Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1834-10-24
TO TIfE EDITORS OF THE ENQUIRE
THE REV T. VAN RENSsLl A

GENTL EMEN-E Entertaining the belief that the Editors
oil weilconduced public journals in the habit Of
publishing any thing TO the prejudice Of private
we were little surprised 10 ind in the Enauircr of The
81 instant gross assault upon the character OF the Rev
Z Van Rensselaer,, 10y writer who signs himself "a
Citizen OF Charlotte. We cay "a gross assault because
the writer deliberately declares his APPRECIATION of toast
drank 'oak'ey Ch.r'oe in which that gentleman is n-
directly charged with mgang resurrection. This toast
was published in the Whig OF July, without explanation
or comment OF any sort; and presume your adverse
politics alone deprived your columns the honour OF being
gtaced with the rfiuson b
wha, can be the motive of this attack upon Mr. " RS
Character, We cannot conceive. Ii there had been any
thing DANCE in the tendency Of his doctrines was
an easy matter 10 have placed il before he public in dis
unct and tangible shape His certainly had eycry
oppo t"nl OF informing himself on he subject Mr.. "
X preached, Tor many months, 10 the Rev Mr. Oedens
cougregsoI-and TO hundreds OF slaves, in the hearing
Of their masters Yet the worthy writer has not
proper cite or opinion 10 proye Thai
the "Rev Gentleman is entitled the no.
nour he has bern pleased tc assign him.
"a Citzenof Charlotte" makes sort Of lie fl ndcd ad.
msson that MI V. a.. entirely destitute OF hiends
such as they says "tha beirg countensneed by
few wealthy Individuals, win not sHord screen from
popular odnn, when tho power is in hands OF the
ldiling class as IL happily is in this part Virginia
seems. the "Citzen could not ell get over the fact
OF Mr. v. r. having friends, lie deie rInnes 10 dis.
credit their testimony, by making 'he pariicrps eri-
ms Iii truly hard case, that because lac was unable
10 get single wealthy individual" TO tun STATE. evil.
deuce the credit ,nd reputation ct te ''cass'' ia whom
There happily no P0totr should be ssceed aioug with
Mr.. w. II.
From the fiumyhsn, flourish about "popular odium .
with which "Czen OF Charlotte closes his letter we
judge he must be The oracle Of he "mddlng class" in
whom all power is so happy lodged As SUCH beg TO
inform him, in the anu behalf OF "a lew Athy in.
dviuas tina, the fears OF popular Odu will never deter
them HON counenancng and defending innocent aud
unoending individual And, furthermore We would beg
this champion OF "the mijdling class inform u.s. in our
o,cn behalf, what right have "sgars Brethren 10 exer-
else the sole political power OF this any other part Of
Virginia!
One word to you, Mes,rs. Edtors.-As you have been
Inadvertently, we hop-) the instrument OF
these offensive charges against Mr. v. r., we think you
are hound to make every reparaon in your power. Yon
see at once the cruel injustice OF throwing onus pro.
co"d MS The Lawyers have it, upon The Shoulders OF
v. H. III requires no profound acquaintance with The
principles oil Justice 10 know. that in the OF
criminal law the act SHOULD be forth with all tie pre-
csion which accompanying circumstances can give H.
How lar these principles have been adhered in Mr. "
KS case, we leave You 10 judge. 1ONESTUS.