Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1828-07-18

streetso Askaion!!"
Reader. think well on what is past. and look a
heaa!! QU1ERlST.
IT, the EAt,rs n tie ~E,nqIUer.
TIL advocate oil a Dad cause should possess a de
gree OF skill and caution at least equal to his zeal,
or he may unwitringly expose weak points, which
might otherwise have escaped the notice of the
most vigilan, assaiant. The spirit of in assault is
always quickened by the eagerness OF the defence.
The assaiiant perceives that he has got the wolf by
the ears, and though there would b, danger in
holding OH, il would be death TO let 60 HI mcnds
his hold. This may be the consequence Lon aughi
/ know, OF the generous interposition of the chivai-
rous :" Virginius" on behalf Of the Judges | ,hali,
at least, pursue my purpose unintimidated and un.
awed; though 1 shall not withhold from him my
most unqualified admiration OF the .. unpremedi-
tated" and % uisca!culating gailantry'' he has dis
played. The generous champion who steps forth
unbidden to rescue "A friend from peril; or the man.
who under the mask OF a third person, repels AN at
tack that has been made, or is meditated, upon
himself, should not calculate to do battle without
personal danger, and TO go altogether scathless
from a conflict which he has sought.
This writer has graciously informed the public,
that the violence OF my wrath against the Judges,
exceeds the bounds OF due moderation" For INV
part, feel myself greatly indebted to him for the
illumination which this sage observation has afford
cd me, and hereby tender him therefor, my warm
acknowledgements and sincere thanks. i shall,
however, be under still greater obligations to him,
II he will have the kindness, IN his next publica-
ton, to designate the proper limits Of moderate pt-
oience and decorous torath. When they shall have
been made visible to my obtuse op,icks, b. NAV
rest assured, that they shall not be wanionIy o.
verstepped. l must, in candour, however, ac-
knowledge my ignorance Of their existence; tho
doubt not tha, the sagacity and research of this
writer have discovered, in some high latitude of
learning, beyond the ultima thule oil ordinary sci.
ence, the bounds of due moderation 10 tcrdth and
~ciotence, and given TO their singular modes of ex-
istence " n local habitation and a name" How
ever, j feel myself constrained, without further
argument, 10 admit that violence does, in truth,
exceed moderation.
Our kind correspondent, in the next place, ad-
mits Sc it is the award OF justice that a due portion
OF censure should fall on those Judges who have
no reasonable excuse for Withholding their atten
dance" The defender OF those honorable gentle
men then comedies the point, that they merit cen
sure, : a due portion Of censure." | must here a
gain acknowledge my own deficiency. l do not
pretend to possess, either that extraordinary clear
ness of comprehensive, or that happy accuracy Of
expression, which distinguish the communication
of this writer. He talks with great tormaliiy of a
due portion Of censure, and the bounds OF due mo-
Iteration, sc. &c. If he has any disposition to in
crease the obligations 1 am already under, he will
have the goodness, in his next essay-which /
shall look for with great impatience-to calculate,
according TO Cookers most approved rule, or any
other rule with which his various science may
have furnished him, the exact, the :. due" guam
tuIIt VI phSSt>C iitttto VI ulSdpIuODd-
ton, set forth by metes aud bounds, 80 accurately
ascertained, that foes might not demand more, nor
friends desire less, which these honorable gentle
men have meri.ed, by their misconduct. Let him
do this, and having intended only 10 bestow what
was meri,cd, i shall not be slow TO retract what 1
have said, with the voluntary confession, that my
logic can@ot stand the test of the arithmetick.
/ am charged with " a disposition to stir up an
CRY elements, and with having hurled denuncia-
tons at the heads of the Judges" BY what means
MIR cao1ciOtS Cnrrasnnnuepf has asrprtainp1 tphat
I am disposed TO do, ] am unable to say. He GER
tainly does not know Inc, and probably never will.
] suppose, however, he has satisfied himself, and
whatever else L may be disposed to do, l surely am
not disposed to rob him OF the pleasures OF his self
satisfaction. But he shall not rob me of mine. |
AIN satisfied, 30 help me God, that my motives are
pure; and that ! have only attempted to do, in my
humble way, what seemed to me to be demanded
by the public voice.
1 solemnly affirm it 10 be my conviction that the
official conduct of the Judges Of the General
Court, has produced in the country a general and
Well-groundedd discomfort. About the truth Of this
fact there can be no argument; every man must
appeal to his own personal observation, and to that
only. Let this writer deny the truth Of it, if he
dare: and if he do, he will have furnished the
public, at once, with all unerring test Of his dis
interestedness and caDdour. L impugn no mans
motives; for there may be an honest difference OF
opinion on most subjects. Personal friendship may
have blinded him TO the existence OF what think
cannot be concealed.
MY nature may be too austere for the silken
soiiness, and the refined relaxation of these indul-
gent times; il may indeed be rude, for ] have not
yet acquired that courtly elegance and high ac-
complshnent and being a plain republican,, l dc
not desire (which would enable me to give ut
terance to unpleasant truths in pleasing language
or to ex press the feelings oil Indignation and dis:
content, in the appropriate phrases OF gentleness
and satisfaction. | cannot, and would not II | could,
gloss over the asperities OF damning facts, with all
the charms OF splendid diction, and all the grace of
ACCIDENTAL refinement.
This writer has kindly furnished us with an e.
mum Grafton OF the official duties OF the honorable
gentlemen, whom he has taken under his protec.
ton, and defends them against the charge OF OH
cial neglect, by such cogent and powerful obser-
vations as the following: " they arc in the habit
every year OF deciding thousands of csuses-they
generally give satisfaction they commonly do all
the business-they sometimes hold even special
terms to do the unfinished business-and are often
engaged, at least one half of the year" AND
surely, Mauiius, il is said, you must have been in
huenced by passion, not reason, when you accuse
men of misconduct who are - in the habit OF do
ing their duty, who I" generally" and " common
ly," and sometimes" do, what by the solemn OBJ
legation Of an oath, they are bound.and required
0iDdys to do; and who are " often" engaged, a
least one half Of their time, in performing duties, fol
which they are paid TO devote their whole time, /
it shall be necessary 10 their complete pcifor'
nance. This reasoning is surely unaustDeTd6fe
am asked, in a most confident and triumphan
manner, If l really think that the public lives o
men can be marked with Hselessness, who have
faithfully performed their duties! VeriIy,l do no
think so. Men could not have spent their lives IN
useiessness, who have done 80 faithfully" what wa
required ofthem. Have the judges done so! That
the very question in debate, which Is not to be de
termiDed by a bold interrogation. That they have
cannot be assumed as an established fact, without