Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1841-08-06
For IHE ENQUIRER.
FRANCIS : KEY r,norfit

; hEf-KrmUrfI3
The Public Prints have announced the dismlsslon OF
Francis 5 Key Esq, from the office Of Attorney for
The District Of Columbia-a situation he has filed for
several years.
The position this gentleman has occupied, and ever
must occupy in the affections and national pride of his
coun;rvmcn, renders his removal, i would any and
every event materially connected with his forunes-a
not of curiosity merely, but one Of sincere and
deep interest with all the vlrtuous and patriotic. The
fine genius and professional ability Of MIR. key have
been always admitted The purity, the pic'y and e!e
vaon of his walk aud character have won for him the
esteem Of the good-as the elegance of his TASTE and
urbany Of his manners, have attracted 10 him the ad
miratiun of The cultivated and refined, throughout the
widely extended circle Of his acquaintance. Against
his official fidelity and usefulness, no excess OF party
audaciy subscrvicncy, shameless as this has be-
come has dared to venture even surmise. Qualities
ike these, il might have been anticipated, would have
PRED respect and forbcarancc for their possessor
But Difference and iorbcarance and to much more than
these that possessor had still a further clan-a clam
10 be recognised with icrvor through all time, and
when his prosecutors shall long have been sunk Oh
scuriiy or inlamy; clam founded upon hls splendid
offering the liberty, the chivary and glory Of his
country his nimiiable national poem of the STAR
SrAsGLrn B,ssgR:'- the offspring of lofty spirit
which captivity so far from being able to cpress, seem
cd rather inspire BY arousng It's heroic devotion to
righteous cause, and strengthening ITS truth IN Just
Providence for the success Of that cause, then
rounded By the most untoward appearances. But how
shall brave and generous people regard those rulers
who attempt TO degrade and inlure the man. who, al
such crisis for his country, calls up 10 her aid what
ever is lofty, and faithful and devoted IN the breasts OF
his compatrots, and gives TO that country magic
watchword by which to summon her children in every
future season of trial and danger VIII not such a
peope mcte 10 such rulers their meri!ed reward Yes,
surely. The SrAR-SrAscLEp BANNER shall kinde
glow in American heart whilst one shall remain
worthy to inhabit "ruE LAND or TnE FREE, ASD THE
HOME or BRAVE" and shall cause 10 be poured
out upon that grovelling maligny, which now strikes
its excellent and accomplished author tremendous
and overwhelming disgust and scorn Perhaps The
inspiration which conceived and embodied that mobile
efIusion has been the very which has rendered
lis author obnoxious to vengeance, with the dominant
mower in the Government Let the period and The
events co.cral with lis productions, be recalled
t recurrence too be had to those who were actors IN
The scenes Of that tinc-neithcr should by Americans
be ever for moment forgotten ana 10 their tempo
rorv oblivion effected by cunning scshness operating
upon misguided passion, may be 4crI6ed that maiign
ascendancy, which at present rules or raeT mislues
the nation
The bucheres at Hampton had then been recently
acted-thc Capitol of the nation with a lis specimens
of art and all the treasures of science and literature
contained had Just been wrap in flames; and The same
Vandal horde by whom these violations OF civilized
wa rfare had been perpetraed, anticipating re-
newa of like atrocities in the neghborng city OF Bal
tmore. ~
Francis S Key, Commissioner on board British
vessel was compelled not TO tor that was no, permit
tod him but 10 know and abide the attack OF the enemy
unon The deenccs the city But the hold OLA British
shin could not mprison the impulses Of the patriot
heart nor conceal from his knowledge the gallant pear
ING of his countrymen, III cleansing from the Pon",
lion of hostile JootStep the soil OF his neioVed
country Amidst tile excitement Of the conflict, hs
noble and inspired mind poured forth The STAR span
c1rp B.x<En," a production ind'ssonbly linked win
he honor the chvalry the glory and independence oil
the American conlederacy. But where, during these
occurrences was the man who now "ieids Poruoh
noo LARGE portion IT any, whatsoeyer,) OF The power
r IN. Government and who seeks, IN the abuse OF tha
nower 10 dshonor and Cypress faithful patriot Vir.
iuou, citizen an accomplished and elegant gentleman:
Ave, where was Daniel Webster in tins time OF peru:
He too was playing his parts on The theatre OF pubic
life and n rehearsal Of few OF his prominent acln9s
seems due simple Justice ii IS necessary, i'he"'se
~ an calculation of the motives for Mr hey reno
val IL was the honorable distinction OF Danie wen
stqr to paate if not 10 justify the cause ana tue ac's
nj an insoent enemy the ensaver ana murderer Vi
his Ilow.citizens and TO denounce IN unmeasured con-
,,.,;o, evsrv effort Of Jefferson and Madison Tor
tho prevention Of wanton and reiterated outra9e-to
refuse TO his country every supply ct men or money
10 deny TO her sodiery in the held even "his' 'ie
,rcad of the invader upon her SOL, ana wheh le
innocent and helpless, and unarined were naue Tue
victims of more than savage enormiiy, oiahRct OF
,.,;ono tannt his country with the calames she was
suffering by calling them an entertd'nmen,-to oo's'
that he knew The precise line to which ne ihsi' ="
safety advance III opposition to our own Government
f;be hair breadth line IT presumed "hich sePa'a
w., c,om ,,eosonD and that up TO this line it was ms
deliberate purpose and that of his associates TO
These are portion of the achievements oil Dah'e Weo
ser to whom Christening Providence has permitted
an acquisition Of power even the power 10 nssa w,,
aoad, Tia, such being should hate and prosecute a
M, like Francis s Key, natural as tiat hfe anu
ratcr c,nno, exist in union for, the life and example
Of the latter, and still the bessowal OF honor and
esteem upon him, reflect censure, living ana aas
reproach upon the former too sever soo sum
u n;nre Francis s Key woald be deemed improbable by
Cav who arc capable Of comprehendng these two men
hut nv many il will be viewed with feelings bordering
on asionshnent that John Tyler, the son OF John ~
ler sternly honest Democrat and Pa'F0t-lha' JONI