Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1839-01-05
FOR THE ENQUIRER

THE POsTTr ON OF A VIRGINIA CONSERVATIVE.
It is iashit Of the day, for occupying, in its
various grades, the post OF of the people
to define their positions The fashion il origin,
doubt TO the many, sudden and extensive mutations Of
party that hav taken place of late However may
condemn it savoing of egotism, none, surely, will
deny 10 il Il ibue of praise for openness and honesty
call it Anti Republican.
am not it will be deemed improper in 10 fol
low the iasho II, though mine is private station. Nor
will be al iected to omit specific mention of the
chief conside. a,ions conducting 10 The coTcuson
that will nc be aInss in me TO define my POSITION
Though am and have ever been private citizen, the
tine has BEEN and not long since, when the public felt
Interest not for their sake but for tina! cause
in my opint us about public men and measures, and
when the free. full and frequent expression of them
erted Huence the popular and The
then pending exercises Of suffrage and instruction; but
whether for God ILL., let others Judge. And the other
Chief conslde. alton which induces 10 define my po
siton, is this that in consequence Of thinking for my
self and estiI nalng all measures by their conformity
waat Of It, to certain fixed principles. having reference
TO man party Of men, dIsdaining to follow impi
city the lead Of any one have been erroneousy sup
posed by Of that portion Of the public who
Gently manlf ssed the liveliest friendly interest in my
opinions to estranged at this time, from Republican
men and inca sures.
Though h IS is copious and complicated subject,
shall he very brief in my exposition In fact, am sure
tina. the pubic generally and correctly give credit,
or bestow dispraise, according 10 their peculiar
opinions, for changeess devotion TO Democratic doc
rnes, that shall confne the definition Of my position
to single tcpic and this is the Sub Treasury Scheme,
which the President Of the U. States still insists IL
advocacy of his sche the test of one Democracy,
am no Der locrat. Towards it, in every FORM am
inspired with well considered and deathless hostility.
Rus neveh ,ess shall support the present incumbent
OF the Pes Dental Office for reelection to the same, in
preference - who is friendly to U. States
Bank. is not known TO be hostile to any sort OF
u States Bank and just SO shall act with respect 10
candidates for Congress At the next Spring elections
of membs to Congress from Virginia, shall give my
votes TO the candidates who may be friendly to the State
Bank Deositc System in preference to any other can
ddates BY whatever other nomenclature known
And just so shall give my vote in the next election of
Preside at Of the u Sates the event OF there being
any oiher candidate than such may be friendly to
U. 81 ates' Bank or to a Sub Treasury Scheme.
IL the reader is curious 10 know further, why am
thus particular TO define my position, ask him. if he be
not urapt up in self love- 10 recoec and to reflect on
it, tina: may be animated otherwise than by self
interest; and if the curious reader be subject 10 the H.
iusions Of interest and seove, and dead 10 the nober
impulses of PATRIOTISM beg him be assured that do
what his opinion about me my course may be.
For 1e sake Ct being yet little explicit. may
be well enlarge little this topic. II is considered
by me great misfortune that no citizen OF free coun
srg and such has been the in all ages, but less so
M modern times, can take on active part in politics.
'sout subec,ing himself TO the charge, al least TO
we suspicion, Of aiming at promotion 10 ONCE III Ger
ony strong proof OF patriotism that the citizen shall
keep himself ready and willing, when called by his
county, TO render service in any station to which he
may oe deemed entitled by his fitness for it. IT is
equa'y certain that the patriotic citizen thus willing
" eIs,st .ne unsought honor and cares of office,
may MINK lie can best give to his designs 10
advahce inc PnHhc good, by other than the
influence 'nat ohice would give his efforts-and
that his opinions expressed on sn,be occos;ons and
mt any crisis IN The public affairs will be more apt 10
have effect and es s esteemed ste, certainly honest when
he is out nl o'hce ana not seeking H. And is such
this, that the charge which it is the habit of the
public mind to make becomes misfortune The inau.
ence To which his expressed opinions are inripscav
entitled and which, but for the charge tha, he is seeking
"tce, they would exert is weakened by it, This effect
is not peculiar the patriotic citizen, who being out of
Office and not seeking it, yet aims to give the public OPT
Mon the right 1t often attends the expressed
opinions of men in high offices, who accused Of
ruling desire 10 retain their place reach still higher
This is a, this time, exemphed in the position Of vii.