Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1833-10-15

Rives. Very well. No doubt "Mutius'' will make on
clear And If the evidence will hold out, let hin
lug 10 the verdict OF guilty thrice guilty. against VIM
q. Rvss. But, Mr. Editor, humby think, that time
truth preparing different OF sentence and tina
WIN. c. Rves will yet be sustained by Virginia, tn,
firm politician
i IL Is not my intention now, to take up Mr.. Rives
speech or to defend its positions only take my to
lutte an argument, adduced with much apparent triumph
by "Muiius, 10 prove Mr. Rves guilty OF Inconsistency
IN his speech in the Senate OF the lhh February. The
clause in "aIutiu'" commences with the following words
kecurring Senator Rives, let us enquire whether his
consistency is unassaable." He then quotes what MIR
Rves says OF the Tariff where he truly says: " consi
der unjust in principle, inc xpeden practice oppres
sive and unequal in its operation in short, abuse
power, contrary TO the true genius OF institutions
Aud then what is the Inconsistency in the eyes OF "Mu
uus" Why, Mr. Rives advocated the "Force Bill, and
remarked, sour oaths TO support tho Constituonour
highest duties to our country, (Which having right to
demanded at our hands, proper and eectual provisions
Tor the execution OF the laws in question" "Mutius''
here attempts 10 make Mr. Rves that the Tariff
are both equal" and "unequ,."
Mr. Rives here, be obvious TO every unpreju-
diced reader, refers TO the existence OF the Tariff laws
rather than to their These laws had been passed
by majority in Congress- and SUCH considered
by that majority equal; and while they Idcs
existence passed by the legislature of the nation, MIR
tves considered his duty obey them, and while they
were laws unrepeated by the proper authorities they
demanded equal execution. "Murius' knows very
wen, that VIM. e. Rves has waged constant, deermn
ed, Incorporating war against the Tariff. He knows
that he, along with Mr. Randolph and other patriotic
members OF Congress, opposed the Tariff from the first
How then could he now, after having recorded his oppo
uon 10 The very ground OF its inequality, pronounce il
equaR
Here, Messrs Editors, is the difference between Mr.
kives and "Mutius." The fights the arin in the
pale OF the Constitution the other out OF it, Mr. Rives
desires repeal OF unequal laws, "Mutus desired vio
lent infringement OF them The one is willing to attempt
all constitutional resisance the other will away
laws and Constitution, and appeal the ultima
ratio The doctrines OF the pregnant with
chy and confusion the other with mdness and justice
What is the remedy against unequal aws Isit destroy
the government! What is the remedy against une.
quail policy Is it TO fly in tho face OF government, and
tear its eyes ou What is the remedy against supposed
violations OF the Constitution? Is il march against that
Constitution ITSELF and dash il the earth. Here sir
the mistake with utius, and here sir is the mistake
which has destroyed all governments existing
amongst men, The effects of unconstitutional
is infinitely worse tan ogre ssion. The
one opens road for the ambitious trampe ber-
ties; the other, by appeal TO the first principles of our
government, may be corrected
But the history OF government does not leave me
without an illustration OF my idea We all will admit
that The embargo was "unequal," oppressive; but
what was the language OF the Southern politicians when
this TO be carried into effect? Did they in voices
oil thunder demand equal execution of the embargo
laws! Did they throw open the ports of the Norh and
close those OF the SOUTH Let gentlemen refer back 10
the debates OF those times, and they will see, that the
whole horde OF Southern politicians though they admit
ted the inequality of the laws demanded their execution.
And why! Let John Randolph and VIM b. Giles answer
The question: Because they wished TO defeat the very
evil which Mr.. Rives wished 10 avoid Had the Hart
ford Convention succeeded in bullying Congress into
repeal OF those laws, they well knew that the govern
ment was gone. They well knew il would have fallen
beneath the weight of its nsgncance; and would
not have survived until 1892 to defend itself against
like and a more powerful attack.
will not enter into comparison of the Embargo md
the Tariff But il will be admitted on all hands, that il
oppressive than the tariff; still il must be
Gentlemen, had South Carolina succeeded in the mad
acts OF her Convention, then would the existence of our
government have been dated II was to defeat uncons
utiona resistance, that Mr. Rves voted for the
OF the laws Ii was to curb the unbrdled audacity OF
unshrnking and reckless politicians that voted as he
did appeal TO the candid say which ofthe two, VIM
y Rves or joan C. Calhoun, at this juncture occupied
the most enviable position: Which of the cred
the most patriotism and devotion to their countrys rights
from the very first. John c. Calhoun had been its friend
and allocate, had laid the first altar VIM
e. Rives had pointed out the issue with the finger of
warning John &. Calhoun had pointed 10 il the
OF our national prosperity and glory Anon the vessel OF
State, with Calhoun as its pilot, is rocks. Who
hen SIR remains in the vessel and bears the peling OF
boat, 'to the long boat is the cry. And oil the pilot
goes hing out the torch TO fire the ship she heaves
and founders upon the angry waves Who is in the ship?
Those who pointed out The danger. They are the men
who are striving TO keep her aloat.
My smile is true, and can produce facts establish it,
IL would not be difficult here prove, that The issue of
any other doctrines than those nded for by Mr. Rves
lead to political death While laws being, they must
he executed. And Congress mast have the power TO
cause their equal execution.
With great writer | will say,"I am not used to the
language OF panegyric." But il affords pleasure to
give my feeble aid in defence of who has
so much OF his country as VIM. &. Rves.
Why is il that he is the point of attack for the
whole horde OF nullers The question is easily answer
ed He has taken his stand the BRIDGE until Rome can
be saved, and he is determined TO resist the ndious
lacks OF the cunning and the ambitious. hope he will
maintain his siand and il he falls let il be when the last
citadel has been demolished and the whole Constitution
lies heap OF crumbling ruins the ground and
them like the patriotic Jews, let him attempt build with
trowel in hand and weapon Of defence in The other
There is indeed strange combination of attack against
MIR. Rives Every who has espoused the cause OF
John c. Calhoun, has up the charge, and they
have filled their arsenal with various weapons Every
draws its bow. From the school boy politician
who has just learned the definition OF law, the prac.
sed aspant for Office, who has missed of the spos II
is singular combination. And will conclude by asking
the former and present friends OF Henry Clay, why is
they do give him his full share OF blame for voting for
the Force Bil,' the " Bloody Bill" the " Botany Bay
Bill along with MIR. Rves. If this bill is horrid a
matter, why let all its advocates its aders and abeors
suffer for its existence DO not put VIM c. Rives
back all the burden. The times OF joint and well
may exclam 1" tempora mores."
CURTIUS.
FOR TIE Enquirer.
POLITICAL CHARACTERISTICS.
Passing through the lower part of Virginia, OF bust
ness excursion to the City of Baltimore, some what
amused and instructed the subject OF Politics, taken in
the common accepation of the term, which, at this time