Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1842-02-08
ADDRESS
OF THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLICAN CoNvENTios
Held at Richmond, on lie End Of FeJ, I-ls

To the PropLK OF VIRGINIA
As the Representatives Of the Democratic Repulr
can Party OF Virginia assembled IN Convention " X
sire briefly TO call your attention 10 the course o Pu
lie events, since the accession Of the Wing Party !
power II might not, perhaps be inappropriate on ms
OCCASION to speak of the late Presidential canvass
animadvert on the extraordinary and dlscreditaOe
to which that Party descended, 10 get possession
of the powers of Government. But the subject caano
be fully discussed within the narrow limits Of this -
dress; and, we viii therefore merely say that "
course Of our opponents in that canvass vas ~ mh,
respects, grossly insulting TO public intelligence
corrupting TO the public morals, and disgraceiu! /.
the Wing Party and, as it finds no parable! - o''
past history, 30, trns, that none will be afforded 7.
the future. Without dwelling longer on this therr
let US pass on to the measures of the Wing pahyIe
US see, whether in the use which they have mace Y
their ill-golten power redeeming merit he ioan.
10 atone for the mode in which they oblanedit
OF General Harrison's Administration, we desire y
say but little. From the day of his induction INTO
fce, he was necessarily surrounded by host q ~.
cry expectants, demanding oicr and emoumen' Il O.
hands, rs the reward of their parilzan services w.
the old mans days cmbittered, IT not shoieht,
by their harrassng mportunites and prosecutions :"
the brief month, during which he filled the frrsofA
tial Chair, the character Of his Administration was a
perhaps, fully developed. Without dwelling on Us
proscriptivc system, which lie pursued IN violation "
the strongest pledges, we will only refer TO h !.
important measure-the call BY Proclamation d ~ =
,raordinary Session Of Congress, 10 consider o ~
portant and weighty matters, principally growing ~.
the condition of the Revenue and Finances OF he e.'
try" In taking this STEP lie but executed the 81 /"
the leaders Of the Wing Party. Congress consen'a v
the 3ls of May, lo4l, i'll obedience 10 his Poc.aH!
ton: but, before It's meeting, by the dIspensa.a =
Providence, General Harrison removed ifom
high station to which he had been elevated by hscaa
trymen. On his death, the duties of the Presde''i
Office devolved the Vice President, john w.
while the Wing party, with minority in both ito.''
of Congress, stood responsible TO the country, of +"
| legislation of the extra session.
The Democratic members of the last General ~.
bly,, lin their Address TO the People Of Virginia g.
10Th March, lS4l,) made this prediction: AN ~
session of Congress will probably be called, 70 ~
their favorte measures the country, while the '"
party yet remains united How soon was tbs Pr.
ton fulfilled On The 18th Of March, The very Z.
day, the proclamation issued for Congress 70 co"''
and in the sequel, will shcw the true chaiaee
the measures then proposed and adopted, and ~
the means by which they forced on the '9lo .
in hot haste, while the Wing party still renamed =
GENTLY united to effect their object
! During the Presidential canvass, and whhe
were seeking for power, the Wings made hbr'-
misses 10 the people. They led them TO eSPee, -
event OF their success general relief 10 all me
fancled dstresses Of the country, which they 'a n
6dently ascrbed 10 the NAL administration Of '"'
mocratic party.-They led them to expect, a reform
of the currency; an equalization of the e1chans,
nancia and commercial prosperity; an econon'"' +,
vernment; light taxes; and wise admins,fauo" j,
deed, it asserted, that the mere success .,'
Wing party, the simple knowledge OF the az
Gen. Harrison elected President, would o.
restore confidence, revive credit and add m I. &
the value Of the property Of The country J." 80,
party did succeed. They carried the election o.
President and Vice. President, and obtained M
in both Houses of Congress. Since the lib o. ~ /,
1871, they have been in power, and have COM" 4
and directed the legislation of an entire se.s .gs
Congress What is tie result? Have their vauh mt +,
cesses wrought the mighty charm ofunisersal po,i
ty' Have their splendid anticipations been
or their specious promises fulfilled On the
the disorders of the currency and exchanges
undated. The deepest commercial distress bsse
the land. Property is sinking in value me- ":!,nea,
greatly increased the expenditures OF the u0's oner
while at the time they have borrowed n, he r,'
defray them. They have raised the taxes ." l,,re
pie, while they have given to the States 'nF
venue derived from the public lands lhey - .la,:
bshed and funded public debt, in tune ,s,as B,d
profound peace They have passed an oa'. .,l: az
rupt Law, to sponge out millions OF drp's 'ao5ear
tracted, and honestly due. Twice have lney ya.o'
ed 10 fix upon the country nnconstitu,oa1d ,oa
al Bank and twice have we been sniei'eu the. ~
the interposi,ion Of The Executive Veto IN. ga
disssipated the resources, and dlaPldate' '"s