Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1840-05-29
only of several Senators and Representatives, but that

/ q.
| of Governor alsol
| This design, more bold, considering the people and
the age, than the most daring usmrpatlons OF Cesar
Cromwell, or Napoleon, reused the spirit OF 40; lndlg
nan multtudes poured into the captal they organized
a Committee of SAFETY, and prepared TO assert the
rights OF The people The affrghted Governor and his
guilty councillors, instead of recedng from thes foul
design denounced the people rebels and deternned
to carry ont the usurpaon by force of arms Troops
were called out provided with buckshot and bah
trdges; the capital of the State resoundcd with the
din of arms; and the peace of the Commonwealth seem
ed to be suspended upon hair. Lest the militia OF
the State might show reluctance to shoot down
their own friends and subvert their lights, the Co
vernon had the audacy to request the aid OF body OF
u ). regulars then in the vicinity, anc to demand OF
| the President the aid of the army of the Union.
What, in tins case, did the people ask, Nothing bnt
the installation of their public officers, duly and con-
stitutonally elected by large jores And why did
the Harrison party proceed in their monstrous
sign to deprive them of this dearest right of frcemen
to treat the election if had not been held, and
tain the possession of power at the point of the bayo
net Not because they rclentcd reppned; not be.
cause they not ready for blood and carnage In
put down the rights Of the people; but because two o.
their number and tc0 only, refused to act out the
scene, and recedng from the usurpng House of Re-
prcsentatIvcs left 1t without quorum As bold, IN
prncpled, and INSCRIPTIONS they were, they dared
not proceed when they could no longer shield their
usurpatIon under constitutional forms.
What this occasion the conduct of those who
constitute the Harrison party in other States; Did
they denouncc the usurpers and take the side of the
people: No; almost TO man, they sustained, encou
ragged, and defended Governor Ritner and his daring
associates The people received from them but teroct-
Gus abuse, with the ephets of traitors and rebels
The attempt to clcaye down by the sword the pre-
cions rights Of rcemen, every where applauded by
them, showing that the contempt for the people
Pcrvades that party throughout the Union
And what have ut the present session OF
Iha oF
state Of Reorganization for weeks, by attempt to
force into ii, members, five from New Jersey,
when five other men, VIGOROUSLY and conrssedly, had
majority of the votes given at the election. The
"broad seal of the Governor, though covering known
and acknowledged fraud was held by them sacred
than the people, right of suffrage and considered
n better title to seat in Congress than majority Of
the peoples votes This not Pennsy lvania scene,
probably because the Harrison party here had CO.
werner Ritner under their control TO back the "broad
seal with "huckshot and ball" but the contempt for
the people, and the 'rW TO tranple their rights,
were in both cases the same.
Freemcn of the United States Your liberties are
not so safe as you may suppose. Think you If llarr
son had been President, the army of the Uncd States
would have been refused to his friends in Pennsyl
vana; Think you, that in such condition Of
things, the people of that State could have main
tanned their right to Governor and Legislature of
their free CHOICE but by wadng through rivers Of
blood: 1t at Harrisburg, the very scene ofthe
Riner usurpation and by the influence Of the leaders
in that desperate effort that the nomination of Harrison
effected II elected Ritners advisers will be his
advisers the prolgacy and darngness of that faction
will be transferred to Washington; and their spirit VIII
pcrvadc the administration Of the General Government
What have You to crpcct from II, but what yon hare
seen it Gnemp' What, but that corruption and fraud
III elections will pervade every State What, but that
minority candidates will be thrust into the State Legis
laures and broad seal members into Congress at the
point Of the bayonct;
A flood of Generalization has swept over our land;
and upon States it rests in stagnant pools conta
minating the atmosphere of liberty, and threatening
death to every thing vruous, NOBLE and free II is to
the monster bank, which, having struggled IN VAN, by
its Establishments, its corruptons aud ITS terrors, to
the fearless and ncorruptbe man then at the
head Of the General Government turned TO the State
Legislature where it found difficulty in buying up
Senators by the Dozen that the people of Pennsylva.
MIA were indebted for the proficiency exhibited IN the
attempt 10 subvert their liberties by the sword To
furnished BY The and similar institutions,
or those directly connected with them, if not even 10
the bankers Of Europe the people OF the u States
undoubtedly now indebted, not only for the deprava
ton morals which threatens to- break up the tounda-
lions of society, but for large portion of the means
which enable the Executive Committee at Washing
ton to prosecute their against an honest and Demo
cratic Administration II was by violating moral obl-
cations and plundering their own people through the
Bank of England that the British Government was
enabled keep the world in during the of
tho French Revolution; and the British party IN Anne
RIGA prottng by the pcoflgate example Laws are
violated with mpunity moral obligations scotfed al
and dcrded knavery walks the streets with the bold
face of honesty; punderers of the public and OF public
institutions obtain sympathy and forgiveness; and the
Administration which s'crny sets its face against these
evils and their authors, sought TO he made the vcilm
of lis frmness and integrity If bad men are 10 be per-
mttcd TO overthrow it, by prohigae and with
motives corrupt what 10 be expected, but that they
will proceed 10 aggrandize themselves upon the ruins
Of our free Government, and the cns!avement oil our
people,
cate the Administration from the foul aspersons cast
upon il, and earnestly to inculcate-
That in the practice of rigid morality alone, can
men or nations justly look for happiness and safety
That there is but code of morals for private and
public affairs
That puyc moraiityis true Democracy, conccdin; to
every one his right and seeking advantages Of none:
That every freeman has right 10 know the political
opinions of any candidate who is presented for his sui
iraaes and 10 deny him that right, is wrong and m
suit which strikes at the root of Representative Govern
mcnt and is the adoption Of kingy principle:
That the Of morality, freedom, and law; the
interests of agriculture manufactures, and commerce.
the peace of the country the rights OF the people ana
the safety and improvement OF their institutions VIII
be best promoted and secured by the reelection OF Mr.
Van Buren,;
And, finally, that it is the indispensable duty OF
every who wishes TO preserve the blessings OF an
honest Representative Government the rights Of pro-
perty the faith of contracts, the honor of his country,
and the freedom Of man, to oppose by all honorable"
means the election Of Gen Harrison, who already sets
the people at defiance, while his friends mock and m
suit them by childish and ridiculous mummery, fit
only TO amusc the wild natives of Africa
The frrocy of the Harrison party is equal to their
folly In every moment of rising hope they cannot re-
strain their eers and their taunts their rloous parades
shouts of exultatlon, and groans of insult While
holding high public station, have seen my children
spring from their beds at the dead hour OF md
night in The belief that guns were fired into the WIN
dows ofther chamber. 1t the cannon OF Federal
ism in the street. where its myrmdons had collected to
exult and insult their father with mock music,
firing, shouts, and groans
Tie God of Liberty forbid hat this spirit should erer
get possession Of our GorcrnmcnG And does not every
true Republican say AMEN:
Let as rain to the rescue. Send light among the
people and the Republic is safe For myself, If It DC
possbic that the people Of this country can throw mem
selves into the arms Of candidate w'tout tongue 10
speak to ncm and party ,cithom prinetP'es 10 an
Hounce, party already mad with the nope Of Po%er'
though relying for success nothing but their indus
rv and skill in dcludnp the people, and If my feeble