The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-12-19
THE RICHMOND ENQUIRER AND
THE EXCHEQUER

tutIOnallty ot tue EHchequtT, VIC Weie Hoi "e'u
atcd by disputaious spirit, aud, least OF all,
by desire TO excite any unkind feeling on hts
part We are quite too sensible Of the power
of his press TO desire To awaken its thunders
against the Administration. We may have
cause TO regret even that we have extorted the
remark from the editor, that MIR. Tyler's Ad-
ministration sis not altogether after our own
heart''-since we fear that this expression is
destined TO be repeated by thousands In the
State of Virginia who are in the habit OF look
ing 10 the Enquirer as the true expounder oil all
that is correct in politics and feeling. But we
cannot complain of the Enquirer for his likes
or his dislikes. Mr.. Tyler may have done
something since he has been in Office hur)ut to
the Democracy. The majority now in the LIE
gisature of Virginia might have beenmuch larger
Than il is, if some other person had been al
the head Of this Government-and yet, II our
information be correct, for four years prior 10
Mr.. Tyler's accession TO the Presidency 1t re-
auired a resort TO figures 10 ascertain which
party had III" majority; whereas, since MS ac-
cession, single spring election has put that
matter at rest We may have felt at times that
the Enquirer was wanting in duty to a Repub
lican Chief Magistrate, who had braved all Inc
abuse that malignity could invent, or falsehood
could utter, in not having boldly bearded his as
sailants and strangled them with the power OF
truth; but of this we have not complained-nor
do we now advert to it in spirit of complaint
Our duty became more imperative to answer
the questions of the Enquirer from these con-
siderations. We answered those questions be-
cause we thought they were put to be answered,
and for another reason, viz: that MIR. Tyler has
no press at the seat of government OF Virginia
m UNFOLD and sustain him. The Richmond
Wing has, from the first, poured out upon him
torrent of abuse, while the Enquirer, for the
most part, folded its arms and said moth
ing in defence, and though approving the We
TGES, doing that with BUT. 1t was
aue 10 the Administration that its views
should be INDICATED, SO far as we could reach
the Virginia public, and we are glad that the
editorial in the Enquirer, in its attempt TO re-
flute, establishes this vindication as complete
It is no longer for US to complain that Mr.
Richie should make point with Mr.. Iyler'
when he makes the same point with Mr.. JET
ferson Nor can we be at all touched by his
fling at Mr. Webster, when he substantially de-
ciares that Mr. Jeferson's opinion OF The power
of the Government, to furnish circulating me-
dunn, is more Websterian than MIR. Webster Is
Jeffersonian. But we must yindicate the OPT
Mons of Mr.. Jefferson against the lmputation OF
rashness, or being uttered without due delloera-
,ion Mr.. Eppes was leading member Of
Congress, and standing at the head Of the Com"
mit,ee Of Ways and Means, was looked to by
the whole country for scheme OF finance. Mr..
Jefferson being his tather-in-lao, doubtless took
a deem interest in his situation and its response
bties. Is it likely that he would have written
Mr. Eppes hasiy letter, or one without dellbe-
ration? Was the fame Of his son-in-law OF SO
little value as to be ,por,ed with by the utter
ance of unfedged notions or immature oplnlonsf
The letter itself refules the imputation. 1t Is
learned, able and statesmanlike. No, Mr.
Richie Mr.. Jefferson may have been wrong
but if So he was surely wrong upon mature de-
liberation. Nor does it alter the case, that the
letter was written during the war. The Con
stitution in war, is the same as II is IN peace
and this assumption would ascribe TO Mr. JET.
(erson, the great leader Of the Democratic par
~. facility OF conscience not compatible with
his great fame.
We dare say that Mr.. Jefferson did not looh
to the Constitution TO find the very words
Congress shall have power to issue Treasury
notes not bearing an interest,"" any more thar
he would have looked there to find the words
Congress shall have power to contract loans
He might have looked until doomsday to fine
either. and his search would have been fruit
less, although Mr.. Richie would have us infe
that the power to make loans is in the Consttu
lion. Nav, he also admits that il may issu,
Treasury notes bearing an interest," but he i
horror-slricken at the idea Of issuing Treasury
notes not bearing interest. If there exists {
rational distinction between the cases, then W.
will admit his faculties are brighter than thos,
of Mr.. jefferson. The power TO make war, tc
nav debts, is in the Constitution and the pow.
er to do what is necessary and proper for either
object, follows as an incident To say that the
Government cannot issue a Treasury note, pay
able to order, or yable to bearer, for one sum,
or for another sum- because such notes may
form circulating medium for the country, and
thereby relieve the public necessities, seems tc
us to be "a most strange and most unnatural
conclusion" AS to the right to receive depo-
sites from individuals and grant certificates, we
have only to say, that il is thing o.
every day occurrence; 1t Is done by oui
national ships-it is done daily at the minis
,rithout its being so rriiten in the Consfifu
tion; and these last certificates form a portion
of the circulating medium of the United States
We conclude with the tender of our thanks
10 the editor for the assurance he gives of his
determination to support the measures of the