Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1832-11-09

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man who has thought sufficiently on any subject, 10 have
any thing deserving 10 be called an opinion for, all such
must have noticed The changes which have occurred in
their own honest convictiens: but, when i'm the ewes of
the whole nation, at an important era in its affairs, and by
a prominent and highly Influential character, an opinion
has been enthusiastically advocated and zealously acted
upon. and, then, under. a change Of CIRCUMSTANCE , an
opinion adapted TO the change, aud directly conflicting
with the former, comes TO be still more enthusiastically
advoested; ami with this now profession, comes also q
bold denial, that tic first opinion ever was entertained or
acted ~upon;-when such a course is pursued by , man
who still enjoys with a large portion OF his fellow citizens
themselves second to none in public spirit and higi, toned
honor, unbounded confidence in his patriotism aud integ-
nty,-it becomes the duty Of every honest man, who
knows the facts, to sPsak out. love of truth and Of coun-
Try aiike forbid, that imposture SO gross be suffered TO pre-
vaiI;-ttat effrontery so reckless be allowed to succeed, as
the very means OF confirming the deprayed in q pernicious
influence over the honest. + therefore resolved, that so
Tar as my public efforts could prevent it, the people of
Virginia, at least, should not be thus imposed upon; and |
and proceedings OH the tariff OF 1916. Mr.. Calhoun has
now stepped from behind the scenes, and a new effort i,
called for, in the cause OF truth and OF country. l now
therefore, claim at your hands, the insertion Of This COM
munication, with the subjoined extracts, as an sccompani-
ment TO his letter. Let every man who has a thought Tor
his country, give me his attention. Let every man who
becomes convinced that I ann right, give me his aid.
ence now welded by Mr.. Calhoun, is SO obviously direct
ed, there aie other considerations which command this ef-
fort. III this man no longer cSisted,-or il, by the unaui.
nous Reproduction of his countryinen, he had already be- en-
struck with that impotence, which is yet. 1 trust, to sigma
ize his career,-it would still be highly necessary 10 ex-
pose his imposture. The Tariff of 1916 makes mn eroclpin
the history OF this Union. In itself, that measure was Sc
cond in importance TO none that has proceeded from the
Federal Government. In its Interior consequences, il now
threatens 10 provo that il was pregnant with mischief i'm
calculable. THEN was laid, G%roiccdiy and deliberately,
aud upon the broddest scale, the foundation of the Pro
TScTIvE SYSTEM; and then, also, was erected the main
edihcc which that foundation vas TO support. Every SUBJ
sequont measure has been but a work OF detail fully
justified by tho original plan, and demanded by the po-
Icy then advocated by MIR. Calhoun. To hi. work
he contributed every effort of which he was capable /;
and ho did so in tho face of opposition which pointed
out its defects. This opposition has been fully justified by
IA raa AMI = A.. y.ry t..nl. ,tf.b NJ. ~ 4 .a., H.
most active man in the nation TO entail upon Us. The sys.
tom is inherently bad, considered with refer enco 10 any
country. IL rcsts upon views, which, though specious,
arc fallaciou'. and rcPugnant TO final truths regarding tho
nature OF industry and OF wealth. To a country 50 extern
sive as ours, comprising SO many variant intcrests-inte-
rosts which, though variant, would, il left TO themselves,
accommodate themselves TO each other; but which are in
evitably brought into dangerous conflict, by any attempt
by government to regulate hem-ihe system is particu-
larly inopplicsble. 1t would he so, were we one consoli-
dated nation. 1t becomes SO in the last extreme, in con-
sequence OF the nature of our Union, OF our institutions.
and OF our political habits. II the proof of this be wanted,
look at the fact, that it IL at This moment shaking our Union
TO its very centre, that union, which, in itself, is be-
yOnd all price and which would be so still, if no
positive results whatever flowed from it. If the Pro-
tecive System could then add TO the wealth of a ma
tion,-it this were not, as II is, an empty illuson,-if
IFS certain effect were TO realise the golden dreams OF its
most sanguine advocates, and TO augment ever so much
The wealth OF a nation, what compensation would this he
Tor that one, incalculable evil which il draws after i'll
sui, this system, as a system, as a permanent system for
the country, was strenuously advocated, and, in the face
OF strenuous opposition. openly and avowedly established
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yond the possibility of doubt, was the character of this
measure. IL, then, in relation to a measure such as this,
and in a country like this, tho truth can be cficctually sup
pressed-if, in oar country, where every man is free TO
speak and TO write; with a press in every village, aud a
mail TO every door,-if, in any corner OF our country, or at
any single fire-side in its wide extent, such a production
as this letter of MIR. Calhoun can obtain permanent be-
lief-wher ia the hope for governments resting upon the
Intelligence of the people;
The evidence 10 which l deem it my duty TO call the
attention Of my fellow citizens, will prove beyond all pos
sibility Of doubt, that Mr.. CaIhoun was, in The strictest
sense of the term, a most Jealous advocate of the Proiec-
tive System-that, TO the utmost limit of his capacity or
influence, he exertcd himself to have the foundation OF
that system laid on the 6Toddest possible scale; as a sys-
TEN, aud as a permanent system, for making the nation
secure and independent,-for encouraging American in
dus,ry"-iorp providing investments for capital-for Great
Ing a home market for agricultural produce, and a domes-
tic supply Of all the wantsOF the agriculturist. Connect
ed with the conclusive prof Of this fact, will be the proof
also, that there is scarcely a sentence in MI. Calhoun's
letter which does not comprise, with regard TO the mea-
sures OF that period, one or many statements tohich re-
eeipe numerous, direct and pointed contradictions from
the published records OF the country.
Aud should this be conciusively demonstrated, can there
be a doubt as TO the result? Can such a man, when held
up in his true character, continue to exercise even a local
influence over the minds of the honest! Can he continue
TO find favor with the noble and lofty spirits of tho Pal
meito State! If this can bell such be the omnipotonce
oil party spirit, alas! for my country.
a FRIEND TO TRUTH.
D-.-