Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1834-12-09

Die tendency Of the conflicts that to follow madden
ed they must be by the constant goadngs Of vena
press Docs any doubt that much of the violence
and bitterness Of party spirit and much of the amcnta
Cam ay one doubt that the direct tendency of
these things Is towards military despotism The bat
ties which now fought upon the hustings and dec
ded at the polls, must be fought in the open field
and decided by the sword instead Of measuring the
strength oil parties and awarding the victory upon
count, TO the plurality Of votes soon measure
the strength Of arms and after trial by battle award
triumph TO the conqueror; instead of cectng Pres-
dent to administer the laws must be to choose
ruler 10 his subjects and reward his followers
The soldier who fights under the banners of hero and
expects his reward the distribution of the spos OF
quest is always unwilling impose any restraint the
power of his chief in the disposition of those spols We
remarkable illustration of this truth in the conduct
OF those who maintain the unlimited power Of the PIcsi
dent over the whole patronage Of the Government and
who zealousy defend all his
Will Virginia take sides for against this dangerous
tendency, these dangerous doctrines, The GOOD old
has already taken her stand in OPPOSE
ton TO thcm and il becomes her to do whatever she pos
sbly can and righully may do, to avert these evil
sequences IL becomes her TO dispose of the very.
little patronage which she possesses manifest the
sincerity of her faith in the doctrines which she advo-
Gates, teach sy her example .han by her
precept, the proprety of rcwardng merit in the officer
rather than zeal in the partzan. 1t becomes her in
especial manner by withholding her patronage from the
editors OF newspapers to leave the political press entirely
Tree; neither stimulating il, ON the hand, TO in
discriminate Difference OF the of government
nor restraining on the other the full exercise of its
serial power.
When, few days since, MIR. Speaker, called upon
our political friends to manifest their actual strength
by railying under the banner of the Constitution and
laws, II were understood to indicate wish dispose
OF the patronage of the government upon consdera-
understood did not think that we were then about 70
besow any part of the patronage of the government
The office which about be filled be regard
cd us am oiice oil emoumcnt; we were about to select
one of our own members To preside our dclbera-
tons,an act which in times of party controversy is
usually looked as furnishing the first indication of
party strength knew full we'll that whilst our adver
saries would muster i'll solid column, that OCCASION
they We're endeavoring to thin ranks by appeal
TO our liberay and thus give false appearance abroad
To the state OF parties at home. felt il my duty give
caution against the attempt, and acted accordingly
But when TO dispose of the important the per-
nanent Offices ofthe government that of Attorney Gene
raj or Judge for example, shall endeavor dvcst my
sell OF all influence from considerations of party politics
snail look to the qualifications of the candidate with
single eye to the question, whether party politics will
be advanced but whether the public interest will be pro-
NOTED by his election The conduct OF the candidate nc
political PARTISAN will influence my vote only SO far
as IT may furnish evidence of his fitness unness for
the office he seeks. In especial manner | would
guard against the influence of party spirit i'm the appoint
ment of officers connected with the administration of
justice Within its sanctuary, the voice of party spirit
is heard the ministers of justice put the ha-
biments Of party at its portals and enter its halls with
hearts purified from ITS prcjudices, and minds elevated
above its influence
If, Mr.. Speaker, am wrong in supposing that the
patronage of the government should not be bestowed
upon the Editor of political paper yet is difficult TO
conceive how the Editor of the Enquirer can entte
the reward of faithful official service because that is the
exact merit of his competitor it be due to him
from tins assembly reward for political service;
for surely cannot be expected of them reward the
political service of their opponent and constant
revilcr AT the last session of the Legislature, Mr..
Richie continued in office by the beraity some of
his political opponents, and he lost time in forf.tng
hs title to their continued confidence, by indicate
publication in the Enquirer inpcachng the motives of
members who had voted against him.
! have now explained to you the which will
induce me to give my vote to Samuel Shepherd the
trad xun hal al.
Office, rather than to Thomas Richie the Editor who
has shared with him the profits.
Mr. Hoheman said he should have considered il unnc
cessay for him TO offer any remarks this subject but
that there was one view which had not been taken by
those who preceded him. He pleased TO see that
gentlemen were candid enough to place the its
true grounds. lie to the conclusion last winter
that the opposition to Mr. Richie mainly of poll
teal naturc-and would state the House the reasons
OF that conclusion. When the nominations were first
made, the House did understand the relations sub
sisting between Richie and Shepherd. 1t was stated
generally that Shepherd the honest mechanic who
performed the duties OF the office, and that Richie
Joyed all the honour and profits The explanations then
made, were nearly those made by the gentleman
from Ilttsylyania: That Richie received 800 for his
services in revising &C. and that Shepherd received 1850
for his mechanical skill in experimenting the printing
Office That after deductino all other expenses the net
profits equally divided between the two as Joint
partners under the firm and style of Samuel Shepherd
~ Co. He came to the House that occasion with the
Intention of voting for Thomas Richie but on hcarino
these explanations and believing the urged en-
titled to some weight, he willing to take from Tho
honour political influence OF the
cc and give to those who really dschargedthe duties
lie therefore nominated Samuel Shepherd 81 Co.. and
was found in most distinguished minority of one Not
single man voted with him; which proved conclusive
ly to his mind that the object of the Opposition was TO
put down Thomas Richie. 1t was pretended that we
could not elect company to Office, the ground that we
did not know of whom it consisted or by whom n bond
was TO be executed although had just heard that il con-
sisted of Sam Shepherd and 1hos Richie 1t was am OBJ
Jecton which would apply to Gales d Seaon. or any
other firm, and was too ridiculous be stated to men Of
plain common sense Gentlemen now frankly admit
the true grounds of their opposition he political
nature. Is 1t right then, said Mr.. H.. that Thomas
kitclnc should be turned out of this Office on such
grounds 1t Is useless TO speak of prescription in other
States, when these very gentlemen who make such bit
ter complaints, bring that principle into action here to be
exercised on all occasions against their political op
ponents They talk of prescription in others when they
themselves ilerod Ierod. They about to apply
IT in manner open and fragrant as has ever been
known in this country. And if they succeed in turning
out hos itcme, they may turn out every officer i'm
virginia, on similar grounds Your Auditors and Trea-
surer, would follow next, if their political opinions
should be displeasng to the dominant party In this
case the prescription is of character the most odons
For, do you not observe the extent to which gentlemen
go: They not only elect Shepherd in preference to the
old incumbent, but they elect him with a condition re
cedent that he shall remain in partnership with
lhos. ltitchic. They impose conditions on the man
whom they elect in order 10 make their victory the more
complete over the present incumbent They Interfere
with Mr. Shepherds business arrangements i'm advance
Mr.. Witcher here asked if the gentleman from Isle Of
wight alluded to what he had said the
ship between Mcssrs. Richie and Shepherd
Mr. lolenan said, lac understood the gentleman from
Ptsyvana to say, that he had called to nterrogate Mr.
Shepherd in relation to the business and that IN reply
I.uI. Al