Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1838-02-13
TO THE EDITOR.


TO THE EDITOR
"WAsuISGroS, 10th Feb 1898
"lf we are 10 believe the Federal letter. writer's eo.
quence OF The highest ORDER is very common nifl in
our fortunate country They runsack and exhaust The
English language for hypebolca ephets wherewith to
uud the objects Of their hired a,uation IA is ren,nrked
by foreigners, That we are, above all Others n people
prone to exaggeration Every thing with us is Splendid
or magnificent and unsurpassed there is no medium,
no moderation. This observation is at least correct
when applied 10 the manner in which we speak of our
public men. We laud them in language which would
be extravaganza, if applied 10 a Demoshtnes Cicero,
Chatham, or Burke. This is not merely bad taste;
II IS an evil which exerts most banelu influence upon
The character and efforts Of candidates for distinction.
They are spoiled before they are natured they
tented with premature Efforts since the highest excel.
ience could not win for them greater applause. Who
will strive for price which is so uvsy distributed 10
Inc Pettiest petenders the puniest competitors! The
epllep'c eloquence of Mr.. - the mandy ::pnmby
pretllness OF MIR. -; the vocilerous runtings of
MIR. --, are lauded with admiration which should
only be bestowed upon the sublimest efforts OF human
genius.
"The creatures who are employed at Washington to
cater for the Federal press, have reduced this absurd
putting TO yular system One thing at least Is 10 be
admired in their productions; il is the ingenuity with
which they continue day after day, 10 vary aud diversity
the epithes of extravagant luudaon with which they
beprase ind bespat,er their favoes II would appear
that they keep of stereotyPed vocabulary Of all
the euogistic Terms with which our language abounds
They have nothing then 10 do but and apply
them with the slightest discrimination. Many Of The
speeches which they praise they do not hear
Their euog les are often written and despatched before
the oratons spoken-lnsances, indeed, have hap.
pened, when the speeches thus auded in advance, have
from accident never been delivered. Distant readers
would not be little vexed, were they aware how they
quzzed and imposed upon by the spendiary press
gang at Washington.
"But, great is the admiration which they affect for
,he by whose party they employed, it does not
exceed their ordy contempt for every effort which
from the other side. Did you credit them, you would
suppose that by singular coincidence, all the TALENT
all the knowledge in the country monopolized by
the Federal party. They do not content themselves
with general terms Of derogation They ascribe
gentlemen of the opposite party, language and sen
ments which they never uttered and habually publish
the ialsest carcaures Of what is spoken by them.
"'rhis system has been pursued successfully for
the last few years, that it hard to dsabuse the public
mind 1t amusing to witness the surprise of Strangers
who come to Washington, with the notions of men and
things, which have been nslled into them from so pol
uted source. ] think can say with perfect TRUTH
that there n Of any purity, who came here
during the extra session, who did not go away with i'm
pressons the very opposite Of those which he had brought
with him. ! defy oil contradiction, when state that
the honosof the discussion, especially in the Senate
were most decidedly with the Republican party. Not 10
cite Others it may be Observed that the speeches OF
Messrs. Calhoun Wright, Benton, Buchanan &c, were
efforts Of the highest order and worthy of lasting pre-
servaton Even the best speeches made against u.s.
rather against our particular measure, were delivered by
gentlemen of our party viz hessrs. Rives and King
OF the Opposition it may be truly said, that their efforts
fell far below public expectation Mr. Webster, able
this important occasion. OF Mr. Clay is impossible
speak the honest TRUTH without giving objectionable Of
fence 10 his idoizng paarizans. His great speech
this OCCASION by the general admission of friend and foe
proved melancholy abortion. Those who had heard
him before, and who came here with the most exalted
ideas Of his eioquence, could scarcely believe the evil
dence OF their Neither in expression thought
did his effort rise above nedocry Through four long,
III.
burden great to his auditors to himself: The
only apology explanation, which could hear from
his disappointed friends, was, that question Of f.
nance was not MIR. CIays forte. required not their
assurance to be convinced of this. II was but too
evident So egregious this failure, that for
once least the papers and writers devoted TO his
interest could echo back but faint applause. After
this catastrophe you may judge Of my when
hear the Senator from Kentucky INDUCING, is
his won't dctaoriu tone in financial discussions oo
towards ouch Silas Wright. trequires no lit
tie GOODNESS in him 10 affect dsdantul air towards
who, such questions at least immeasuraby his
superior. 1 know that this language will be deemed
treason, if sacriege, by the worshppers of Mr. Clay
but it is nevertheless just and true Far be it from
TO wish TO undcrrae the Orator Of the FEST No
could achieve the distinction which he has acquired
without great qualities testify only 10 what have
heard aud seen.
GAS this letter has, without predetermina,ion been
much devoted 10 MIR. Clay will bring it 10 close with
notice of his ludcrous mistake in incidental dis
cusson that took place The other day lie reproached Mr.
Wright, whom he haunting y denominaed the Chance
Tor Of the Ezchefuer for not ro,ong up the seals !
Now, ii is great crime, in Ex.Speaker, Elk. Com
missioner 10 Client, ExSecretary Of State and
permanent candidate for the Presidency, 10 confound
the Chancellor of the Exchequer with the Lord High
Chancellor of England; but hope if the distinguished
Senator has again occasion to allude Great Britain
he will not cononnd the Lords of the Treasury with those
of the Bedchamber. Such kind of knowledge is per-
haps not imporlan but mistakes absurd are par
donabe in Statesman Of Mr. Clays high pretensions
| know that for wha, have just written, am doomed
incur the indignant denunciaons Of political devotecs
But most sincerely deeming il TO be the unvarnished
truth, feel not the slightest hesitation in committing it
TO paper.
With great respect, your friend and servant"
FOR TIE ENQUIRER.
THE SPECIAL DEPOSITE SYSTEM
MIR. Wrigts bill and SPEECH in support Of that bill.