Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1828-01-12


given TO the Federal constitution, at the expense
oi the rights of the states, and the measures sane
toned by virtue of such Interpretation. We are
wiling 10 that unable To call TO our
recollection solitary important public act which
originated with the executive power OF the gov
ernmCnt, that deserves the ''reward of praise -
And we think we discover an official favouritiSrn
and unlawful extent OF executive patronage, in
tended 10 effect the approaching eleciion-which
l. similar TO IargeSScs and brides that characterized
the worst and most hopeless periods in the declen-
sion and ruin OF former republics. But we forbcar
20 enumerate all of our objections 10 Mr.. Adams
Other objections TO him that have more fully re-
vcaled themselves during the controversy for the
Presidency, we have--to his essays-his letters
his speeches-his messagcs-his official and unof-
hciai doctiines-Lis official and unofficial acts
We will torbear 20 press thcm-nor is it necessary
they have been already presented TO the consd-
Grafton OF the American people in their true colors
and the occasion which has convened us does
not require any other justification of our opinions,
than that which may be found in the proceedings
oi similar meetings OF the offended freenen Of this
country, from Maine TO Georgia.
In this state of opposition to the present Ad-
inlniStration, which its own unworthiness and dis
regard OF our interest, and not the ungrateful or
GuerulouS temper of the people Of this union has
brought Oh and conirmed-we were compelled TO
look TO the alternative which Il large and highly
respectable portion of the American people have
invited us to adopt-in promoting by all fair and
honorable means III our power the election of Gen.
Andrew Jackson
Here we must be permitted TO avow. in the face
o. the charges which have been recently brought
against US Firgnians; that for ourselves, we have
occn influenced by no oracular voice from the
metropolis, 10 convene this day, to express our
nearly opposition TO the present Chief Magistrate
inns walton, his Cabinet and their councils. We
WIN however not permit single word of party
bitterness to escape this OCCASION for il would
90 injustice 10 our feelings of goodwill and per-
sonar respect towards those citizens of this county
tt,.N
ing and monentous question But we can safely
say Tor ourselves, and we believe for the proud
sons OF virginia OF every political creed-hdt zee
hdre nor get come under the ban Of the Enp;Te
tHe press. We consider free press, conducted
upon independent principles, the palladium of our
ciVh rights-one of the strongest pillars in the
beautiful colonade of our liberties. We are in
ccpted TO 1t for the information we receive of the
doctrines proclaimed, and the measures pursued by
the Administration; the evidence we obtain
oil the intrigue and corruption of our public SER
wants; but II does not therefore follow that we
have yielded our opinions, in state of abect SER
WITTY 10 me influence OF that moral power which
still lives, although the causes that produced il
dead.
Those who have offered us, and the rest of Vir-
gnans opposed TO the reelection of their avourite
, hlr. Adams, this very handsome compliment TO
the pliancy of tcippers, have by direct infer
ence informed US that neither the ability nor the
zeal, nor the industry of s'Senior Editor'' nor
former, nor present talented contributors could
dazzie, nor elude the strength and vigilance OF
their diScernment,-and having escaped the en-
enantInent OF these powerful causes-in the spirit
oil philanthropy they entreat from the Mefronolis
the best defence that can he manufactured into
the shape of a Pamphlet for Mr.. Adams and MIR.
Ciay-and the ablest prosecution of Gen jackson
for the purpose OF enightening the public mind
as II were even now oscillating between the I'M
pleasant alternatives presented A Pamphlet ex-
hibiting but one side of these controversial 0ues-
tons intended to pour the light of ''truth without
lear upon the mental optics OF the members of this
meeting, and other deluded opponents of the Ad-
, mlnstraton-and 10 exert a wonderful ssn,oraI
influence" never before felt because the causes
producing it have been hitherto deal) upon this
tnoughteSS conmunity-upon children OF mo IT
kind parents, the members ola co.rcspopdincr com
inIteee residing in the City of Richmond
Let US remind our friends once more that we
arc under the influence of no other moral pow
Or IN any form, whether of a newspaper, or a
pamphlet, than that which burns in our oyvn
breaat the love Of truth and the law Of self-preser-
Vaton. It's not the Senior Editor of newspaper
out pubic documents and other evidence and sour
ces oil instruction communicated, that besiege ouI
Judgments and influence our decisions
1.-THE declaration of American Independence had
oeCnpromulgatcdfron press to have been conduct
edbythe Immortal Jefferson, an half century earlier
uanit was; would even tile moral influence of his
great name have thrown the then Colonies into a
State OF reyolt Certainly not. Ii was the Iipht OF
truth, that that most perfect instrument conveyed
10 every mans mind at the time of its proruuIpa-
tCn-and not the illIstrious author of it. which i'm
PEELED the Ball of the Revolution. Ii was the az
tual sense OF wrongs that it forcibly enumerated
not even Tie Congress of 70 that fixed the Reso
luton OF our Fathers, inspirited their Battles and
caused the anniversary cannon of the 4h Of JULY 10
reSound through the Country. But let us return
from this unpleasing DEPRESSION
We will not, as we have said, attemut to occunv
the ground over which the enemies of Gen. Jack
son have passed, arraigning him in every step of
their journey, Tor the possession OF qualities which
they alledge unfit him for the high station to which
he aspireS-and for the entire want of those sngi-
lar qualifications required in the person of the chief
magistrate of the Nation. As might be supposed
there many shades Of difference in opinion A.
moHg Che members Of this meeting in relation to the
intrinsic qualifications Of their iavorite and in rea
ton 10 his claims TO the Presidency, when cOnpar-
with other distinguished Citizens of the United
States-and we all agree, that whilst we believe
his elevation will rebound 10 the honor and interest
Of his country there can be no positive assur-
afforded us, that he and his Cabinet will pur-
measures az favorable TO the south, and 10 the
prevalence Of state power we could desire. Yet
whist we do not pretend to define how much the
Of state rights and strict construction of the
Federal constitution will gain by lis Election, we
are well assured that nothing this score can be
lost by eXpclliDg the present incumbent. We be-
lsevc that Andrew Jackson is truly an honest man
patriot after the Roman Modcl-uncorruptod by
the seducng arts which have been practised in
past most trying times, and uncorruptible by any
ntfigues and discrimination that may hereafter as
ootl tiie noble integrity of his purpose.
The fact, that he had secured the esteem and
confidence Of those who best knew him, long be-
fore the battle OF New Orleans, could possibly have
dazZled the public vision, and supplied the senses
OF this rejecting and Independent nation-and that
his great popularity had secured him the most no
norabe and responsible places Of public trust, assur-
ing us that altho he may lack the polish of courts
and The refined taste of Bellies Lettres scholar.
stead n mo md ont