Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1838-05-25
Richmond, Va, Friday, May 95.
4 CHAPTER at H07nc!!

Il CHAPTER at H0nnci
We are sensible, that we have too often nruded our
Editorial concerns upon the public atention-lt may
pear to SAVIOR of the "vany and egotisn" which the
New Era has charged upon us-but our course has
been SO much criticised, and we have been so much
abused that we sometimes think it duty to say word
in self defence. We pass variety of attacks, as
utterly unworthy Of notce-We pass over some of the
kind compliments, which said of u.s. by those
who differ from us-but not less sensible of them,
particularly at the present tme-and among these, we
pleased with the friendly remarks Of the Globe, and
the generous defence of the Argus OF hlalne-We know
that situation is somewhat unique Differing as we
do with the Wings on the National Bank, as well as
thousand other Questions-with the SubTreasurlsts,
upon their avore scheme; and with some OF The Con.
servatives about the General State Bank Deposlte-we
could scarcely escape the arrows OF all OF them
Accordingly, receive blows from all sides of the
house--but bear them coolly as we can-and we
certainly fogbear with our political friends with all the
good humor which wc can command We fight upon
our own hook, calmly most men-But we are spin.
ming long preface, chen we intended to offer but
line by way of introduction, to rather curious article
which beg leave TO copy from the Lynchburg Firgl.
man. upon ourselves-he most curious part of the pro-
ceedng is that sort OF defence OF our own course
from most decided Wing The Virgnian seems to have
done the honor Of studying our position on the field
but as he has done exac, justice in his descrp
ton we beg leave 10 offer few words Of our own, by
way Of "dehning our position, as Mr. Calhoun caUSa:
(from tie Lyuchturg Pirginian)
"BETwEES TWO FInEs-Thc 'Madisonian, the organ
Of the Conservatives attacks the Richmond Enquirer
in 'front.' and the New York New Era, an organ of the
Loco Focos, in rear-and both with equal venom and
yigor The Conservative reproaches the Enquirer with
deseron Of its princples-lhe Loco Foco with trea
son 10 lis party Neither of these papers, il is evident
understands any thing of the difficulties OF the Enqu
rers position If they did, they would be milder in
their language if charitable in their
The fact is, if the Enquirer had taken more decided
Conservative position, its feelings and judgment
prompted it to do, (a) Sub Treasury paper would
long since have been established in Richmond (b)a c
cums,ance which the Editor of the Enquirer would have
regretted less personal than political grounds; for,
whilst it would not have materially diminished The IN.
come Of the Enquirer, it would have eectually divided
and broken down the Administration party in this State.
(c) On the other hand had the Enquirer joined The Lo
CO Focos the Conservative party would have separated
from him, without doubt, and would either have remain
ed idle spectators Of the contest between the wings and
the Loco Focos, or would have taken decided GROUND
with the former. (d) The great object Of the Enquirer
has been 10 prevent either of these results (c)-and 10
keep the divisions of the Democratic patty nominal
" together, somewhat in the position OF EARNED neu
trails until the Of division removed by compro
mise upon the Special Deposite system, (Alr Van Bu-
rens second best, they may be again induced to coal
esce, and to with their former unanlm,y and zeal L)
And it is due TO the Editor Of the Enquirer TO say that
few could have managed so difficult matter with
superior tact or with greater success Ii IS true, The
Wings have triumphed in the late election; but their
triumph would have been still more complete, had the
Enquirer instead Of preaching compromise and conc
alton, taken decided ground IN favor OF either OF The
Conservatives of the Loco Focos. Hence, the re-
proach of treason TO his party made by the New York
Loco Foco editor is wholly unfounded 1t is rather 10
be attributed to his unbounded devotion TO his party
STRONGER il 10 u.s. than his PATRIOTISM ( that he
still abors unite those who divided by the broadcast
possible differences of opinion. in matter involving
principle well as expectancy. Mr. V. Buren, and his
friends far from having any reason 10 complain that
the Enquirers has lost them the Stale should
thank It's Editor for the prudence which prevented The
al Ia IafIn hn
will hardly profit by its sagacity, much as those
who complain loudest Of It's vacillang policy. h) En-.
deavorng to keep in with both wings of its party il Of
tends both, and povokes their bitter anmadvesions
while ii fights their battles in the most effective
manner. We shall expect TO see il formally discarded
by all parties, and fighting its OWL hook, in short
me unless the question which has produced this singu.
lar position Of things shall be settled much more spec
Oily and satisfactorily than now anticipate ~ In
that event. shall despair OF seeing the Enquirer
good Hhigi" (k)-(We strike out the last hit Of the
ViIginan, because it is old story; and will have
no room 10 day, repel il by explanations. But
may yet have it in power TO lay letter from Cen
jackson before the Public, which contributed to over.
all our doubts, about supporting him, and TO sub
due the "curse" hse!f)
(a) The Yirginian does not itself "understand
posttion." We have taken as decided a ConSerDa.
tire position, as feelings and Judgment prompt.
ed We 90 against the Sub.Treasury, because it
multplies The Executive machinery and Executive
paronoge because The public funds less safe in the
Banks; and because in its utmost purity it supersedes
the use of all Bank notes. the currency of the
Peop!eWe 60 against National Bank, for thousand
reasons It is unconstitutional nexpedient, and
dangerous ns,ituton.-We go against the Of State
Banks, general observation-disclosures against
the Banks discounling the public deposes-for
rety of reasons of which strongly set forth in
MIR Van Buren's Extra Message. We are not, there
FORE Conservative TO that exten,-But CO. have
gone since the Extra Session, for Special Opposite
systein-for system, which, under sufficient Iestric
TONS will allow the people 10 pay their dues in certain
Bank notes-and at the same time employs the State
Banks as special dpost0rcs Of the public funds Thus
we get clear of the multiplication Of Erecutioe oeers
secure the public funds, dispense with the stern equs
ton in all cases of gold and sver-and cut off the
Banks from any business operations the publc'dpo
stes-Take for example, the following heads Of Spe
cal Deposite system:
!. Receive such bank notes. as the Special Deposile
Banks NAV ogree to credit as cash.
This does away with the great discretionary power
which Mr.. Wrghts RepoI, assigns 10 the Secretary Of
the Treasury, under the resolution Of 1876
9 Let the Government settle every TO 90 days
with the Opposite Banks-and let the balance be special
" deposited lin separate chest in the Bank) in specie
or in available funds which the Treasury may want
elsewhere for the public disbursements.
The Bank of England settles up every day-,he
Banks of Scotland, twice week-he late Bank Of the
United States once week. The measure we propose,
would call for less frequent settlements; but it would
able the Depose Banks TO make arrangements for pay
ing up their balances to the Governmegt They would
of course call upon the other banks, whose notes they
had received for the public dues Those banks would,
therefore, take less offence Than under the old Pet Bank
system because the Deposite Banks less favored
not discoun,ing upon the public funds, they did, but
only receiving moderate commission for the service
they render 10 the Treasury This call for specie on
the other Banks is one Of the features Of Mr. Rvess
Billiard is ca cuated 10 contribute to check The
issues of their paper.-Another fact! Mr.. Whitney, in
his late structures Mr. Wrights Report states, that
Sin the latter part of the year 1885, of the largest
h,pt nd the nGt he
alarmed at the appearance of things they then
going on and with their minds filled with anxiety and
concern they wrote me, requesting that would endea-
10 prevail on the Secretary Of the Treasury to au