Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-07-17
pOLxTyEAI.
F.o,a tte Petersburg. Lnteii,gereer.
\ o, IL =,

Of our career to extend to our editorial BRETHREN of
both parties, all those couesics which should
sciarac erze the profession But we have found bv
experience. that there is limit beyond which this
ra!e be adhered TO- unless at the sacrifice of
those principles ot seE respect winch induce honora
bic minds ,epel the ISLANDERS of men who perceive,
the mdeiensible course they have been pursuing,
striking evidences of their own degradation. When
we see print at one time confidently predicting that
the election of certain individual would be "a
CURSE upon the country, and at another, after this
individual had been clothed with the charms of
power, filling its columns with servie praises to his
name. and abuse of his opponents; at time pro
claiming its candidate to be but choice of tloo eUjts
and at another hnilng him almost guardian
angel of the liberties vi the country; ut one time
declaring its intention of suspending sentence upon
the character OF the present administration until
heir measures had been fully developed, aud at
Their before, these Developments las 1t coneEds) have
taken place, defending, with the violence of dcvo-
led partzan which strike at the very foundation
upon Which rest the permanency of the Republic.
We repeat, that, when print thus charac-
terized by many deviutons from the paths of prn-
clplc, coming forth with such bitter and indscrimi-
nate de.iunclatons of a partv--te which we became
attached by unbiased conviction that The interests
ci the country would be better subserved bv con
tIuance In power--as did the Richmond Enquirer
OF Friday last, longer orbearance would cease to be
virtue. After giving vent to its deep rooted mag-
mty towards Mr.. Clay and his friends, in that chaae
and dign!fei style, for which it has lately become so
conspicuous, the Enquirer says
no e"o of the liberty of the contemplate the
laaih'ng and reget' :,
Mercy on us Who can bear up against so acere
SENTENCED pronounced, too, through the pure and
unCiemtSted columns % the Enquirer lattdrly the
constant retailer 81! the ISLANDERS of the Teegi ph
the weak and puerie inventions of the Baltimore
Republican, and the playhouse lobby wticisms of
its namesake OF Now York. 1t would appear that
the desperation OF the Editor of the Enquirer has
increased with the size of his sheet He can no
longer perceive the least shade of purity in that class
OF papers which have had the efiontcry to differ from
HIM III his opinion of an Executive officer, whom he
openly held up the execration of his country
men-but pronouncea Judgment upon all alike wheth-
er located in his Immediate neighborhood, or scatter
ed over the broad expanse of the Union. He will
therefore, have to complain if the SANDER
rs made to recoil upon its author. He, who can
dcnounce as corrupt profigae, without exception
prints that have distinguished themselves as war;,
advocates of their coIntry's rights, whenever those
rights have been III jeopardy, msrey because, by the
stea.ness OF their codrse, they may have eclipsed
his iavorite standard-must prepare to receive with
the best possible grace the food of light which these
denounced prints may be able to shed upon his own
errors and has own Inconsistencies. Ii the Editor of
the Enquirer will place in the hands of one of his
friends OF the liberty of the press file of his own
Journal for comparison with any one Of these detes-
fed coalition Presses" and if the "loathing and
regret of this selected friend is divided between
the two, then will still cherish the opinion we
entertained of his political Course from which we
part with unaffected regret) when we saw him a
sentinel upon the batticments of freedom puardiur
with jealous vigilance, the ghts of the People.
Passing over this remuneration, (which, as far DIS
our portion OF Is concerned, snail treat with the
contempt 1t deserves,) must briefly notice the
complaint OF the Enquirer that
"They fthe coalition pIessesI will not wait until the urea,
course of Gen Jacksons Administration fairly Developed
Does the Editor ofthe Enquirer wish to induce
ms readers to believe that great and dangerous
course OF action has not been fftirfy deyelopcd?
Does he perceive cause for alarm or complaint in
the operations of his favorte work of reform Does
be not believe that the system, if persoverod
ttlt. &
lac officer. well as in those who may be seeking
some mark OF Executive favor, and thus, as natu-
raj consequence, dIuse it's whitening influence
through all classes of society and throupb every
section ofthe country? And, seeing all these thiDcs
has he any reason to expect that the people or the
press will remain silent until the evil takes deep root
and effects the parposes for which it was intended
before they ask the permission of the dctatorjni
prints 10 give utterance to their fears?
The Enquirer knows, thong may affect to believe
otherwise, that it is not because 'sot is removed
IRON Office, or "a faithless and incompetent agent
told to give wav of honor and capacitv.'
or deaulter swept from public employment that
the Opposition complaint; but because these dis
qualifications do not appear enter into the Pres
Idents version of that principle which, he saws is so
'lagiby inscribed the list of Executive duties
The fact Is too self-evdent to be DENIED by any
person possessing the common means of information
That public officers daily put under the bans of
prescription for having entertained opinions adverse
To the elevation Of the present Administration And
yet, the People enioned to stay their sentence
aud shut their eyes upon the effects ola system /
which is as dangerous to the perpetuty of Republl
canisn, as 1t has, thus far, been partial and vndc-
tive in its operations until the great course of the
Administration has been FAIRLY developed; When
over the Enquirer and the prints i'm its confidence
cin satisfactorily show that removals have been
made for opinions sake, and that all the changes
have had the public good solely in view il may expect
70 stop the tide Of public opinion which is setting in
50 strongly against principle which at present ap-
pears odious to all rejecting men. The favorite
siratagem ofthc leading administration presses, of
crying out Watkins! Watkins! Watkinsl! whenever
pressed for evidence of the unworthiness of the nu
merous discarded officers, cannot prevail much lon
ger. Something more WI be required than the
mere naked assertions OF the official organ. -
But perhaps, the coalition presses may have erred
IN gviDg'the nam Of prescription to these new fan
gled principles of refdrm. If so, it will be an easy
matter for the Ennmlrcr o anrrcct the nrrnr L,e-