Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1831-04-16

best Recommendation along with H. OF bi, principle.
We may avouch that he is among the most determined
advocates Of the Rights OF the States that is TO be found
In Virginia.-From President and The present Pres-
dent Of the U. s., we may expect morckealous sup
port of what we both agree to be the true principles
of the Constitution, than Correspondent &c
think possible for him TO accomplishment in sup
port OF General Jackson, agree with his eloquent
and powerful appeal II there be single man, with
in the reach Of this paper, whose faith is hvering il
the wind, respectfully recommend the following
Views to his most candid consideration:
Letters TO containing some General
reflections on the present state Of Parties
LETTER 1.
My Dear Sr--It is with great pleasure hut M li,.
tic diihJsnce, 'hai enter IN. SIX in which you
have engaged me To ore. much ref Getting as l have
been, the subject OF this espondence he pre-
sent state Of p,r,es !" this coun ry,-i cannot bu,
prove ming led benefit and delight TO bold communi
on with mind like yours ED with the fove of truth
ami filled with The OF long study, often con.
ference, long experience, and continual observ alton
am afraid, however, that in this barter 0 opinions
the bench. will be altogether upon one side but
snail at Iea be even with you in the quantity, how
ever deficient In the quality Of the commodities which
have 10 ofer.-A' our minds ripe aud ready for
the essence and bu then OF this let plunge
Al once, in medals
Every man at all conversant with political az.
fairs in hi, country who reads with the eye Of States
man the aspects OF the times csnnot hesitate TO rro-
nounce, that the elements Of di cord and danger
10 fearful agitation. and ha exgeney is rapay APP
proscbing. in which it will be essential to the safety
of ALL that every patriot abandoning all objects OF
minor import aud relrquishng all motives OF selfish
conduct should give himself up heart soul, mind and
body, for Ills season OF strife and peril to the great
cause Of the country and the Constitution. In this
alarming aud agitaed state of affairs, what ue OF
duct and policy does il behove us, as honest and
enlightened pariots to pursue, for the preservation OF
our beet Interests and most sacred principles ?Shali
we join tho Opposition, adhere 10 the Adminisra
ton l-Whs what is to be done l-The Que ston is la
every mans mouth the answer in nobody's. Let us
endesvour to Ind for ourselves satisfactory reply by
penetrating into the causes of the commotions which
at present agitate the country: FeIir gui pOtt re-
rum cognoscere cdusas.-We mu 1t not be content to
play with the bubbles that float upon the surface but
We must strive to go down TO the pths and sources
oil these bitter waters, 10 detect the true principle that
taints and troubles them
Although the Federal Constitution is vet in IL. youtb
cannot be pretended tina, il is also in the vigor an
purity and beauty OF that period Of hle The progress
oven OF this new Government, has exhibited IN srks
and traces OF the natural and tendency of all
human things to corruption and decay. II amotify.
ing and melancholy truth, Of which false pride might
prompt, but true patriotism will not permit, the sup
preston principal proof OF this bad tendency in
our instut ons is to be found in the fact that the Pre-
siden'ia Election is the only question that can create
political divisions, or awaken the interest and non
oil the people From the foundation OF the Governm Mt
this evil has been growing in gnitude and has
risen to such pitch that at stated periods il sweeps
over the country with irresistible fury, like peslilent
periodical hurricane demoishing the boundaries and
landmarks oil party, and stirring into DE adu agitation
all the worst elements OF human nature Parties are
indispensable to the preservation OF free institutions
Tor, TO suppress all diversity Of opinion, and collision
oil argument among would be but pu, an end to
the great march and progress of the world towards
perfection. Whenever the sentme INT shall BE- ge-
neral thai-ihat which is, /. best-the world will be
forever at stand The salutary agitaions of party,
spring out Of the diversity OF mems opinions as 10 the
frame Of Government and the method OF its adminsra-
lion, which are best calculated to promote the public
happiness In these cases, the general welfare il the
object oil them all, and the difference only arises
as to the best means Ct accomplishing il. | take
the definition OF political party contra. distin
guished from mere faction, TO be this:-A number
OF men who agree among themselves, both in the end
to be pursued and the means to be employed, in re-
ference to political su5jectsthe former being the pub
c good the latter the particular principles and mea-
sures which they advocate. But faction is a number
OF men associated together bad principles, and for
pad purposes, who, while they claim in general be
the peculiar and exclusive patriots aiming only at
the qualification OF their bad passions and the
vancenent OF their own private interests. All egiti-
mate political parties, therefore, have least prn
ciple OF agreement-he pursuit of the same end the
public good, whilst there may be found i'm one country
at one me thousand factions without any one princi-
pie OF action common to any of hem-I find, how
ever, that my reflections this head are running into
length, and will only add in this place. that party is the
cradle OF truth, whilst faction is the grave of liberty
Two parties have existed in all ages and counries-
one, in the main striving to increase, the ohr to di-
minsh the powers OF Government. The first class has
in the general, been composed of men of sanguine
temperament who look the world and its affairs in the
best aspect and in whom the hope of good feeling
prevailing over the fear of evil whilst the ranks Of
the other party on the side of the power of the Govern
ment-are to be found for the most part, the men of
colder temper, Of jealous and melancholy disposition
and who have no strong feeling of the dignity of hu
man nature, and exalted estimate of mans capacity
for self-goverDment and sef-improvement. Some men
from their mental constitutions inclined TO con
slider the restraints OF Government evils to be oe
rated only on account of the ultimate benefits thew pro
duce, whilst 9th disposed TO deem every infringe
ment oil natural liberty, positive good. The interpre
tation oil the Federal Constitution has been the prea
fountain OF the political controversies and party dsnc-
lions OF this country. The Federass have commended
Tor loose and latudnous construction, as to aug
ment the powers OF Government; whilst the Repub
cans advocated literal interpretations 10 narrow the
sphere OF Federal action.
IL seems TO That the Old fadaraists are IN he re-
cognzsd, at this day. in the friends OF the American
System, and the old Republicans in the friends of State
Highs. Virginia has been always the proud ADD dsn-
gubed leader OF this latter party. Her llu.irous states
men detected very early the fatal tend ncy Of the Fed
era Government, 10 transcend The limits its auIho,
ty, and TO assume the resiiuary powe of the states
and OF the peopi; and the monument OF her undyios
glory is TO be found 10 the bold and consistent
she has adopted, TO arrest the progress OF this evil
has always seemed TO me- tina, this single and obvious
consideration should al termine, in favor of ib
redusfy claimants, every question ofreasonable doubt
In regard 10 the powers OF the Federal Government:
II the power has not been delegated, aud ought TO he
an easy thing, 20 bssOw H. and il will instantly be
done; but the power has be and ought not
70 have bfen, II will be found hard task 10 wresI
from the grasp OF tba, mighty Government .Nuiia
osstgt0 ,retf0rSupi, Sc.-Let us bear these thng :
perPetuaHy Ia mind, in dIcussDs The measures 10 be
pursued in The present juncure. As these principle.
nave here ofofe deter mined, they sl will direct our
course. With personal predictions and anpal bes
In the capacity OF patriots and ststesmsn we have NO
a l..