Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1834-04-25

been nearly unanimously re-etecee"' neie ""o
no opposing candidate, and but few votes
thrown to other persons in the district-a
commitment credtable to the constituents and
highly honorable to the Representative.
No nrint in this country knows better the
whole art of backing and filing" in politics,
than the Richmond Enquirer. 1t is as true to Its
peculiar principles, as the vane on the steepe Is
obedient to tine wind that blows We predict
ed-not upon paper, because that might nave
frightened the Enquirer from its propriety, .
in the case,-but we predicted, when the Pro-
test appeared, and knowing that it would not,
could not, be favorably received in Virginia.
that the Enquirer would pursue its accustomed
course-hesitate dislike, and yet extol its me-
rits-reject in part, and yet approve in the
whole; and, finally, go through all the old dou-
blings which it has followed to free itself from
the odium Of supporting anti-republican doc
trnes, while it still continues to uphold and de-
fend, through thick and thin, unaduterated
Jacksonism And we have not been mistaken.
"Richard is himself again." Hear him.
owe are free to confess, that we would ra.
Their not have seen so long and elaborate pa
tration. Able and eloquent as it is in its COM
position, it is impossible to frame any such do
cument, without throwing into it much that is
debatable, much that is susceptible of miscon-
ception, and more Of misrepresentation"
And again:
cit was peculiarly desirable for all the friends
of the Constitution to unite together, to march
on shoulder to shoulder against the common
enemy, instead of debating abstract PROPOSE
tons and answering the general objections OF
their opponents"
And again:
| ''But there is one passage in it which the OPP
! position have seized upon in the harshest man.
ner and which is entitled to particular notice.
1t relates to the custody Of the public money.
Now, we admit at once that Congress has the
right TO place the public funds, not only in what
sover places they may please but in whosever's
hands they please. We contend, that " the
custody and control of the moneys of the Unit
ed States, not appropriated by law, are, by the
| Constitution, placed under the order and dlrec-
ton of the Congress of the United States"
The Enquirer then goes on TO "suppose it
scarcely possible that Gen. Jackson means to
deny this position"-" cannot suppose, whate-
yer may be the hasty phraseology of other parts
! of the Protest, that he intended to claim ge
neral control over the public purse" and "pre-
sumes" that the passage, properly " and fairly
interpreted, was intended to admit, without qua
LITIGATION, that Congress have the right to make
any laws on the subject, for its security and safe
keeping
But" adds the Enquirer, {" we are free to
confess, that no possible doubt should be per.
mitted to exist upon this great principle; that
there are expressions which ought to be eX-
planned by the President HIMSELF and we are
! prepared to say in the face of this People. that
if he does not disclaim the meaning which has
! been ascribed TO them we most SG{e1nRLy protest
against this meaning. We solemnly disclain
| the dangerous and eXtravagant doctrine which
it would involve"
And then, as if afraid Of the tone of elevated
feeling which is permitted to be heard,
- he back recols
Fen at the sound himself had made
and whines out
I'VE should regard it as one of the greatest
miSfortunes which could happen to us, if the
confidence Of his countrymen were shaken in
the democratic principles of A. Jackson. We
should deem it peculiarly unfortunate, if bad
precedent should be set by so popular and re-
spected Chief Magistrate as Andrew Jackson
Bold and bad men may come after him, who
may abuse his example"
The Enquirer then slides into denunciations
of the Bank, and so ends the Chapter.
| Now, after the unpractised reader has finish
ed these quotations. he will be apt to imagine
that the Enquirer is about to take Independent
ground and oppose, at least, the Protest No
No. No fear of that. The Protest will be de-
fended that is, every man who defends the Pro
test will be lauded by the Enquirer, and every
man who opposes it will be denounced. The
Enquirer will itself fight shy-let its correspon-
dents speak-and maneuvre for month OF
two; but all the time working for the one great
purpose which it seems now to have in view
the success of party By and by, the Protest,
like the Proclamation, will be swallowed whole,
with "mental reservation as to all question
able powers claimed and all principles of con-
solidation advanced, and the shout will still
continue to be, Hurra for Jackson " and his
successor"
How much more worthy Of the Enquirer to
take bold and independent stand-to renounce