Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1839-05-03
COMM JNgCATEDNS.
FOR THE E-TQUIREk.
1, GINlA

but because it is -l that her determination VIII nave
decisive influence (as to the Whgs) upon The coming
Presidential Election. This contest is therefore, one OF
more than ordinary importance for it is pregnant win
great result. TO the hole country. IL is rot merely
Stale controversy; il is the Presidential battle fought by
the Wings in advance. Under this impression, pro-
pose 10 address ynn few observations, which are wor-
thy Of your attentive consideration.
Virglnia has always proiessed her devotion tn certain
doctrines TO wh,.h she has, indeed given her name
Upon these she has insisted with such zeal and per-
tnacy, 10 subject her often to The wess 6hule OF
that class of politicians, who laugh cn-aiiillonsi
scfuples. and hnbu lily sacrifice essential principles 10
selfish objects, or supposed expedency Nothing is so
ln hear contempt protested for The political
metaphysics Of the Virginia School, the doctrines Of
Jefferson and Madison nlppantiy slgmased by the
yotar"s Of Federalism 1t frequently asserted,
that the devotion of Virginia 10 those cardinal prnc
pies is affected and that her sole passion is 10 discuss
them in idle speeches and tedious essays. Spurning
these offensive imputaUns. and, believing. as do,
that her professions sincere, and that her sturdy
assertion Of the genuine Republican creed, has more
than saved The Republic cannot believe, that she
WI prove receant 10 herself at moment So crItica! as
the present course so blind and unworthy, would
90 far jIsliiy the which have alluded and
forever afterwards diminish that influence upon the
councils Of the nation which has been hitherto secured 10
the Old Dominion BY the great men she has produced the
pure doctrines which she has proclaimed, ana her sled
fast adherence To- Republican principles. Her future cha
racer, prosperity and influence VIII depend very much
upon her decision III The present critical junclure OF at
j
worthy motive, pcr6dious appeal induce her TO
contribute TO the elevation OF dynasty which hostile
her principles, and adverse TO her interests she must
not pGin OF TIE fatal Consequences of her rashness
and folly She ill have nobody but herself 10 blame
But r-gue better things Of her. She cannot tail 10
prove TO herself and 20 those who true 10 her
The present aspect o.! Federal lt!Cs is both novel and
interesting. We hold 10: the first lime. in The Prrsi-
dental Chair, Northern statesman, who has identified
himself thoroughly with tn principles and Of
the South, while hr is q! the same time faithful IN the
Republicans o! The Morrill, whose confidence he enjoys
in ennJent degree. haTin Van Buren, Republican
of the sraest sect, has adopted frankly from his own
conviction and heir fullest extent, the doctrines OF
the Eiginia school, by which alone, our fee Constitution
can be righr interpreted. and our limited Government
he fairly administered By doing he has encountered
the nvc"Iar hostility oI large pa y IN the section
which we him birth, by which he is vehemen,Iy de-
n0unced as the "Norlhern man with Southern prEci.
Piles For his devotion to his support OF our canse,
and defence Of rights. he has been visited by the
ohoGuy which was heapad upon Jefferson and Madison
by The party. He has not only embraced Tie true
theory OF Republican Institutions, - interpreted by
the Virginia State Rights school, but, likewise, all the
consequences hch lis legitimate offspring. IN The
conviction tina! this is Government of limited powers
created By the States for spec lie purposes, which cannot
be multiplied extended without infringing upon the
rights reserved the States the people thereof he
uGheIes rIgdly to a strict construction o: the Consiu
lion. He Is opposed 10 protective Tariff, l0a Nai'"nal
Bank To Internal improvements by the General Govern
Inc n and above all 10 interference in the domestic
institutions Of the South not only IN the States, but IN
the District aud Territories Upon all these questions,
bis has been frank and decided and his Admins
tratun has taken bold and stand What
does Virginia ask: Are not these with her the
+ test Of Repsblcansa, the tombstone OF petorism:
Is il NJ for these principles, she las commended.
which sue holds dear the apple Of her Eye; Will
you then in he hour Of conflict orSake their fearless
asSertor and by doing show rrsres equally recre-
ant 20 your principles and regardless OF your interests:
have ton much respect for the honor and integrity ri
Tho 10 hail ,riD Tor me n tsuCl
plcion
And for whom yon called upon 10 make so de-
grading sacrifice Of ourselves and Of thSe h" have
been faithful to you: For or who h0ugn sprung from
your soil, has not principle aCtuaied by sin
gle feeling IN common with yOu-irr Henry Clay the
boa led father of that protective system winch beggarrd
the industry of The South; The proposer Of mousttOus
AMI unconstitutional corporation, which is to build up
financial aud coInmercra tyranny in the North; the ad
vocuc OF n policy which wastes millions Ipon millions
of yonr treasure upon every wild and exlrlvngan IN.
detlaking by the Federal Government it not The secret
foe best the faint Trend Of those domestic nslIlulions
tn render winch Improbable, was, upon the authority q"
Nr PreSInn The avowrd o! sct OF his iniqulinus tnf
| Can yon h. enough to desert The man who thinks
and with you, al time, too, OF no little danger, and
in conflict decisive of the future, order 10 elevate
party whose principles you drrsi, and whose policy
| is fatal 20 your dearest interests:
And what are the arguments employed 10 urge you TO
this suicidal COURSE Your prejrd'ces appeacd to as
Southern ngansa President " no was born on the
devoid will not say Of magnanimIty but Of common
usce rs 10 listen TO such an appeal, without! feeling
herself insued; Have not we Of the South, although
belonging, numerically, to the weakest sectIon, ven
five out Of eight Presidents 10 the Union, of whom four
were Yirginrans: Had la, Republicans Of the North
been nciuated ty such selfish emotions, would The Old
Dominion have been enabled 10 act the conspicuous part
in +, dera politics which has rendered her illustrious,
and entitled her the lasting admiration and gratitude
of the whole country; We shoula ne careful how we
employ such argument or indulge such feeling
They would fail 10 engrnder an antagonist jealousy
Of sentiment and interest highly injurious 10 The inn'
pure and prosperity Of the South, If not fatal tho
| Union But will not insult you. by surprising you
CAPABLE of seShness so little IN accordance with your
Acknowledged reputation for generosity and chvary -
You cannot hut feel a more grateful attachment TO The
statesman who. though not native Of soil IS XII.
drcd TO you IN principles ard feelings and whom all en-
chtcnrd poicv urges You 70 sustain account q"
the strength which he brings with HIM 10 The support Oh
our cause
lis difficult 10 find any ming tangible definite
worthy of serious notice rcfuarion in The objections
which are raised against Mr.. Van Buren, All that -
moi mele can't slang prejudice, vague generality ana
emptv defamation. TIE utter absence ot any thlng
df;,c s,rcfc or rn,iorrl is irresistible proof that
lining seriously objectionable can be alleged against him
! The Opposition does not lack talent ingenuity, or re-.
sources and therefore 1t is fair 10 suppose: that any
,brr coud be inuad it would be produced. confess,
therefore rha, feel little difficulty IN treating this
pnr, of my subject, brcause find nothing 10 take
hold Of In breath we are told that lie walks STA
yy in the Footsteps OF his predecessor and men IL IS
asserted that lie has utterly abandoned The principles and
noIicy of General Jackson. little wh'' ago We heard
Of nothing but the weak, time serving, vacarg cha
roc,er Of Mr. Van Buren, and told that he was
afraid TO commit himself any opinion; and That he had
no fixed principles, but trimmed his sails 10 sun every
hirIino wind and current. Now, however, the cry Is
Changed and he is denounced for his bodness and Oh;
sinncy for his refusal 10 bend his course TO The alleged
| popular will. Poor Mr.. Rves even represents himself
rs in danger Of "annitation, for daring to differ in
oniuon with the President, and appeals TO The sympa
,hos Of the people 'martyr TO Senatorial ndepend
once Public din rprs given TO this modern mariyr
hv way, suppose Of Terrifying him agnns The nssanits
~ or, formidable Chief Ma gisraie. This 'u1terrhed
senator v no seems 10 b. appiehensire Of "ann!"i
I,,ion." will pardon for the sugges'ion Una. ''e
crown Of mntyrdom which he seeks is ho'a hca'e"iy'
d., r. renrn from this depression, won'd observe,
pu' W . Ia. asa,;ons canu0t be true, and yet we