Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1841-02-27

Gentlemen ! admire the spirit and teron., or
your comments on the proceedings of the "Politica
Class of William K Mary" and fully accord with
your views on the "Restrictive SYSTEM so mildly
and appropriately expressed. Nothing seems TO
me more erroneous, would say absurd if I could
use the term without offence, which is far from nv
"l'n or design, than the application OF abstract DO
liIeal principles, however correct, TO any one ma.
ton, IN every possible contingency. without re6.,.
enee to the policy Of other nations with whom she
has to do II is abstractly wrong that nation should
war against nation, devastate each others coun.
uy-slay thousands -and entail misery and distre,s
on the innocent and unoffendng but would il be
proper TO act uniformly on this priDciple and sufFsr
foreign nations to violate our fag-seize our ,hins-
make slaves OF our peope-and heap the grossest
insults on us with impuDty7 Our policy towards
iore'gn nations must Of necessity be more or less
influenced by the policy Of these nations towards
us-nnd the closet political economist should pon,Ier
long and seriously before he propa gates among our
rising youth, principles, which, as you Justly re
mark can be applicable only TO a hworld c0srno.
polite IN is goyernmenp-if IL is legitimate ~.
pression--but which, as the world now exists must
produce the most disastrous results TO any one nj,
ton which will adopt and act on them. 1 have
every respect Tor the high literary reputation of Pro
lessor Dew, which u IS very probable he richly me-
nts but the greatest and wisest among men may
err, and have no doubt that the wise men who at.
lin that fish might be placed in bowl filed with
water to the brim, without OVERLOOKING IT,, we're ~
thoroughly convinced Of the correctness of their re-
spectve theories the Professor is Of his and its
applicability 70 TIE existing condition Of the nations
Of the Earth.
regret 10 find from his letter 10 his constituents.
that the Hon. r. NJ. +. Hunter is strongly tinetur.
ed with this spirit respect this gentleman's pri-
yate character as all must who know him, or hove
heard rs much as have Of him, and have been in.
cined 10 think Svorably Of his abilities Bot his
extra OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES consequential assumption
OF exclusive pursm-and his obstinate adherence 10
abstract notions, which never can be usefuy ap.
pied TO practice as long the world exists in lie
present state, totally unfit him for the duties Of e-
gislauoni and with oil difference 70 his better iudg
meni, would suggest the propriety Of his with
drawing from them. We want men in our coun.
oIs, az This time especially, who have frmness and
decision 10 maintain their principles and opinions
as long as they are calculated 20 do good which
they should have the discrimination always 10 dis
cover, but who have the magnanimity and indie
pendeoce 10 abandon when their tendency is evil.
A word 70 yourselves. gentlemen, before I close.
As the "Compromise Act" draws 10 its termination
the policy Of the "RostTictiye System" ~ again.
perceive, 70 become an xcng topic throughout
| our country. The views which you have lately
| expressed on this momentOus subject, have been
characterized Ivy temperance and forbearanee
highly oommendable. trust that the same spirit
VII distinguish your paper in all future discussions
u should be borne IN mind that yours is the lead
ng journal on the side Of popular rights in our State
and ~ TO DO looked TO rs prominent instrument 10
give tone and vgor 10 the Wing interest. Enligbt-
ening and nssrucling their fellow citizens, and not
| overhrowing and prostrating their adversares,
should be the pleasure OF politicians end Statesmen
STAFFORD.