Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1840-07-17

contend, as the Fathers ofthe Republican church have
done before US, relying upon the justice of our cause,
aha never doubling the power oftruth.
an, win sentiments of great respect, your obi.
servt ANDREW JACKSON.
Niessrs' William A. Tennille, Chairman, and Il. Fort,
WIN. eahdiord and others, Committee.
WAsHlSGroN, 5th June, 1910.
uentlemcn;-The invitation which you have tender
cd me IN behalf. OF the Cumberland County Democratic
Association 10 attend their celebration on the 18th of
'u'y next, Is at once SO kind and urgent, that il is with
'iuch reiuc nee | am compelled 70 decline It. ! have
made 1t a rule from whicl, / have never departed, as
iohg as | nave been a member of Congress, not to Le
absent from my post here when | could avoid it. Act.
ing III obedience TO it, | have already declined i'll the last
? or ~ days several similar invitations from different
parts OF the Union, which trust, will be a sufficient
apology for not accepting yours.
remember with the grateful feelings | ought, the
occurrence personal to myself, TO which you ailude,
ana receive with the same feelings your appreciation of
my efforts IN the cause of 'civil liberty IN its broadcast
sense, 10 borrow your own expression.
II there ercs vas q people, who ought to be devoted
TO their country and its institutions, we are that peo-
pie. Taking It all in all, what portion of The Globe can
surpass ours, or what system Of Government, ancient,
or modern, can he compared to II: never turn my
eyes towards them, without emotions OF gratitude to the
giver OF every good for casting my lot in sach 4 coun-
Try, and under such institutions; and feeling, that, all
the sacrifice have made, or can make, IN their hehalf,
is but 4 poor return for the blessing bestowed. Thus
feeling, and believing, that the issue now before the
country, involves questions of vital Importance, | have
looked on with corresponding interest. If | do not
greatly mistake, the long struggle, which commenced
IN the Convention, that formed the Constitution, and
which under one form, or another, has continued to the
presenttime, between the national Consolidation party,
and the state rights Republican party, is brought to a
point, where 1t must be speedily decided; and that de.
cisIon, be it in favor Of which II may, will be irreversi.
bic, at least for the present generation.
That there was a powerful and, al one time, n domi.
nant party, in the convention, in favor Of the great ma.
tional consolidated government; that IT was finally over.
powered by another party opposed TO a consolidated
and in favor of a Federal Republic, to whose exer.
tons we owe our present admirable system, are facts
as certain as any in our political history. Nor is it less
certain, that the two parties, after the adoption of the
Constitution, took very different views of the princi-
Piles and policy, on which the government ought to be
administered; and that the views of the consolidation,
or Federal party, as it was forwards called, triumphed,
at the outset, over those of the Republican,, and gave
an impulse to the government from which it has not
yet fully recovered. To this false and dangerous i'm.
pulse we owe the funding system, connection of the
government with the banks, the creation of n national
bank, the oppressive protective system, and the un.
limited application of the money power TO objects not
within the limits of the Constitution, with the wasteiul
and cxtravagant expenditures, which have done 50
much to distract, divide and corrupt the country, and
weaken the foundation of our free institutions.
This corruptinI and pcrnIciouS system of legislation
'N'
a reaction has since commenced, and has been in
progress slowly, but steadily for the last seven years;
and, if it should continue, will III 4 few years sweep
away the last vestige OF the system, and leave the Gov
eminent free to take n course more %congenial with the
true character of our Government, and in accord with
the principles and policy Of the founders of the Repub-
lican party. The great question at issue is, shall the
reaction be completed, and the Government be restrict
ed to the few great objects, specified in the Constitu-
ton: or shall 1t be countcracted, and the Government
turned back, and made 10 repeat the course Of policy
from which it is lust escaping. This is the real issue
this the great question at bottom, more felt than seen,
which gives that deep, universal, aud agitatIDg interest
TO the present contest; and well it may. a question
more important has never been presented Tor decision
since the adoption Of the Constitution. 1t is an instance
of good fortune, enjoyed by none other, for 4 people, a
half a century after the adoption of their Government,
to have an opportunity, with the lights Of experience
before them, 10 choose anew, without revolution or
bloodshed, or embarrassment from past errors, the pc.
Icy it ought to pursue.
On The choice, the fate of our country and our free
institutions depends. If the People shall have the
patriotism and wisdom to avoid the errors Of the past,
and to select the course III accordance with the genius
and character Of our Government, our Institutions may
survive for ages, and The country attain a prosperity
and happiness not heretofore allotted 10 our race in any
age or country; but i, iorgettu! OF the past and IN.
mindful Of the future, past errors shall be again repeat
cd-thc same pernicious course adopted, short would
be the duration Of our political system, and conyulsiye
its termination.
With great respect,
am, &c,
r. CaIunIVN