Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1840-08-04

volved. II is her creed, that must now triumph or
shrink forever. The question submitted f5r decision
in the pending struggle, fairly understood and slript
of all collateral and incidental issues, is: Shall the work
of reform go ON; shall The government be freed from
the last vestige of the Federal llaniltonian School of
politics, and that of Virginia and Jefferson be subs,itu-
ted; or shall we turn back and restore the paper sys-
tom, rrrnie another Federal debt, incorporate another
National Bank, revive the connection OF Government
and Banks, re.enact the protective Tariff, with all It's
wasteful distractions, corruptions, oppressive and dan
gerous consequences? There is no middle GROUNDING
other alternative. The one or the other must be taken,
and that speedily. On the choice, depend the pros
perty, the union and liberty of the country have
long since selected my side. Let what will come--let
who will fall back, or go forward, while breathe, !
shall never desert the standard Of '9s.
With great respect, am, &c, &c,
Hon. w. Z. TAYLOR, and others, of the Committee.
WAsuiNGroN CRY, July -, $40.
conference.-the very kind invitation which YOU
have given me 10 attend the Democratic meeting at
CroN,on's Spring, on The I'D inst, has been duly re-
ccivrd, and commands the expression of my warmest
thanks and gratitude. 1t would give mr. great pleasure
to meet the Democracy Of the counties Of Caroline,
King William, King and Queen, Essex, and Middlesex,
at the time and place mentioned, but the rnle which
have long fpll"wed-not 10 attend any political meeting
beyond The limits Of my own Siate-iorbIds the enjoy
ment Of that qualification, and limits my participation
i'll the object Of your meeting TO the expression ofthanks
u lHe DUn uOHe INC, ana nOOu WISHES LOT lhr success
of the great cause in which we are all embarked.
The Democracy ofthc L. States are now engaged in
one of its scvcrcst trials, and IL bclinovcs every friend
to the cause to give II his active and vigiiant attention.
Federalism, united with Aholitionisim, is in the field,
and with the hrlp of THIS ally, and aided By some other
advantages, has never been so confident Of success,
since the grea, contest Of iouo. After successive de.
iratS for forty years, they count confidently upon sue
cess now; but, unless the signs in the political zodiac
deceive me, they will be doomed 10 experience another
disappointment.
The present canvass for The Presidency, on The part
OF the Opposition is distinguished hv two circumstances
never before seen on 4 similar ocCasioa-a refusal on
the part OF the nominating convention. and It's candidate,
10 make any declaration OF princi pies for the public eye:
and 4 scIIsrless exhibition Of cabins, canoes, cider bar.
rels, coon skins, and gourds, 10 the eyes OF the voters.
THIS IS something new III the HISTORY of our political
contests, and announces a ,linrnngll contemp, for the
public intelligence, and the capacity of The people for
.govrrnmcnt. Nothing but a conviction that The
body OF the v"irrs are incapable of self: government
ila, they can form no enlarged or enlightened opini.
ons upon public men, or public mcasures-and that
they are lobe influenced hy senSelrss exhibitions
nothing but 4 conviction of this, could have induced the
Federal party 10 betake themselves to this new and de-
grading mode of eleciioneering: and it is TO be hoped,
that the event will properly rebuke n proceeding SO de-
rogatory to the public intelligence, and so disparaging
to elective government. The Democracy, on the con-
trary, now as always heretofore, resting all their policy
on the cardinal principle ofcapncity for self government,
in the body Of the people, make an open profession of
their principles, automatically made by their nominating
convention, and the candidate selected by II; and they
use No argumcnt which is not addressed both 10 the
imt'Higrnce, and 20 the patriotism of their frl!ow-citI-
zens. Respectfully,
Gentlemen,
Your oh't servant,
THOMAS II. BENTON.
To Mcssrs. WV. p. TAYLOR, w. DIcKISsoS, Gro.
FirznuGn, and others, Tappahannock, Va.
RrcuMoSp, July 90, $40.
Gentlemen: Your kind letter of the 2Gth of June, in
viting me to attend a Democratic Convention Of the
counties composing your Congressional District, TO be
held at Croxton $ Spring, in the county of Essex, on the
22d instant, reached Inc at a moment when | was too
much occupied to reply to it. | am sensible, gentle
men, that owe this act Of courtesy on your part more
TO your favor than To my own merit; and although |
have long been out of the habit of attending public fes.
iirals, yet on this occasion, so strong is my desire To
'meet and mingle with so many of my political and
personal friends, and especially with those Of my native
county OF Essex "A county endcarcd To me By so many
interesting ccollections-tha nothing short of a para
noun, duty 10 others could prevent my ready accept
ance of your cordial invitation.
You do me hut Justice, gentlemen, in entertaining
''full confidence in my devotion to sound Dcmocratical
principles lmbibcd those principles in my youth,
and there has been no scmblance of change in me to
the present day, in that respect; and | cherish the hope
that shall maintain them during the remnant Of my
life. 1t is true, have had but little lot or part in poll
tics: but have not been an inattcntivc observer of
public events. have occasionally differed with my
party, on the expedicncy of certain measures: hut that
difference has never inclined me towards the ranks of
the adversary; and cannot but view the political con-
test now gong on, as a struggle between the National
Consolidation party, and the State Rights Republican
party, which have existed from the formation of the Ge-
neral Government, and which will probably continue
to the end. There will often be ~stragglcrs from each
but, in any great crisis, they will naturally enlist I'M
der the banners OF the one or the other of the great
parties, or become politically insignificant. The land.
marks Of these two parties are sufficiently distinct, and
honorable men may fairly differ on the policy of each,
without feeling 'malicc, hatred, or i'll will" There is
no mathematical standard by which the right or the
wrong can be- demonstrated, and men may therefore be
allowed quietly TO follow The conclusions of their own
minds, or in the language of MIR. Jefferson, terror OF
opinion should be tolerated, when reason is left free TO
combat it, But the contrivances and vitupcratIon now
so much in vogue, for the purpose Of gaining converts,
NAV well be considered as insulting TO the intelligence
of the people, and injurious to the morals and good
taste of society.
The great Federal leader at the late Wing Conven-
ton at Baltimore proclaimed that "the people want
change, change" III were convinced that the change
would be for the better, would forcgo my own OPINION
and take up theirs but, if Mr.. Webster means ny
"changc," u relapse into the old Federal system, rom
which the country was relieved by the election oil hir'
Jefferson, | cannot GO along with that portion Oh lhe
people who "want change"
What are the opinions, especially on the most eScit.
ing topic of the day, or what may be the measures OF
the candidate for the Presidency, who has been SET up
10 effect the change, | am vet to learn; and surely every
voter is entitled TO know the sentiments OF a candidate
before he is called on 10 exercise his right OF suffrage.
The choice of men to administer the Government IS OF
much less consequence than The principles on which't
is to be administered, and 4 clear, distinct ana antece-
dent avowal of principles is due TO, and ought 10 ne re-
quired by the people.
With assurances of my respect for yourselves, lnd'-
vidually, and for those yon represent, beg leaVe' gen
tlemen, TO offer the following sentiment:
The people Of my native, good old county OF hsskN:
Nav they never desire a stchange" from their long
cherished principles, to those Of the "EssEx JUNO.
Yours, faithfully,
JOHN BROCKENBROUGH.
To VIM. ?. Taylor, Esq, and other gentlemen OF the
Committee.
GREAT MEETING IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK.