Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1838-03-17
no TIE EDITOR

"WAsHISGToS. 18th March, 1888.
~ should not perhaps, have addressed you again. but
tina, it might be supposed l had been driven from the
field BY the paltry newspaper squibs which have been
called forth by my triHing eusion So far from being
annoyed, however, have been not little gratiied, by
these proofs that my humble efforts The cause
which am devoted have not been entirely without eff.
feet Were disposed 10 continue my correspondence,
should want no better encouragement, than these evil
dences Of the OF my advesaes. cannot help
wishing however, but for the sake OF their authors
than my own, that these Pointess pasqunades were
couched in less clumsy phrase, and enIVened by the
slightest imprrgnation Of satire. They certainly derive
their pungency from any other condiment rather than
attic salt. Gould indte such matter would indeed
deem myself 'scribbler, and that very sorry one.
"Without admitting the correctness of the suspicious
with regard TO the author of your Washington Cores
pondence, repe the doctrine, in tmine, that public
officer is not entitled 10 the expression Of his political
opinions. This is The very doctrine, against which the
party in opposition has been contendIng so long, and
with such iypocrilical velemencr. Or rather, these
gentlemen insist that public officer should be allowed
10 take open and nctve part against the Government
which employs him. and yet not be permitted to lift up
voice or pen in its favor. Whit beautiful and
sslenl theory The notions of these people are as alb
surd as their is welched and their principles ouse
They have not yet learned the abecedary elements Of
Liberty Their eloquence is rant their ZEAL the fanat
csm of sel6shness; their PATRIOTISM wretched can't
Now the true doctrine this subject is simply this
man has no business to hold Office under Govern
ment against which he feels himself constrained 10
sumo an attitude of active hostility; and he may, not
only without indecucy, but with perfect proprety,
defend an Administration by which he Is employed
in the public service, provided, that in so doing, he
advocates principles to which he is really DEVOTED.
public officer is not slave, and by accepting place
forfes none Of the rights which he possesses in common
with his fellow citizens. 1t is disgracefu only to barter
priociple for place. and TO hold it upon The condition,
taci, or expressed that and doctrines before
demued shall receive mercenary support This is the
true Distinction although docs not seem to have
tered the heads Of the silly declamers against office
holders, in and out of Congress w lille am on This
subject may well remark that the supposliIon That
all The public officers devoted 10 The Administration
is an exceedingly erroneous The Opposition had
better suy as little possible about o5ce.holders, lest
thew wound some Of their most efficient irends-But
whether your correspondent be be not public
want is not matter of much public interest All will
say is that it is such silly cant which shall make
me desist from my literary abors if am disposed 10
continue them. When MIR. Clay shall have been elect
ed he may punish me to his hearts content, if am in
his power This, you will say however, is not very for
| nidable contingency.
But whence This uncommon sensveness of The Fe.
deral party 10 newspaper ullacks Have they not more
Than wohrds of the papers in The country in their ia
yora Are not nine out of ten of The hired etterwers
in their paw, With this formidable proportion, it seems
10 me- they might we'll be content But, SO accustomed
ARE thew to this monopoly among the rest that they treat
every Door "Republcan scribbler, like myself as a
poacher on their private manor way, t1ey become IN.
the field by insulting outrage and coarse personality II
events of Iecen. occurrence had not given The public
mind disuste for means OF another character, hey
would doubtless be had recourse TO- in case OF the failure
of the others to which have alluded
nBut, Sir can easily account for the peculiar acrmo
nv which has been exhibited towards my humble sell
II Is because have endeavored TO strip The veil which
covered the deormity Of the federal idols because
have exposed with contempuous sarcasm, the mPu-
dent ouackery Of certain much vauned politicians VINO,
Without single high qualification, have, by sheer DIM!
Of oasconade and efronery, achieved spurious but
short lived no6riey which is an insult to the taste and
character of the nation is because have laughed 10
mansbiu of Certain prelenders in Congress, whom the
Fsderalists would ain make us believe surpIss whase
ves Of great and glorious the scroll of history 1t
!. because have been made sick BY the nauseang TO-.
cen,e offered to these contemplate IDOLS Is nessase
mn nrde, as an American, has revoted at The adorsuoh
asrsd bz abiect seryilty to vulgar vanity and PfesumP