Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1838-06-01
FOR THE E-I QVIHEf.
To The Rfpubiienns of PiypinW!

regarded necessary to secure a wise and brnefcrn
administration Of the powers of the Federal Government
and watchul jealousy Of The Executive department
In The early history OF The Republic, Federal encronch
ment, and liz tendency 10 annihiiae the rights of The
States and the reserved powers Of the people, taught
you The necessity OF combining the exercise OF the powers
OF The Government within the strict letter Of the Con-
sttulion and imposing ample and sautary checks upon
Inc Executive Administration. If we would recur to
these principles and examine them with canness, de-
liberation and Impartaily, could not but that
ny OF them are buried and others much obscurcd under
the operations of the Government for many years past
and so seeing, we could not but be admonshed that they
must ue again successfully asserted free nsn
tons, our Federal system and liberties, will be
overhrown and perish forever Our action hitherto, has
had reference 10 principles, not to The motto in
scrbed upon The Republican banner has always been,
Prtnttd non hOr,intS Under this Gag, with this
brilliantly inscribed upon il, you have fought many
well contested field, and achieved many splendid r
umph In these contests, your victories have been the
result OF the snundness OF your principles, md the force
Of ruthDepar from these and defeat and disaster will
ussuredy overlake and ovcrwhelm you with ruin-No
party can long be sustained by free and enlightened
people, that no: acluaed by pure and uraulteraed
parlosn and the glorious principles of liberty and free
government Let lis motives be impure, and its objects
unworthy; and although by the power Of patronage and
the force of discipline its ascendancy may be preserved
for time, yet lis ultimate destruction is certain
that OF the proud city which is overwhelmed by the
lunles Of flaming aYa. vomitcd from the bowels of the
destructive volcano ruin VIII prevail.
Hitherto you have regarded protective Tariffs, Inter.
nal Improvements by the Federal Government within
the Jurisdiction Of The States, aud National Banks as
corrupng in their tendency destructive of The rights of
the States consolidating in their effects, and dangerous
TO liberty. You have hitherto watched with unng and
srePess vigilance the power and patronage Of the Exc
cutive Department, and been excessively alarmed
every attempt to increase them. You have hitherto
viewed with great apprehension the extravaganza and
daily increasing expenditures Of The Federal Govern
ment, as tempting TOO strongly the fidelity of public
officers and the virtue OF the people, and threatening
system Of excessive and oppressive taxation Are these
things less corrupng, less dangerous, less tempting and
less destructive now, than heretofore when their thea
tire Of action much enlarged? Certainly not Is
not the ascendancy of these principles and these
threatening, than al any former period of
history? Are they not around and about us in fearful
force ready 10 scale the citadel itself? Let him who
can interpret The signs, give the answer. | think they
certain that the paerng on the roof OF your
house gives proof Of the falling showers of rain.
What is that has thus gathered around You in thick
array such fearful host Of enemes What it, that is
booming you to inevitable defeat and disgrace; These
grave and important questions and honestly
ed, will develope the high and wcIghty responsibility
which rests upon all and each of The members Of the
Republican party. 1t is not the number, the power or
strength Of your enemrs that threatens you with defn
hut your unnecessary divisions, and uncomproms-
ing spirit IL is that arrogance OF niallbly aud into.
lerance Of feeling which brook difference Of OPT.
tons of mere expedency. IL s that POpish spirit which
consgns the iaggo and the stake dissenting herecS
Il is that unaccountable temper which swallow your
opponents with all theiI adversary doctrines, both Of
c6nsulonaliiy and eSpcdlency, and rnmt up your
bre thren with but single opposing prime ple and that
of mere cxPrdIency call upon all genuine Re.
pubcaDs pause and reflect before they drive far
TO look before they leap-to see, that their bottom is
sound before they plunge into the bowy aud dangerous
main.
Republicans of Virginia VIII you permit resent
menl towards dissenting brethren 10 drive you to entire
madness Will you permit conflicting opinions upon a
question OF finance, involving no question of consru
,onal power leopard and that forever. your ascend
ancy your liberties aud those Of your pcserity; Can
you rash hazard all that is dear, all that is
sacred TO Grecmen, upon single throw Of the die: If
you would, you are unworthy Of the rights and privi
leges which you enjoy, and the blood OF your patriotic
fathers will have been shed in vain. lie who ad.
dresses YOU is of those who docs not approve the
Sub Treasury project of the Adminstration-one, who
regards destructive TO the best interests of the
try and fraIfully increasing tie power and patronage
OF the Executiyeyet account OF this gle prnpp
ston | cannot abandon the Republican party, with
which have acted and been associated for nearly thirty
years and fly into the arms OF the party, whose prnc
Piles, however periodically and honestly entertained.
have always opposed and which cannot be sanched by
the errors of my party. ] think patriotism aud
duty require that | should remain in association with
my friends whose general doctrines and measures aP
prove; ard seek by kind and friendly admonlllon 10
rect their errors rather than rush into the ranks OF their
and my opponents and aid in their destruction. | vii!
do my duty and leave all responsibility for consequences
upon the head of those who with rash and obstinate and
in,oerant spirit, refuse 10 harmonic with their dissent
ing friends except upon terms which would stamp upon
them infamy and degr ada,ion.
If The opinions and policy Of the present incumbent
of the Executive chair which do not mean to usinu
ate should enlltle him TO confidence md support
a, the next Pesdenl ul election, what then; Shall
sustain one who has always been an opponent, and
whose principles and policy utterly hostile to? Ger
tany not, let Look 10 our own ranks and find man
in whom we conhde and in whose support we can
cordially unite Patriotism, duty, sulcty, all unite in
demanding union and our harmony, and strict ad
bcrence TO our old and wellted faith; and he will be
rrcrean and traitor who deserts it. Its the nature,
as it is the fuy, of mankind, TO rush from one extreme
to another escape from by rushing needless
ly into thousand This is a course unbecOmng palr
OILS ard statesmen, and Incompatible with the high re-
spnnsibiity we owe to ourselves and 20 poserity.
From the defeat Of John Quincy Adan,ss admnistra
ton TO the present hour the Republican party has had 10
withstand The shock Of many bold and vigorous
of the Executive-lhe Maysve veto, the National Bank
veto the Proclamation the removal Of The deposcs from
the Bank of the u S and The Specie Circular. And now
before il has recovered from The effects Of the sore con-
nics which these strn9g measures Produced another,
new. and still stronger and holder measure isrecomnerd
ed and is sought 10 be made the test Of Repuhcsnsm
and party fidelity, accompanied by the fact, that It is
measure which, three years ago. was reproba,ed and de-
nounced by The very parry and the very men, who now
urge it with such zeal and pertinacy. Well may Re-
puhlicans pause and ponder, before they embrace sys
ten which was regarded as SO hidrous and deiormed
short time ago. by the very who press upon hem
and abandon system which, short time ago, was re-
garded as essentially Republican, and the test M pari.
olsm by the very men who dcnounce and abuse il
at leus, opposition to it should not be denounced as
treachery md descrlon Although strong, approved
and still approve that series of bold but constitutional
and lawful of Gen Jacksons administration
to which have adrerleJ with the exception Of the Pro-
camalion and the Specie Circular, necessary 10 bring
back the Government to its Republican ground: and
most fortunate would have been for his administering
that of his SUCCESSOR and the Republican party it, after
the removal of the depostes these measures had ceaset
If they had the country and the Republican party would
have escaped that shock which threatens to be
disastrous 10 both.
It is a cardinal ptinciple'of Republican Government
ihoE of ninin nlf