Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1840-06-09


Gent Federasts and modern Wings, it is to be found
in the absence of some of those traits in the latter
which az the commencement OF the DIVISION OF partes
contributed in degree to give character TO Inc ior
mer AT the time those divisions orisinaleu' anu uu
ring the whole period in which the federaiis.s mann
tanned their ascendency, their course was Hrhea py
degree of decorum which gave certain respeclaohty
10 the principles they avowed % long as MAJORITY
them with apparent respect, while undermining heif
r-hts BIZ ns.dous legislation, in conformity to their
ayowed principles But the moment the tendency OF
their measures discovered and denounced by Mr..
Jefferson and they felt themselves sinking from their
power their department underwent SO sudden and so
thorough a change as bring out, in strong relief,
their doubts of the capacity of the people Tor segovern
ment
The Federal Administration began lis war against
popular rights BY enacting laws calculated ana intend
ed 10 repress and punish the free OF the pvi-
lege of speech and the Just complaints OF the people
measures which followed up by standing armies,
10 overawe them in the exercise OF their snnages-
These and other manifestations o. their designs, reused
the people 10 defence; they rose III their irresistible
might and the editce of Federal power Tell PROSTATE
before them.
From tn period, systematic political contests have
been carried between the two great parties OF the
country the marked characteristics in each and a
having been confidence in the honesty and intelligence
of the people, and their capacity for setgovernmen
on the one side and dstrust the other; desire for
an extension Of the elective franchise to every free cit
OF the country, on the one ol
ment by property qualifications and other RESTRICTIONS
on the other; struggle for popular equality, on the
one side and for peculiar and monopolzng rights, cor
porate and private on the other In shot, contention
for popular sovereignty the side, and for Go.
vernment controlled by favored interests and privileged
classes OH the other. These contests have all been
brought TO the polls of election and by almost ne
cessary consequence, have net nearly an entire UNI
tormtv of decision there-the prevalence of the popu.
lar the arISocratc principle
The Presidential election, at the period to which
we have referred proved that the Aristncratc princ
pie was not be concluded BY the far and distinct de-
cison of the people, without u struggle behind the
polls of election to their vote and TO gan BY
ndirecon, fraud, or bribery, or force, what had
failed to secure in the open field OF popular discussion
Hence the fearful and trying controversy for the Pre-
sitency between Mr.. Jefferson and Mr. Burr, in the
House OF Represe ptatiTes in lsOl. The intention oil
the people, expressed by the popular vote was not
matter Of doubt question; but when II was found
that power dearer than principle to one OF the can
didaes upon the Democratic ticket, the rule 'dlvide
and conquer became that for the action OF the Fede-
raj party in their effort TO overthrow the election, and
make that man President of the Republic, whom, from
a mistaken confidence, the people had intended TO
make Vice President.
The limits of an address will not permit an enumc
ration Of the instances since the memorable above
named, in which the Arisocratc party has attempted
TO defeat the popular will by kindred efforts. Suti-
cien for our present purpose it will be to refer to pas
the patriotic States of Pennsylvania and New Jersey
of recent date and yet but partially developed 10 the
astonished view Of our young country. They suii-
GENTLY show that the principle which gave rSe 10 the
contest between Jefferson and Burr yet exists st
in active exercise, and is one OF the strong dependen
cieS for success of the modern Wing party.
We are not aarmists The cause of The Democracy
has nothing to gain from representation {" imaginary
benefits TO be derived from the action of Government,
or to lose from similar representations OF SuttcrngS
equally ina gnary to flow from the source. The
people are, IN effect the Government OF our country
they It's sovereign and their will is us law w hen
we appeal to them, do SO under deep convection
Of these truths and equally deep consciousness that
we appeal to RATIONAL intelligent, patriotic men; pos
sessing ud Gent discriminate between the truth and
tsehood; frmness TO pursue The course OF principle,
unswayed by prejudice, passion or interest and mte-
gritty defend and preserve those constitutional rights
upon which their lasting prosperity safely reposes
To that people appeal and, standing among
them DESTROYS to submit acts 20 their calm reiec
ton and judgment, we entrcat them 10 look well TO
their rights and interests guard The elective fran
chise as the sheet aHchor CT their Liberties; 20 protect
themselves from imposition and ias"hood, and. as ne
cessary this great object, from nasty aud undue cS
ctenen;s artfcaily stimulated, and attempted to b.
supported by the power money not the force Of truth
We also entreat them - look 10 the conduct Of their
representative servants and whether, III the els.
charge of their high duties, iEsidous approaches may
not be gradually making, if not upon the free 1om Of
popular elections, least upon their efficiency as the
h!st constitutions! STEP uuei our .'.e 1 anu
National, IN carrying mo eAeeu'oi Tue P'P.".
The course of the Opposition in Congress calls Tor
Tie most serious consideration of the people Charged
as that body is w''h he guarGiansp Oh me @i'"'
"s's Q, the country .e p'.p;I -,
ina, those VINO -" aai ., ,he
lion of that high and responsible trust In what
het 'ls Jass ,ho and bn ,hres nrccc
~ ..e r., uar 5hara,ons have haen pernet,,,l
~ sPonssors hr;n, No rI,,on r. The
49, ~ IeT;sa,;on hafnsc i nrod1cinu in.
tIS aaias !; Tho ,rons,c,;on ~, ,e nubI;c busi
- Ia oh,,ross;on and nostnoni,y ordinary and
"d;nans,h. ma,snrcs essential 10 the common de-
c and General welfare md clearly demanded b. Tic
.xnressed wishes Of the pcople Nor are these the
worst features in this picture Of degenerate legislation
Controversies Of persona character have more than
once usurped the place al caln saascning md fair &c
bate marked in their progress i. angry recrimnation
and sometimes terminating il nr's of violence: thu:
converting Hall, which should IT, dedicated to the
.,-oa nu-nns,s NJ ler;si,:; A. ne nrn,ecton nj IN,