Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1829-02-03
.fct3tttotuU IZsUtN.


manufactures in 1909, very ngeniousy endcavors TO
break the force of the garing inconsistency and to
EXCUSE his regeneration, by preliminary vndica-
ton ofhinsef But in fact, no such vindicaton was
necessary. The report signed by Mcssrs Cabel
Writ, Foushcc, scn'r, Randolph and Ri;chic.
not sought to be rcpublished to convict Mr. Richie
Of inconsistency bat as furnishing very strong
gument IN favor Of the policyit recommends; and fur
tcr establishing, that the present notions ofthcun
cdrstituionaty ofthe Tariff Off fewyenrs' growth
utterly unknown to the Republicans of the jefferson
und Madison era, and dsavowed by every distinguished
elder OF the party whose opinions have been ascer
tanned or recorded. Dir. Ritche's anticipated vind-
cation, proves than his consciousness of ha-
wing justly incurred III this instance, us he has in
thousand others, the reproach of papabc and ire
concicnblc incoDsistcncy-a rcproach to which he
has been often and singuary obnoxious, as to
prove in fact, that he has political opinions what
ever, but capeeon like, takes his hue and color from
the popular doctrines of the day. We have before
said, und repeat it, that he holds no present
opinion of any man any measure, which his files
vii not show to be the opposite of his opinion on
spme former time of the same man and the same
measure. Many persons whose politics have been
formed from reading the Enquirer, find themselves
zcd and denounced of the right faith for hold
ing fast to opinions either first derived FROM or con-
6rmed b. the Enquirer! What wonder them that
DR. kitcc Is very sensitive upon the point of his
consistency
That the paper signed by JIr Richie in 800 docs
90 the full length of recognizing the CONSTITUTIONAL
~ of protecting manufactures, and the good policy
Of establishing them, will gaiIsay. after ne
has read IL. What apology therefore is il, 70 say that
the state OF Foreign relations made it necessary in
1908, to rely upon ourselves for all articles of neccs
sty? Can the state of our foreign relations, make
that constitutional when war is threatened which il
unconstitutional at another time. The argument is
very good one - provo tn neces;;v of rlan-fac-
turing for the same state of things that existed in
1903, may and will occur again; and in our opinion
as strong when used in anticipation as when applied
IN the act:-l condi of the country; h,t SURELY
the beliigcrent state OF tie world, and the conse-
quent destruction Of our commerce., couli not have
rendered that constitutional in 1903 which Tho con-
sttuton remaining the sauc) is unconstitutional in
1929 This is ur. RitcbesJ i,st excuse 70, his change
Of opinion.
The second is The length of iirnn 20 years, hat
has since elapsed. The gentleman seems to have
strong inclination TO plead the lutte Of imliationsI
We think it would have bcen moro manly 20 dcc'r
rs Mr. Wtchcr did the other day IT, Tie House of
Delegates-that ne had changed his onnion because
lie had altered his opinion, and all that he could cav
was that he thought himself to-day, wiser ma than
Ire was yesterday We contend for this right, and
we acknowledge the justice Of Mr.. Broughsn's de-
nitiou, that the best evidence of principle is the ac-
acknowledgement OF truth. But then we think that
man, particularly public man, ought to have some
thing like fixed opinion, and not fuctpate e. dodge
about with all the GIBBS and flows Of public sentiment
What we object to in Dir. Ritchies changes, is that
they are 80 numerous, and critically timed and
that they have made the Republican garment SO like
a bcggurs, that tell which is the original
cloth and which the patch! curious illustration Of
ts truth is found the fact That the old lenders Of
tue Republican party in Va. with Mr.. Madison at
thcr head, they who in fact organized it and led il
on to victory, considered by the new lights
nf the Enquirer. icdcralists aud atiluiinarans
But let those who follow tho guidance Of thcce new
lights beware! 4 change may take place in Virginia
ubont the Tariff which will be followed rs matter
~ course, by corrcspoudcn change in the Enquir-
-, and then those WHO now arrogale exclusive d.
tocracy and constitutional orthodoxy. viii end them
f.lves in turn, put under The ban Of the inquirer
Hnd called fsty.
BIT Mr.. Rite. c's grand excuse for his deviation
ifnm lie opinions in 1905 is, that at that time, "thc
point Of constitutionality had never been made much
less the question serir;m discussed" Mr.. Giles who
Happened TO be the man who brought into Congress
the first bill for national road, and who sustained il
by precisely The same arguments now used bv tho
advocates ofnatonal improvement, made TIC same
excuse, when he was charged with Regeneration.
What validyit is entitled TO- it IS not very material
TO enquiries bit this may be fairly assumed, that they
who have been convicted Of holding and recommend
ing certain opinions at particular time, with very
bad grace, undertake to abuse and denouncc others
for holding them az another. We affirm that in 1903
IL wins the universal desire Of the country to make
irself wholly independent Of Europe for all It's ne
ccssaries, and Mr. Jefferson believed to be very
strongly inclined to Tie Chinese policy, and to shut