Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1841-04-02

But these, and others, IRE we'll touched by Cores
pondent IN this days paper under the signature of
IAN APPEAL. 1t supersedcs the necessity of our
dwelling longer upon the Issues before the Peo
pie. But cannot forbear word of cxliortaon.-
Republicans TO the PoHs!.
VIRGINIA AND THE NEW ADMINisIRATioS-lNo No. IL
The Spring Elections.
Ever since the result Of the late Presidential election
has been known the position of Virginia has been Of the
most commanding character. The stand which Ia
ken in that contest by "the blessed mother of US ALL
will always be conspicuomsy remembered in the politi
cal history of America. The suffrage of this venerable
Commonwealth was not ven in opposition TO the pre-
sent dynasty upon slight or trivial grounds ii was be-
slowed upon the late Republican Chief Magistrate
after the most unbounded freedom Of discussion and
after the maturest deberaton the part Of the Peo
pie. Assailed, the Republican creed then was, IN
its very vtals by all the arts and appliances OF Federal
Whiggery, the deep Designs OF winch were out olniy
apparent, ordinary victory Tor the Democratic
party 10 triumph over all the dangers which were en-
CONFERRED 1t now remains for the members of that
party to determine whether not the moral force and
influence thut suspicious victory shall be weakened by
defeat at the present crisis OF affairs; whether or not
the wreath which encircles the brow OF the old
Dominion shall fade like summers rose; whether or
not they will now in their faith, and flag in
their Spirits after all that they have hitherto endured
with 80 much manly ardor and forbearance
The near approach of the Spring elections calls for
the utmost activity and vigilance throughout the state
The importance of the coming contest cannot be too
highly appreciated Apart from Federal politics. the
of the Legislature will be rendered more
than ordinarily interesting by the 'grave and weighty
matters which will come before 1.-THE election oil
Governor the reapporonment of representation ought
not to strive to elect whose principles are con-
sonant to those ever held dear by the Old Dominion
men fit TO bear the trust and the responsibility OF
guarding the peace Of the State and the safety OF the
Citadel IN these trying tines Should the unfortunate
difference between Virgn and New York continue
to increase 1t has done during the last u months,
the Legislature will indeed be the of most
extraordinary drama, and parts will be enacted of which
no one conceves. The concluding in the
late Legislature has been appropriately styled "farce
Ii is now over and hope for the honor OF our State,
soon to be forgotten But in the name of this glorious
Union, while apprehend evil, let ns hope that the
next session may not present any OF the solemn cha
racterslics of tragedy With such a contingency be-
fore US, should not be provided with actors OF the
first class The subject of rcdpportioament is Ike
wise of great delicacy, and upon which, action
should be had with very great care These two cons'-
deratons of themselves therefore, should induce eve
ry to scrulinze with diligence the candidates VINO
would gain his vote. They call for and require men
of the strongest stamina and the utmost weight oil Cha
racter-mcn whose title to The confidence and esteem
of the people has been by those stern virtues
of the head and heart, which fall than by their
personal habits and their pleasing manners. Let US
liza ye Legislature Of bold, unfnching men, who have
the moral courage 10 yOle IOI "
the State unsifrigh,ed by temporary clamor and IN
seduced by the barney Of interested individuals, COM
panies and banks.
1t has been long, since any legislature chosen IN
Virginia solely with reference TO the abiding tarnt'and
permanent principles of its members Party contests
strictly so called there have been in al! abundance
contests between the friends OF the different candidates
for the Presidency of the IT, S-contests for place and
power the glitter Of office, temporary sectional into
rests, and lastly for what was recently fashionable
hobby with the Wings, "ihe spols Yet what IS the
avail Of all this political commoiun and these severe
throes which the country has passed through it, al the
finale OF the struggle, the opinions OF the State are not
known upon the few questions which are alone OF any
paramount importance 10 lis citizens: Is the voice Of
| Virginia 10 be hushed by the non-commtallsm or du-
bous reasoning of those who have been elected to her
councils on account of their preference for men Is it
not time 10 bring out from the old Republican
clans sages, whose princptcS have been orthodox ana
whose faith tatered, though they may have gwen
obnoxious votes for particular men. There are now IN
the Wing ranku many "good men and true, who have
been csranged from by the undue bitterness Of party
strife, but who want net the disposition 10 return 10
their first love whenever occasion shall offer. IL IS Tor
the champions of the faith throughout Virginia 10
saw whether these lost links shall not be restored 10 the
chain and the Republican party bound TO-
Cether by firm and indissolubc ties.
The Old Dominion has long since taken her sta nd
on the great question Of the construction Of the Federal
Constitution and the extent OF the powers intended TO
be granted by il 10 the Executive and the Legislative
depar tments Of the Government This stand adopt
cd after hearing and considering the conflicting counses
her greatest intellectual gantsher Henry, Lee Mar
hall, Madison, Taylor Randolph and others Younger
men, too, have illustrated and adorned it with her clio.
uuence, until it may be considered immutabtc.-
Opposition to Federal encroachment, 10 cunsiruc-
tive enlargement of the powers of Congress- to a
National Bank and the moneyed power in general,
to high Tariff, TO Internal Improvement By the
General Government and to Distribution, ought to
be fairly reckoned among the cardinal principles Of
the old Common wealth. II is, comparatively, seldom
that any one is met with who, whatever may be his
opinions has the honesty ofpurpose, and the holiness,
to avow dissent from these important articles OF tho
Democratic faith The Presidential contest of last No.
vernbcr conducted, solely with regard 10 the
correctness incorrecness of these articles Of aith
for how many Of those who foremost in the hrong
that shouted for Tppecanoe, Log Cabins, and Hard
Cider, there who profcsscd the utmost devotion
to all the substantial part of that very partys creed
which they aiding to put down! The friends Of
Gen. Harrison in Virginia did not cectloneer Tor him
as the opponent Of the principles above referred 10
neither did they oppose Mr. Van Buren, and the Demo-
cratic party, much account of the doctrines they
tossed, account OF the abuses and coruptons
which alleged to exist, defauters, expenditures,
standing army, hard times, and numerous other evils
which were laid at his door Now, supposng all
these charges against Mr.. V. BIS administration to
have been true and the worther OF regard because de-
Tended by his friends they not all merged now -
Is there drelu oil ABUSES 10 men from act
int with party, whose avowcd principles they have
been ever ready 10 approve Now shorn of its power,
it any longer perretra,e wrong and produce hard
tines: Surely not, and those who declined cooperat
ing with the Democratic party on account OF its ALLEGED
support of corrupt Administration, cannot refuse
to Join in the still grave contest which has
incur in support of its vital interests. To this
pie xion it must at last: The honest voters who
have acted from the right regardless Of consequences
and without the hope of obtaining o6iee-"the Repub
can portion of the Wing par,y'-theso will coon be
forced into their true position.
BY preparing for the coming contest, the Democratic
party has incurred the imputation Of declaring war in
advance upon Gen. Harrison. This charge comes with
i'll grace from party, that swore such eternal hostility
to Van Buren, than lie elected President.
But be So If defining the standard by which new
Administration is to be Judged be declaring in ad-
vance, let us have, we say, an everlasting war! We
but erecting the old Republican standard, and
be unto the Administration that departs from it!
Gen. Harrison elected certain pledges and
promises. He is in office, and it remains TO be