Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1828-09-26
POLITICAL PROPOSITIONS.

POlIlIICAI PROPOSITIONS.
The n Y. Journal Of Commerce has recently
IS shot from its customary sphere into the region
Oh politics. We should scarcely have noticed this
new movement, if its course had not been marked
by an omnous eccenlricity. We DO not aliude to
its proposition 'that the President ought be rem
dered ineligible for election or a, least
the next succeeding eiection''-much less 10 the
reason which il assigns for the proposition, viz:
" that the President oil the u. Sta ought, for the
time being, TO be placed beyond the reach Qf G,ey
s'aotires bat the good IF his country But its
next proposition, that il :" would be well to make
our elections less frequent, especially the Presi-
dental electon;" and that " perhaps it would be
well to extend the term OF service sr or eight
years., Is susceptible Of much more dispute. We
confess, that considering the exorbitant powers
which the President possesses, we think the term
of four years sufficiently long for most men to be
elected TO the exercise oil such powers. The peo-
pie ought TO h0ld check iein over such an agent,
light enough 10 make him feel his responsibility to
The lawful owners.
But Of all IFS propositions, the following is the
most cxcep,ioDabie: 9 If we did not sympathize
with Gen. jackson the coffin hand-hiiIs,''
"a neighbor complains, rather, If did not
speak OF these sue 'toRiine Qor we did repro
bate in general terms the ai!ec ting the
opposing candidacs,) it is not because the ciarac-
ter OF Jackson has not suffered from these vulgar
attacks, hut because we did not happen to consider
/ him President of the u. States. As far AS we
are concerned, the two candidates stand on very
different grounds; one OF them at the head Of the
nation and the other in the ranks with 1t is
our duty Gas il is that of ally to lend aid i'm de-
| fence OF the Executive power from the vulgar and
abusive attacks Of ot1igate mentor government
can operate with energy or be respected abroad
which has lost lis dignity at home; but as 10 start
ing crusade in behalf OF the injured citizens in
, The country, the work would more than ill our
hands. Perhaps this distinction has escaped some
of Gen Jackson's political friends, for they seem
TO have considered the President better than
popjay and have let .ly their arrows accordingly.
q
scope OF remarks yesterday, that the candidates
should stand in such different relations to the peo-
pie; and the the evil is renedied the better
! If The Journal had said, that the President
ought 10 be supported i'll the proper discharge OF
his Legitimate duties, no one would dispute the
proposition. The thing is equally true Of ali
OF her magistrates. And ii it had added, that
when his re election was opposed, it should be
done in fair s open manner JAIL persons would sub
scribe TO the justice OF the remark. But 10 main
TAIN that the President and his Opponent stand
| upon different grounds-tlat you may proceed TO
all greater extremities against the latter, " lille
you treat your latter with reverence or forbcar-
ance, is TO mistake entirely the theory of our 20
! vernDent. ii is 10 substitute The serviIity of
F., Turkey, exorbitant reverence for the ruling
powers, in place of the free discussion so .scessa
| III the conducting OF free government. 1t was
upon the same servle principle that the SeditoD
| Act OF 80 was passcd-wilich the people have
| stamped with the seal OF their reprobalion.-Th
proposition is, that because man happens TO be in
power, he stands higher grounds in the discus
| sion, than an opposing candidate. You may can
all the acts Of the one with the utmost free.
| dom; whereas, you must hold Off from The other,
lest, lorS0Oih, you may bring the q" head oil the
naion," The powers that be- into some sort of con-
tcppt.-And if the President deserves public CEN
| sure, why should he not receive il! What check
IL there upon his bad acts and his abuse OF power
but public opinion! While we obey his Lawful! acts
must we, therefore, treat his administration with
reverence Suppose it should be found, or even
strongly suspected, thdt he bas got into DoCcT by
/ bargain and corruption, we still be obsecu-
ous and permit him 10 DC silcn Tyre elected? Ac-
cofdliDg TO this doctrine, man need only TO be
an usurper once, 10 continue so. Suppose he
abuses his power, must the people still seal their
/ lips, in humble obedsncc, and quietly acQuiesce
rim his recollection! Suppose he gives Pledges to
I creep into authority, aud when he gets in, tram
pies on The principles of the Constitutions loses an
[ important branch OF our commerce. permits our
reputation 70 sink abroad suffers is Secretaries 10
leave their Departments, e. roam over tho country
IN search o. support, & prostitutes his patronage n
order 70 insure his rc-eiection, must tie people
preserve profound silence, or ought they not to
be permitted TO discuss his conduct with freedom
How can they ever select the best agents ii
! they cannot investigate the conduct If all alike
. and determine who is tie best qualified TO serve
I them--who is tho most honest, the mot c0puble
7, :he most faithlul 10 the Constitution!-Tut the
doctrine Of the Journal is worthy only Of the dark
days Of '99 30 s>d sAsa.i 70 seot,e6 ~ e.ery
/