Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1830-11-30

cd. bySrking out tho question altogether and leaving,
therefore, the reply, perhaps, equally grauous aud alb
surd.
If the form of an interrogatory be used on any oc
cason the author cannot reasonably complain il he is
taken at his word and understood he has chosen
press himself speaker has Just ground of dissa,is
faction il his audience do not discover meta
phor beneath the disguise Of plain literal inquiry
am little versed in the science OF toasts. The usage
may, therefore, have escaped me which gives them
the form OF question: and yet denies the ordinary con
sequences oil enquiry, by prohibiting reply The argu
ment has 10 overcome the double difficulty, first OF
tsblishing the novel shape OF this species OF compost
uon and then Of proving that its form and substance
oil contradictory natures.
But let us see the substance of the communication.
II shall be an affirmation " simply" i" that il was
not the dictate of humanity to depioe the result" II
the occasion be recolIected the remark (however word
ed must be admitted in the claimed for H. to have
been either strangely misplaced, absolutely mean
ing II was meeting of fesvity; a celebration -
Joy and gladness had been produced and extended
throughout Pennsylvania by the very circumstance
stated in the toast-he advance OF civilization and the
retreat OF the savageby the exchange of every thing
that could deblse for every thing that could ennobc h
man nature. This great end had been accomplished,
without violation of moral principle Interference
with the rights OF others Desola,on had given place
to the improvements of civil society. The which
minister to mans happiness and wisdom, had succeeded
to wretchedncss and mbeciiy Science and religion had
erected and adorned their temples substitutes for
the monuments of ignorance and the affairs of SUI
perstiton and dolatry. To celebrate these glorious
results, band Of happy reemen about TO unite
In one joyous and mirhful jubilee. Such the
timed rusm-that humanity dictated no lamentaton or
sorrow! Not man there or elsewhere, did deplore
or Thought OF deporing the result The present. mani
tested their feelings in mutual fluctuations and camor-
Gus oy-and the absent in cheertuness of spirit gener
ousy furnished additional incentives mirth aud esti
vty One universal sentiment prevailed, that the only
result which the occasion contemplated the triumph
OF virtue and religion, knowledge and happiness. 10
caution such assembly against mourning and wo,-on
such an occason-and Tor such result-could neither
be reconciled with the state of their feelings the his
tory OF their native land. But when they reflected that
the end which had been accomplished among them,
still in anticipation and progress else,chere-and
that they had not hesated one public
to "depore the adopted for its accomplish
men,-the only application which could be given TO
the caution in the toast was necessarily TO their known
sentiments Of regret for the policy of the general go
vernmcnt and that of sister state Such at least was
so much more obviously the meaning than the
suggested and insisted on, that they could and did
not doubt in their construction. While, therefore, thew
dealt in no "unriendly commentary" and INDUCED in
"vehement crimination' as 10 the person who had
unhappy as they thought, thrown fire. brand among
thcm they expressed their opinions upon the subject
which they believed in their cences he had chosen
for theme.
There additional circumstance which could
not fail to excite uneasness if not alarm. The comnu-
nication emanated from the cabinet Its organ was the
legal adviser OF the Executive. Ii il could have been
designed officially to dictate unacceptable sentiments
even in shape apparently harmless, it would be an
act oil high-handed oppression, which citizen could
submit to without shame did require the recent
explanation to prove that either the distinguished head
oil the government nor any others of its funconaries
Ill the measures at Its adopt0n--and the
excited tone of the " observations sufficiently proves
that it has not met with subsequent confirmation or sup
port.
II might be conceded without danger to the argu-
men that II the terms of the toast had been thought
susceptible of two-eld interpret the unexcep-
tonable one should have been adopted There was GER
tsiny no such impression belief The form of hypo-
thesis complained Of like the toast at the conclusion of
my remarks, was adopted by myself merely from mo-
moves-as 1T seems-of very unnecessary courtesy. |
assure you sir and the public that the suggestion Of an
alternative as to the meaning of the author had sup
Port6 courtesy until the explanation which you have
published, first gave il countenance.
trust shall be prepared when occasion requires,
10 indicate from unnecessary reproach the citizens of
any portion OF our common country. The gallant sons
oil Georgia know too well how appreciate differences
OF opinion, to complain of the candid expression of
them My object now has been TO disprove for myself
and friends the charges of discouresy and doing voun-
tary wrong They are, am sure, incapable of either
But they will consent TO be- made the organs of
sentiments which, individuals they condemn or TO
submit 10 dctation and oppression which, freemen
they abhor.
Yours, very respectfully,
November 20, 1890 ]. r.. INGERSOLL.