Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-01-17

appeal 70 reason and patriotsrn--Iot 90 the pas
sons Let US follow the example which our ad-
versaries nave set US in combining all our
sources oi argument and moral influence thro' the
medium OF societies, public meetings, newspaper
essays, and journals devoted to the propagation of
the principles OF free trade. Let US keep ND a
friendly communication with those OF similar SEN
uments IN other states, (the respectable minorities
IN the Tariff States, especially and engage their
cooperating appeals 10 public opinion and eCisa-
tive elaboration. Let us, in short, embody pub
ic sentiment IN every possible form, and bring il
TO bear upon the Legislative Councils with force
which cannot but be felt and yielded TO. Ii we
will be satisfied with practical results, with relief
from actual burthcns, means of this sort cannot
ial TO gain our end But, if, OH the other hand w
insist on mere speculative points-f we demand,
as sine qua non. an abandonment of the princi-
PIE OF protecton-a principle co-eval with, and in
herent in the government,-iG we continue to de-
nounce that principle as au outrage upon the Con-
siituon, and threaten TO meet it with resistance
an act OF usurpaon-nothing can be expected but a
peTpetuotf0n OF OW grievances, civil broil and
confusion, and finally the ruin and subversion OF
our political system. There is no truth in poll
tics, which deserves 10 DO more constantly
borne in mind than this-that the greatest en-
eniies OF Reform, are the over-Zealous and ex-
travagant friends Of Reform,-and that the most
certain mode of losing defeating practicable or
ects is 10 contend for those which are impracticl-
BILE. The suicidal eiiicacy of this sort of indis-
creton Is so well understood, that willy politicians
who are opposed TO particular measures, sometimes
profess to be their friends only to defeat them by
the extravagance OF their support; and cannot
perhaps better close these rcmaks than by remind
ing the reader of an illustrative anecdote which
Moor relates of Sheridan Sh ridan, it seems,
though always profe>sed friend SUPPLEMENTARY
reform, was, in truth, secretly disincined TO it.
He, however, always concurred in the stronges.
propositions, and went along with Major Cart
wright and the radicals in their widest schemes
when rallied upon the subject by some of his
friends, he cou! not resist the temptation of boast
Ing his cunning at the expense OF his honesty, by
coniessing the game he had been playing, and
wound up by laughingiy advising them to follow
his example, saying, whenever any one piopo.
ses to you specific plan Of reform, always answer
that you are for nothing short of universal suffrage,
and according to the statute OF Edward III, par
liancnts once year, and oftener if need be-
there you are safe. For my part, am az, of.
tener u need 5e.'-i certainly do not suspect any
OF The stickcrs for the unconstitutionaity of the
Tariff, aid the total abandonment OF the princ,-
pie OF protection, of being actuaed b, the Sher;-
dan policy hut it is worthy of their consideration.
whether extravagant and misdirected, though hon
est zeal, may not be as fatal to the cause il espou
ses. as secret treachery or open hostility.
JACKSON MAN OF THE SCHOOL OF '98