Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1832-04-27
o,o FOR THE ENQUIRER.
OBSTA pRIN CIPIIS

am one OF those, who fear that our free institutions
may soon be subjected violent test have not SOUGHT
iorimagnary sources of apprehension There is enoh
III the history OF the past and the present TO remind ne
mat those dangers which subvered the liberties of Greece
ana Rome, and OF which have been admonisbcd nv,
the iaaerS oil our country gathering fast and thick
around Who does feel that the pristine ior Of
our republics Pury-its exalted patriotsm-he gem
erous leryor OF American feeling and national pre
slowly yielding to the influence of selfish and sordd
btion, to faction and domestic strife? congratulate that
haPPy man VINO mas seen nosymptoms of premature de-
cay IN The features of our still Youthful repubic The
age OF our revolution is goneand with it, at neculiar
race oil men TO whom gave birth Their spirits had
Deen chastened by the memory OF British wrongs; they
knew now 10 appreciate the blessings of freedom for they
had elt the heavy of oppression But anotbcr ron
Grafton now occupies the stage. We have succeeded IN
the richest political inheritance which ever fell n t I,
of any people earth. As the free institutions of o
happy country have reflected the deformities of Furo,
despotsm, the American patro has looked forward viii
pride and eXutaton TO the time when the last sceptre
would fall from the grasp of its monarch and constitution
al liberty shed its broad mantle the earth But bov,
are 'hese bright visions to be rcasedl BY the sudden
ana violent announcement OF our Union-hc untold ho
rors OF civil Wharf.-The downfall Of our republican instih
tons, and the erection of hundred petty desposps an
their runs such are the awful calamites which threat
en- us why so: Let every lover of his country nom
der this queston-wby are these things? Let him no,
hearken to the voice of sentncls who cry calls well
when the enemy is in the gatele him read the his
tory oil ms distracted country from the columns OF par
zan seek for the cause as he seeks for e
remedy Of these evils. Let him read the sad epopb
which time has inscribed on all the republics of the corib
and learn there the history Of his own iii be not ayered
while yet il is possible.
The lust OF power made Caesar Emperor and Rome
the ootstool of tyrants. II power which besovs be
charm alike on the first honors of republic and the dia
dem OF the monarch An office without power is too poor
boon Tor beggar The executive power of all govern
ments, however restricted by constitutional barriers is
and always has been, the 'Aarons rod which swallowed
up the rest Though the Office of President of the United
states has been cautiously fenced round by our consni.
ton, still ISL rapidly becoming the chief and almost cx-
elusive concern OF twelve millions Of people. ii we
glance at the posture Of political affairs as exhibited in
The newspapers, should infer that government had
only been established, that might quarrel about the
choice OF chief magistrate. Who does not perceive and
who does not regret that this election is already engoss
ing all the anxetes Of twenty four States and controlling
almost every other political event in country? Press.
esparies and even whole States designated and la
beed IN the political vocabulary of the day, by their dc.
voiion TO particular candidates for this office PRINCIPLES
measures our foreign and domestic relations in fine every
thing down to the fashion Of snuff box is becoming sub
seryen to one object, and that object is the election Of
chief magistrate.