Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1842-10-18
tE,em Me Wsre,s,er Palladium

The pubic meeting Of the convention III the aller
noon was fully attended, and was effectively addressed
by b. F. Halleu E.q OF Boston, and Col. MerrIck, OF
Worcester. Invitation had been given to the Hon.
Levi Woodbury. be present; from whom, IN reply, the
following letter received:
PoEr sMouru, n. II Sept %, lSl2
Dear Sir! Ii would give much pleasure TO accept
your invitation and address the Democratic Conven'
lion of Worcester county next Saturday; but ctcum
stances not under my control prevent II; lregret 'Ns
more especially, the lines lu!l ct interest ana
warning. The Democracy of the country, ere, on inc
Que hand, exposed To unusual temptations rom Tue
Establishments of power and TIE other, 10 imminent
da from the exerion making in all FORMS open ana
covert BY misrepresentation and ds5eputaoe appeals
10 the senses mislead the community as to the true
questions in issue All this must be met and maniuiy
Our cause too good either 10 he compromised or 1851
While Justice should be done even to an enemy, and
his acts sustained where right, we owe t TO the n"oie
principles that constitute The creed Of tie Democratic
party TO rally round them alone, and the persons alone
who support them under evil as we'll as good report
They The true pillar Of fire, when cal gnlae 'he
country through the darkness that has recently en-
yeoped il. They are few and plain: Equet r,ShfS-
fgual cpisiaion-tgaQi protection. 1t we permit none
but favored few, constituting an ohgarchy Of properly
to vote or hold Office counenance one OF lac gross
est violations of equal rights. The times have ehangeo
To the qualifications of the great Masses in society
like ours for self government and if, under the nfu.
ence OF our LIBERAL institutions, and more widely spreau
education for half century, n no are accustomed 70
transact the ordinary business, and discharge Tue re
soonsblties Of social life, not entitled TO voice III
the Government, which they help to support IN peace
and defend in war; and cannot safely be entrusted with
IT. our whole system Of RepubIcanism and equai rghts
is solemn farce Let the idea, then, be secuted ina.
matter should rule rather than mind; and mat money
or and-ofen possessed by Inheritance or ACCIDENT
should, by some of divine right, possess prefer
ence and weight in government, which are refused 10
prudence, industry, intelligence, and oil the virtues
that adorn humanity.
AS 10 unequal legislation in Republic, 1t IS only
necessary to define il in order to dcest it. Such legis
lation consists for instance, in comforting privileges
on some which withholds from others; and imposing
burdens on the many, from which it exempis the 1ew
without any just equivalents. On the contrary tue
Democratic creed is, that the privileges, as wei as ID
bors and duties OF life should be iairly apportoheo-
And whether exclusive favors and monopoles are con-
ferred by law either individual or on associaseu
wealth and power, it becomes, az general rn'e' uhe-
quail legislation, and un Just in It's tendency, no less lah
partial in lis origin.
Union OF efforts and means, undoubtedly increases
security and strength; but whether conhnedto Govern
ments or to social and political associations, u must
possess no exclusive features, and rest on principles
alike beneficial all; or it will, as IN Governments,
prove in practice the harbnger OF desposm ana sia
very If oil are allowed fully to participate IN The be-
ncGts Of legislation, then most oil the d'verses III sue
cess life, in acquiring property, influence, OF once,
are the natural fruits Of the liberty we prze' ana Tue
erior industry and ugalIly any may exert unoef u,
4 anu mus DO tncy OIeu reap thS' J'''
MS behold in advance the great stimulus 10 ur'hef ell
! forts.
| Last hut not least, at the present moment Is tue
agiiang topic Of equal protec
! Is it possible, however much m'srepressneo' mat
the Democratic party hostile 10 that Kind oil proec-
| ton; ,
So far from This they are lis champions Whhe' on
the contrary, II is opponents, who resist equai
protection aud sec! that which is unequal. "hrh we
adver, 10 The protection due to the person. property,
1 - r.. ,T ulI
was mainly established few can deny the proPfety oil
making il equal among individuals and classes but
the moment approach the protection, ciameo ny ON
feren professions and pursuits the hoased protective
sys;em-is To be cngrossed chiefly by one branch oil
industry This the great party of equality, justice,
and progress oppose. They unwilling to neglect
\ agriculture and commerce for The exclusive ncvan'
tage of manufactures. But go Tar IRON being nos
tile to the latter, they would confer as ample pro-
lection on it, Us on other branches Of American labor
and American industry. All, however, ought 10 cry
shame on that kind OF protection which would make
farmers being the only true lords oil the so INFERIOR
or tributary 10 the spindle and The spinning Jenny
No, Sir, tax imports ui foreign merchandise the que
share for revenue and let that tax be so imposed as 10
weld equal incidental protection to all kinds of domes
tic labor and alone against foreign cconpetI-
ton But introduce homeopathy in the pubic burdens
no injustice class, in order to build up another
no avorsm no fratcrnal jealousy, discord, and DIS
union Pass no laws to yield such protection as re-
ner cent more for and salt the articles nearest
bread among the necessares Of life to the great aQricu
iural population OF all the Union. Make no Tariffs,
like the last which lessen revenue rather than increase
it. and which tend augment the price of the stocks
on hand of wealthy capitalists At the expense of others
who must purchase and consume them. Exempt no
long lists of imports entirely from duty, for the beneh
of one class and burden heavier the rest to the oppes
sion of other classes Pretend not TO equalize protec
ton by higher duties rival products of ugrlcu
ture little imported while you burden much more many
articles Of most extensive agricultural consumption
On the contrary let all this be reformed The Demo.
cratic principle is wide, deep and eernal-that equal
rights equal laws and equal protection are due 10 every
ineres, and section of that glorious Union, which all
Of us should strive to perpetuate by requiring its at
fairs TO be so administered to practically to all
the fell enjoyment of those equal rights, equal laws,
and equal protection.
With much respect,
Your obedent servant,
LEVI WOODBURY..
J. S. c. KSowLroS, Esq