Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1839-07-02

essentially depending upon the character md qnalih-
cations Of lis Chief Magistrate, It cannot be thought
premature to discuss this subject at this ie before the
people With frankness and decorum, that every light
may be shed upon it best calculated 10 ensure judi
cous and safe result. From the peculiar structure Of
our Government, This subject involves The interest Of
every man; and all are called upon by an imperious
sense OF duty discharge with sound discretion The
high perogalive Of eemen 10 choosing no shall serve
| 'hem.
!, The sovereign people, 10 whom this whole matter be-
igs hnva PLAIN and simple duty t"p.rf,rm they mus,
think ami act for ihrnspl2essy must rise above ihp
infected atmosphere in : hrh politicians live aud
move ard have Their being and wih The clear light oil
facts and truth ende them decide Tor the honor, glory
and interest ot their Common Country.
hen This subject is dvesi, al TIE meretricoGs cir
which have and will surround The
election of President il resoyenbe into the relative
qualifications Of the respective candidates. their pecr
liar adaptation 10 The crisis and the diversified wants o
great nation; and, in this view Of The subject, pro
pose 10 treat il.
The choice al this lime must be made between the
candidates Of the great political PARTIES which have
fDr nearl half century divided the people and which
are Known by HE common eppeliatiVes OF Democratic
and Federal
These parties exist now, with most Of the distinctive
FEATURES and elements that marked their inception; and
The same preferences that distinguished The and the
same objections that characterised the other IN their re-
speciIve adaptations 10 the institutions Of The country,
and The administration OF the Government, in the me-
noabe struggles for victory which signaised them IN
their early history, prevail in all their force and per
linency All That was Objectionable To The Federal par
~ IN lI9s, IS equally Objectionable now, and oil thai
recommended the Democratic party at the same Pc
riod applies now with much greater potency for, al
That me the people had 10 Iheorise upon The ness Of
OF Democratic principles in their application 10 The ad
mnsrallon OF the Government and their superiority
the practical operations of the principles of he
Fed raj party, then in power. Under The udmisslra
lions Of Jefferson, Madison, Monroe Jackson and Van
Buren, the people have had the most ample and sasfac
To all the wanIs of The country and the happy eff
cheney OF Government These principles have real
Ised IN practice, more than the sangnne h"pes OF
those Who advocated them in theory; nGd whilst they
continue TO vouchsae 10 them The blessings that
have gaddened every par, Of our land, they would be
rfcreant to the claims Of duty and 10 all the obligations
that can bind men 10 the protection oil their dearest in
trress. if they not 10 stand by them with sacred
devotion The anchor OF their hope know, that This
be done only by resolution and sespless vgi
lance Tor, these principles have powerful and reckless
enemy to contend with-an enemy, that is subdued by
no defeat, and disnayed bylno diilculles-They
tend with zeal worthy Of a better cause and with a
spirit that seems 10 glory in martytdom They may
and they will persevere Then be So but the same bat
telelds where they have again aud again been routed
will witness their continued overthrow, come when the
trial may.
MIR Van Buren, educated in The school Of the pnry
to which he belongs and lie derived all his lessons from
the principles and precepts OF the fathers Of That party
and they were such as he carried into practical opera
! lion in the first movements Of his political l:lr He was
then living IN the midst Of a community who knew HIM
well, and respected his character. Wilhou, those aci
uous advantages which often give ambition
without merit, he stood upon The naked of
vigorous mind, ardent industry and unb!emished reputa
ton; The solid mundatinn upon which character rest
and The elements of oil Others, which The people de-
light to honor Ills nrighbos were the first Ia call him
into their service and to invest him with The rights of
Legislator The ability with which he discharged the
duties ASST gnPd him, proved the sagaciy Of their udg
men and confirmed his clnims 10 their confidence. AS
the field opened 10 his usefulness ambition,
his constituents disposed that lie should occupy IT, and
with that has scarcely parallel he marched
rapidly from higher 10 still higher hnnors, until he had
encompassed all the distinctions that his native State
could confer This successful car through pc
RODS Of the wa'nest political Conflicts and against adj
veIsaries who were among the strongest and bodest OF
The times
The proud distinction That Mr. Vim Buren, had gained
in his Stale and in the Senate Of the u S brought
him conspcuousy before the General Government; and
in the full blaze Of Gen Jackson lrumphs in reaching
The Presidency, he selected MIR Van Buen from among
the great statesmen OF the country and gave him the
first place in his Cabinet The successful ability with
which he discharged The functions of that office, his ad
versarles have questioned denied. Grn Jack
son gave him renewed assurances OF his confidence in
his patriotism and judgment, By appointing him Minister
Plenipotennry 10 the British Court at time when the
most delicate and important matters had TO be negotiated
between The two Governments. That appointment had
to pass the ordeal OF the Senate of the u and to the
everlasting disgrace Of The majority of that body, his
nnnlion was rejected 10 crafty the poor, unworthy
spirit Of political revenge. But was short live
triumph, if indeed il deserved so 10 be called The
people, who felt that their rights Ind been outraged
by this osiracsm, and who magnaninUns not to
redress wrongs when they have the power ebuked this
insult by nominating him for the Vice Presidency, and
by overwhelming vote, placed him in The second
office of the country by the side Of their uslrnus
jackson. Mr. Van Buren, went into the Senate as i,s
presiding officer not with grievances 10 redress, not
with resentnenls TO indulge, but with The dignity
that belonged TO his high station; 10 his hrnor be
membrred he presided with ability and imparliairy
that placed him second 10 OF the great who
| had preceded him in that seat Of honor
The imposing attitude that MIR Van Buren, held be.
fore the people of the country taken 10 connection with
the recommendations derived from The fidelity with which
he had served IN many mporant stations recommend
ed him 10 the whole Democratic party The appropriate
ui the Hero of New Orleans, and with that
wnverng devotion which the people always manifest for
those priIGp.e upon which their Government may safe
y rapose they elected him; and, doing conferred
upon him the proudest honors TINT wear, and
which, candor will say, he every way worthy Of
the Chief Magistrate.
AT this enlightened age with all the intellectual re
sources OF our country oil command and with powerful
and unscrupnous opposition MIR Van Buren could
have travelled up the ladder OF fame until he had reached
the upmost round, If lie had not possessed a superior
mind if he had not been regulated by The snundest dis
crelion and had preserved spotess reputation. The
ordeal through which he had TO pass,
detect every deficiency nnd 10 have exposed every
conceamrnt. That such have been found and That
he has mastered every obstacle, proof conclusive Of lis
power and his purity; and il is beautiful commentary
The theory Of our institutions and The intelligence OF
the people, placing unobrusve merit above that fac
ti,iuus glare which birth and fortune and rank exact from
! their serviIe worshpprrs in other Governments
Since Mr. Van Buren, has been al the head Of the Go
vemneni, me has cast his asuie and observing mind
over the vast range OF his appropriate functions and har
brought his researches 10 bear upon weak points that
que amending; aud, with those that constitute the
sound settled policy Of his distinguished predecessors,
he sussins them with frmness that falrers Not
whsandng the claims that such conduct should civ"
him to entire commendaon it has but provoked the ire
Of his enemies 10 i-rcer aackS-enemips. who
no beauties but Of their creation, and who are
leagued by The sling Of blasted hopes, 10 pursue him,
right wrong, long he holds power at The hands
OF the people. Whilst no man would be more ready |
than MIR Van Buren, 10 respect the will Of his consu
ents is firm resist the encroachmenls Of