Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1830-02-26
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Jeferson," IN the Charlottesville A6oofate.
We feel at some loss how to meet the general re-
guest which Jefferson has made to tho Press of
Virginia, to fe-pubish his structures upon the course
Tine Richmond Enquirer in refusing to publish his
essay Of "virginian, in vindication of Nr. Web
ster, or as no prefers it, Of "TRurH." Wc subscribe
to the correctness of his views relation to the free
dom Of the Press, and We sny with the strctest
propricty, that rs conductors of periodical Press
we have invariably, and in the most excited party
times acted mp to them. We have never refused. nor
feit oursef at liberty to refuse, opportunity for
communicating with the public to any who sought it
from us, merely for difference of political opinion
Where we have closed our columns against anv COR
respondent it has never been from opposition to his
sentiments or any apprehension of their influence
upon the public mind, but because in the exercise of
sound discretion, we supposed what was rendered
unfs from some cause or other, to meet the public
eye. We have only approved und pursued the
policy ofthsowing open columns to all who sought
them, but have and felt that truth and Justice
sustained the deepest wounds from others pursuing
an opposite con.'e. Owing to number of fortunate
causes-the complete ascendancy of the Republican
party in Vrginaits devotion to that party-its pos
session of the field almost wthouta rival for twenty
years, and thus becoming the organ through
which distinguished citizens comuiuned with. the
pubic' as well as State Gazette, which gave it
quasi official characterize say nothing of the
industry, respectable talent, and selfish TACT
which always distinguished ia particular Journal
attained an extent ofcirculation and height of nlu-
ence, which literally put it in the power of its con-
ductors to mould public opinion in Virginia. (wherc-
YER that opinion free to be formed by newspaper
discussionl at will. We need not say that the pow
thus possessed exercised and that in point of
fact, the most popular and talented men in Virginia.
While they secretly and privately nveghed against it.
atth same time courted il, and trembed 10 offend it,
What we are saying, is not said lightly and without
conclusive evidence. we have witnessed it. Our
eyes, our and our understandings bear tcstmo-
ny TO the reality ofthe fact and not ours only but
those of hundreds besides While confidential COM
plaints making the hand. of the CALLING
yoke ofthe Enqurers dctaton, and sneers INDUCED in
at the expense ofthe editor, who had acquired annu
ence SO dsproportoned to his ability, that editor
the other, fed with the sweetest Git bits Of Fat
terry and compliment we have particular indi
vdual in our eyc-thc cases are much more numerous
than the exceptions.
When paper with so great circulation, read By
many who never another, refused to publish any
Thing, it virtually suppressed. Jefferson" it
seems has only found out this TRUTH and that by
the accident of having been brought personally within
the operation the exclusion. lie views that as new
discovery which has been known for years, and which
has inflicted injury irreparable. lie is probably
those who concurrng in political sentiment with the
Enquirer, would the despotism Of its
while the coincidence existed He happened to hear
Mr. Websters speech--to be satisfied that the Tee-
graph most grossly misrepressnted ito feel an
honest Indignation at Green's auducous perversion
oftruth-- and with honorable independence stepped
on, of the ranks of his party, resolved to sustain
truth though adverse to Jacsonan, and on the side
Ito him, but IF party man, very injudcious--since
it must in all probability, forfeit forever, the conf
dcnce of the thorough Jacksoniuns--who never will
forgive ''vindicaton Of Truth which rescued Mr..
Webster from obloquy, and puts of their own
champions in the wrong. We do not know who a
I"Virgnun" is, but this we know, and can assure to
him, that he has sinncd unpardonaby. So mons,rous
derelictiOn of party discipline must be punished
with perpetual exclusion from the lonors and cmol-
monts Of Ic Republican Party.
Tie simplicity of q "Vrguian," in supposing that
+ any paper of @e genuine Republican party would
publish an article which, though mere "vindca-
ton Of "TRUrH" bore hard upon Duff s veracity,
and vindcated Mr. Webster at the same time, from
studied Misrepresentation, is amusing enough Who
Their part Of his design not, and however necessary
to the object he aimed at he could not possibly have
introduced two topics which rendered his essay more
distasofuI and inadmissble. The is the official
organ of the Republican party, who must by no
means be discredted--the other is an opponent Of
the Administration whose colossal strength can
only be prevented from bearing down all before it,
by representing the himself as holding DANCE
rous opinions and foe to the liberties Of the people,
7 A thousand times has it been repeated in all tho
for ms ofhardy assertion and sly and more dangerous
insinuation, that Mr.. Webster member of the
Hartford Convention. What Jackson paper, has
ever had the generosity to contradict a falschood
,uhich ,vns onnrnino boncfclallY To its party, As