Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1840-07-07
COMMUNICATIONS.
MIDDLESEX COUNTY.

AT neeltnp u u lHt SOIiltiiks 0HS
of the Democratic Republican party Of MiddieseS
county. held at the Courthouse in the town OF Urban
ma ON Monday, the gid of June, $40, MIR. Walter
Hesly was called TO the Chair, and upon motion, John
p. Bristow was appointed Secretary.
DIR. John X. Taylor, in q few bret remarks, statea
the object of the meeting, and on his motion the foi-
LOWING gentlemen were appointed a committee by the
Chair 10 prepare a Preamble and Resolutions express
siye of the sense Of the meeting Robert Mackan,
Thomas Street, Mord. G. Booth, James S. Bristow,
Mickelborough Daniel, Thomas Trice, and Mark W..
Towel.
And upon motion, the Chairman and Secretary were
added.
The committee retired, and after consultation, intro
duced the following Preamble and Resolutions, winch
were advocated by DR.. John r. Taylor, and unanl'
mously adopted.
Mr.. John Summerson OF King & Queen, and Mr..
Treble of Essex, being present, were invited 10 ad-
dress the meeting, which they accordingly d'o' IN an
eloquent manner; highly credltab!e TO themselves, ana
satisfactory to the members of the meeting:
Preamble.
Whereas, as the time is rapidly approaching when "
will again become our duty, as well as our inestimaoie
privilege, to bes,ow our suffrages on some individual,
in whose moral and political int gritty we can conhde,
as the presiding officer over the free institutions OF our
country for the next four years And whereas, we
have not been Indifferent observers OF the offlciai acts
and measures of the present Chief Magistrate since ne
entered upon the duties OF his ONCE, pnt nave re-
copnized i'm his administration a strict regard to the spi-
rt of the Constitution and inst sense OF his obligations
to his country, and the station which he hills, IN ms EFFORTS
to protect the just rights of all, and to favor no particular
set Of interests at the expense of all others: That 1t IS
with inst pride, we acknowledge the fulhiment OF all OF
the pledges he gave his friends as to the policy OF his
administration; and that If the past and present form a
correct index by which we may Judge OF MS future
course, we have the most entire confidence, that we
NAV again confer our sutfrages upon HIM with safety 10
ourselves, and with lasting benefit to the best inter
ests of orr common country: That it is with no less
satisfaction that we advert TO the contrast now exhibit
ed to the American people, between himself and the
candidate of the Federal party. With him, sensible as
he is, that whatever honor and distinction he mas oo-
tanned, has been derived from the hands OF a people
Jealous of their rights and inqusitive of the %qualihca-
tons and opinions of their public servants, ne las not,
as is the case with his opponent, when enqulred OF oy a
portion of those people, whose votes he so anxiousiy de-
sires, as to his opinions and future conduct Tin the event
of his election) on a question of all others the most mo-
mentous in its consequences to every Southern man,
taken shelter under the outstretched and parental wings
of a confidential committee, but with a candor and
promptitude as c~reditable to himself as it was respect
full to the rights of a free and sovereign people, an
swered each and all questions propounded to him,
whether from friend or foe, by which ne has fals'-
fed one Of the innumerable charges against him OF
non.committalism, and evinced a disposition that
none should be in ignorance OF his principles or OPT
Mons, and last, though not least, the capacity, as wella as
moral courage, to think, write aud act for himself, how
ever urgent the promptings of policy should have
suggested to him, that she make no further declaration
of his principles for the public eye, whilst occupying
his present position
Nor can we pass in silent review over the reckless
and unfair means resorted to by our opponents, to
abuse the public mind in relation TO the report OF the
of War, in obedience to a vote of Congress
for the reorganization of the militia. If the President
belle YES the present system Off system 1t beg defective,
50 did Washington, Jefferson, Madison, and Jackson;
but that he has ever recommended any measure approx.
mating 10 a Standing Army, we fatty deny, and chal-
lenge his accusers to the proof. If there were obJec-
tionable features in the details of the report, the CEN
sure must rest at the door OF its author, and upon Con-
press. if it becomes a law, and they fail to remove what
ever is Objectionable, anti-republcana and oppressive in
its character. But if these gentlemen are sincere IN
their professions of alarm for the safety, virtue and Ii.
berries of the people, we would ask them in all good
earnestness TO compose their nerves, TO pacify the old
women of their neighborhoods, and to examine for a
while the several reports of their Gagged Hero, and if
they can discover in them nothing save to admire and
approve, we would then, with their permission, refer
them to his speech in behalf Of the Standing Army Of
his early patron, the elder Adams; and If, after these
perusals, they are not constrained to admit that their
fears on the one hand have been ill-founded, and their
confidence abused on the other, then may we expect
smoothing good TO come out Of Nazareth"
Lastly-we cannot refrain from giving expression to
the proud satisfaction we enjoy in the we'll rounded
belief, that the sagacity Of the people is still equal to
their virtue and PATRIOTISM, and that SO long as this is
the case, no lover Of his country need despair of the
Republic. The conflicts between the people and their
would be "most honored and approved good masters
we may expect at all times to be arduous and exciting
but so long as they are true to themselves, the result
can never be doubtful.
Resoiced, therefore, 1st. That we have entire conf
dence in the integrity and patriotism of Martin Van
Buren,; that such is the ability, frmness and modera-
ton, with which he has discharged the duties of his
office, both in onr domestic and foreign
relations, and such the candid and frank opinion ex.
pressed by him upon the subject of Abolition, denying
to Congress all right 10 interfere in the matter, as TO
entitle him to the confidence Of the Southern people;
and that we hereby pledge him our undivided sup port,
and will use all honorable means to secure his re.elec-
ton.
9. That we are fully sensible of the undue efforts
have already been resorted to, and Of others in
preparation, to be used by our opponents, in the coming
contest, to defeat the candidate Of the Republican par
", and, as a duty we owe ourselves, our country and
.posterity, we will prepare to meet their mode of war
fare, come as it may.
3. That the equivocal and doubtful position Of the
Federal candidate for the Presidency, Gen. Harrison,
his refusal to ayow opinions with regard to the promi-
nent questions involved in the present contest, and the
of the Convention, by which he was nomina-
ted, to SNAKE any development of principle for the
public eye evnce such a contempff for popular inteli-
yence and virtue, and such total want of generous
in the people, as ought to excite their
alarm and just Indignation"
a. "That we regard Gen. Harrison as the nominee of
he Anti Masonic, National Republican and Abolition
parties-modern Wings, banded together to crush those
war for the principles of Thomas Jefferson-an
sunholy alliance" whose aim is to strengthen the Fe-
1eral Government by the establishment of a National
cripple our industry by an onerous Tariff-to
,quander our money upon works of Internal Improve
nent-and, finally, whose success may rob us Of our
laves, and disturb the security of our firesides."
S. That we cannot, and will not, support any man
or the Office of President Of these United States, who