tho barrier thai separates you from thousands and