Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1841-01-12
POLITICS..

(From uhe .Nasasile ,! Uasa.I no, ,,y ar THE
: DEMOCRATIC PARTY. ;.
| II is now about twelve years since the Democratic
usrty came into power Qa25) Since that event Two
Presidential elections Qs32and le5o) nave TAKEN pace
at which the candidates supported 6y tls party were
chosen by considerable maorltes. ne Federai party
have succeeded in the last election Qo4uo ana new
course of policy will probably be pursued by that party
both in Foreign and Domestic affairs.
1t is intended in the present paper 20 CONNIE Tue at
tention of the reader exclusively 70 .ne sa .a
lions of the Democratic Party. The dignity influence
and security of the IT, S. equally important 10 all
good American citizens. .,-.: a.. ,,o
administrations selected by the great Democratic party
have degraded the honor sacrificed the interests oil
,Lo no,on LET history condemn the party which chose
them and continued to support them for twelve success
sve years. ,.....L
IT, on the contrary, Democratic administrations la We
uniformly asserted the rights of American cltzcis ana
maintained or elevated the character OF the kepuoc IN
the great family of nations which compose the world,
let Justice be done 10 the patriotic motives and osln'
oushed ability of the public servants who have faith
| fully executed their difficult task
The obstacles they encountered IN performing the'r
duty proceeded chiefly from three causes. First. the
embarrassed condition of intercourse with foreign
nations when they came into Office second, the
strength Of and number of the nations which had done
Us wrong. Third the bitter opposition OF Tie Federal
lists to the firm measures necessary to be adopted Tor
obtaining satisfaction.
At the close of Mr.. Adumss unpopular Adminislra-
ton our foreign affairs in dePorable situation
The Panama Mission had most dsgraceuly ialied
Ou commerce in the West Indies was the prey Of afro
cous pirates. With England we had an unsettled
boundary question. Upon Spain, Denmark, Naples
and France we had claims for depredations committed
on our commerce. These nations, tempted ny our ap.
parent weakness and pacific commercial character had
.eized our helpless merchant vessels and alter burning
or punderng tem threw their into jail and sent
them home borne down by the combined pressure 81 po-
verify and insult In instances these sailors ad DIED
IN consequence Of their unmerted losses and suffer
mo and their wives and children had come TO petition
Congre.s for compensation revenge But The cabi-
ne, of Mr. Adams had no sympathy for the poor aud
unforlunac-it was daily engaged IN the exchange oi
notes of ceremonious civilIty with the Ambassadors
of the very nations that had committed the robbcries
| complained o.
Andrew Jackson beheld the delay Of justice with in
dgna,ion and resolved that prompt reparation should
be made lie accordingly instructed our Ministers At
the Courts which had perpctraed the robberes to press
their Negotiations TO issue, and earnestly require
immediate payment of the sums that were due; and IN
case of refusal threaten letters of marque and repri
SAL or open hostlites, until satisfaction be obtained
| These energetic circumstances made deep impress
sion on Courts familiar with every species ofar,ful de-
Law and civil evasion. They must pay or fght-there
was escape from the dilemma Inc character 0,
| Gen. Jackson well known-his vast influence and
popularIty and the remarkable decision and resolution
that distinguished him from other mon, was well under
stood lis personal character was indeed the chief
cause OF the Of these critical negotiations
The inferior powers grew alarmed and pad the mo-
ney at once France alone hestated, reluctant 10 dis
gorge her prey and confident in her great resources
! France however, would have yielded it she had
not have been encouraged by the divisions that took
place in Congress- Emboldened by this dIscord in our
councils, oe which she carefully informed by our
agents. she assumed an attitude OF dehance ana h0s'
| ity.
In times of peace and security, there are none SO
loud and arrogant the leaders of the Federal wing
party They are noisy patriots and courageous states
men. Words hardly be found big enough TO ex'
press their astonishing love of country and vaior
Ducc deeor est pro patria mort, is their favorIte
maxim.
But it IS surprising what difference the approach o.
real danger makes in their feelings. They feel their
courage like Bob Acres, in the play, gradually leaving
then lit is certainly going-they can feel It oozlne
ont at the ends of their fingers. Presently they dis
cover with the brave old knight, Sir John Fastaf, tho
s'dscrcton is the better purt OF vnlor AT least, all
other considerations but those of safety disappear and
they willing 10 make the most abect submissions
secure peace on any terms.
On the present occasion, the Fedcrasts proved
themselves to be the party that had taken sides
with England against their own country IN ISL lhey
counted the French moneythey numbered the French
army-they exaggerated the French power and spoke
of our own resources with contempt. In 4 paroxysn
of fright, they turned on the Administration and We
hementlv accused the President Of having brought thu
thourht the best way would be TO make apologies Il
, France and perhaps she might pardon US They
would not vote for any measures Of defence-the,
were for abandoning the country TO It's fnte-et VIVA
miuht happen they secure, tor they had Away
been the friends of the French King and he knew it
Mr. Webster said he would not vote for appropriation
to defend the country if the cannon OF inc enc
nv were baterng down the walls of the Capitol.
And this man and his party now call themselves exciu
siye patriots Another name would suit them better
But the President was not 10 be dismayed by thei
inv ectycs nor alarmed at their deserton In goo
eau, he was of danntless resolution. Inc De
moe ra tic party prevailed; and when france saw lie
frc. IDS beaten her courage abandoned her one care
not po TO war with America, for which she was really
uup,-epared while Jackson was onr President. Sin
back ed out of the scrape and paid the money TO the les
cent, of principal and interest in gold Its amour
was % millions Of francs. 1T was distributed ialr
amo ng the sufferers who survived, anu the aiiiies
those who were dead.
Who were the true patriots and who the false pre-
ten ders,
The aggregate amount ofthe ndemnities was consi
derabe, but the influence of the exacon OF their pay
r msnt was Of still greater importance.
RI All Europe which had seen the injury witnessed tn
atonemen Several old and powerful Kingdoms wer
seen humblng themselves before Republic, scarcei!
{ out of its infancy.
Before This time the President had ordered expe
diton to proceed against the Malays in the Pac'h
Ocean, who had committed dcpredatons on our com
mercc 1t was completely successful and carried tn
terror of our arms among all the piratical nations
e those seas Since that period the American lag hn
!. been uniformly respected in the East
fleet, composed of the smaller vessels OF our navy
was likewise against the pirates who were esta
blished in the West India Islands. The armed boat
Of the squadron pursued them into all their most secre
retreats stormed their forts, burned their vessels
executed their rngleaders. Their establishments wer
/ completely destroyed.
An incident that took place about this time showe
the high respect and awe IN which the American slano
I ard was held. We aude 10 the cnse of Mr.. Ponset
who intimdated mob of ruiiians about to attack hi
house, By merely unfolding the .spanged bnnne
on the balcony OF his house. The majesty of the Re
public was vindcaed. The silent warning was snoug
5 for them, and they dispersed The name of American
citizen has become talisman potent to protect il
owner from violence rs that of Roman citizen use
to be.
The Northeastern Boundary question presented
formidable appearance last summer. Hostes almos
occurred Maine called out her militia The Governo
, of New Brunswick called out his troops
Nofb;no is more true than that tmidty and rashnes