Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1838-01-06
P0LsTstS 8.
(FJDm me Globe

t'D tS S'NS
We have before Us u letter from n venerable Firginian,
who is distinguished for all those vr ues which gave so
much deserved ycnown 10 the Old Dominion nj the FIRST
dawn of out indeprDd nee. UnblemisiIrd integrity
lofty patriolis.n-uniaught wisdom, springing from The
fDuEtHins of an umcloudrd intellect of native vigor,
have given the writer an enviabIe reputation which be
has never sought 10 elevate Of that were possibly by
the pedestal OF high public station. In the srntimen ts
which we quote from this letter will be seen the traits
which enn"ble character. and which made the farmera
who conducted our Revolution, philosophers TO enligh,.
ened Europe.
E1truct from a letter Gnted
CLIFTON, IVA Dec. 10, 1887.
| have been a Woodworking man oil my life, aud have
hud but little time IL rend. But though could not work
and read, cnuld work and think. The current OF my
thoughts was naturally direclpd, in q considerable Mea-
sure, to the men selected by the people for the %gnsTdisn-
ship ct their librrt!es; the manner in which these men
sought and acquired their confidence, aud discharged the
duties which the sacred trust imposed. suppose. like
some other did men, ] um somewhat OF a GRO ker; but
] must say, that have kept my rye fixed upon the
conduct ui public men, from the adoption Of the pre-.
sent Constitution In this time. Though u youth, lis
tened with profound attention aud admiration 10 The
greut and guod men who discussed lis merits. |
am sorry To say see loo evidently u gradual declen.
sion in The patriotism Of politicians. and, OF course, in
the moral principle by which they are actuated. A sim
gle remark will ntioId uinple proof To those who have
lived as lung as have. refer 10 the cpnduct Of those
who have the management of the funds brluuging to the
Bank of the United Slutes. mot the misnnmrd Bank Of
Pennsylvania and ask whit would have been thought
OF q sci OF men " no wnuid p!undtT the Gnnus ui an IN.
slItu'iun dead TO all The purposes vi banking, stripped,
by the express terms Of lis charter. OF every privilege,
but those necessary TO the winding up OF lis concerns,
aud Irauduently pass these bonds or bills into circu-
lalIun Tor the benefit Of n new concern. that can have
no claim to them whatever either in law or equity
] venture 10 say they would have been held up 10
public scorn and execraIinn. But in The 81 degenerate
days, il is dignifed with the name OF great financiering.
For my own part, zee no difference brtween that end
any other robbery; md would as soon rob q church
IL has IODU hrpu a SuLIrct Of sp Vp Tr unInIu0y We rsIuD with
me; and ! have been surprised to hear il justified by no.
norable men. who were blinded by party spirit. ! am
very glad to find that the President has given it oiirial
notice, and put the community on their guard in rela-
ton 10 II.
/ once thought il unfortunate that Mr.. Madison gave
his sanction to that vile instrument of oppression in
1916. But nov think il was one among The many eyi.
drnces of a rrovidence waichfnl over our Government,
that ought to be, and continue free. But for that error,
il would mol have exhibited itself in al! lis atrocity. All
who are not wiliulIy blind, will hold up their hands in
utter astoDishmcnt, not only 10 see men so daringIy vi.
ciuus. but to see honorable men pass over such acts as
ought, in Ii court vi record, To consign the chief peTpe.
trnfor to inlany and disgrace, and almost openly applaud
his deeds.
Pardon me, prny you, for adding a passing cbserva.
ton upon the Presidents Message. admire The con.
ciIiatury terms in which he encourages The friends OF
free government, 10 hrul thrir dlscord upon a qles-
ton comparatively Of minor Imp"tinncr, The adnp-
ton of the Special Drpns'le which is essentially the
Sub-TIeasury system. My only fear Is, that 1t VIII
be difficult to guard against lis farming q part OF the
funds Of the State Banks, upon which their issues
will be founded. Our opponents would glndly make
il a vital question:; whereas, the grea'. and, i-ar, aoId.
ing question is, whether the circulating medium OF lie
country, and with il the Iiberlirs Of The people. shall be
undr- the cuGirnl Of q cnrpnrair company for II IL idle
10 a,. of q money power in the hands ot a corporation,
sufficient To hold in check So mnny other corporate bo-
dies, which would nnl involve, as 4 consequence, The
power OF controlling the Government, and th" people.