Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1843-11-03


in the several States of this vast conederacy Three
times week during the Winter, and twice week
during the balance OF the year, do they send forth
their paper, filled with political, commercial grculiu.
ral and literary matter. Think of the labor
CURED TO do all this; think the number Of
which the Editors are com pc led to examine and from
which they have 10 select; think Of the great number
o: editorials which they write for u.s. and the time ap
proprated to that object think Of their extensive cor.
resPnndence the time consumed BY IT, and the heavy
poslages incurred, all TO enable them the better to in
struct, amuse and serve their subscribers The Edi-
tors not only furnish vast deal Of information,
but they send large sheet printed with very good
type, and the paper used IS unexceptonable.T The
quantity OF paper which ICY purchase every year is
very large and the cost must be considerable Then
there is the and tear of The types, and last though
BY means least, The large amount paid the way
of wages to those who perform the mechanical duties
of the Enquirer office. The thus employed are
not Lilipuans, content with slender rations, slender
clothes, and slender wages for services rendered; on
contrary they have wants similar TO and doubt
less receive fair aud reasonable compensation How
these expenditures to be met if subscribe for the
Enquirer, receive ii, and read it every week with such
extreme satisfaction to forget 10 send on the quta
pro quo The "Coons' say that MIR. Thomas hitchie
IS great magician, and apprehend that some OF hs
subscribers have been nocuated with this belief, and
have taken up the IMPRESSION that he possessed The
wand of Midas, and therefore never thought or cared
whether owed him dollar.
Letus remember that the Enquirer advocates Poi'-
teal principles which not only believe to be correct
but which We regard as essential TO the existence and
permanence Of free government. say nothing OF The
ability which characterizes its editorial articles as
might be suspected of fattery This much the Editors
will not object my saying, because 1t IS an obvious
truth that the Enquirer has never been prosttuted 10
the encouragement of public vice, personal SANDER or
private maligniiy. Ii has always evnced laudable
reverence for religion, and proper respect for all
the moral virtues which adorn and illustrate society.
1t has zealously advocated the preservation OF pub
lie and private faith-the maintenance Of order-the
advancement OF the great cause OF educaiion-the
| extension of commerce-domes.c and foreign
the improvement Of agriculture, and the practice
of industry and economy, without which people can
be Free happy and vrluous Had the senior Editor OF
the Enquirer been ANXIOUS TO accumulate wealth for
himself and family, he might have done so long ago
He might have obtained lucrative station with ease,
and without dishonor. Unlike some other editors he
paid court to power. o. sought the spos OF othce
but glorying in freedom, gloryng in being the editor
of an independent Republican paper, loving old fir-
rna and her cherished principles, he has relied Tor his
support upon the Intelligence, the patriotism, and,
not add the justice of his subscribers. 1t for them
10 say whether they will continue 10 receive and read
his paper without paying for It,
| The Editors having discharged their duty, il be-
comes all 10 enquire, whether have discharged
ours return THIS is the question for each of TO
decide. If we have not, not admonished by
regard for justice and our own self respect TO come
forward without delay, and pay up all arrears'-"ReD
der 10 all their daeS; tribute to whom tribute is due
and "whatsoever ye would that men should do 10 you,
do We even so to them? This is not ony the Ian
suase of Holy WRIT but The dictate of conscience
Justice acknowledged by the ancents 10 be the
preme virtue, and often called by them the only
one including all others The title gwen 10 Arstides
by his counlrymen, is illustration of the high es
nation in which they held IT, II is not, as some re-
present it, mechanical virtue, only fit for trades
men or the vulgar No, indeed! de who thinks thus,
value lightly the appreciation of his own breast
or the esteem Of honest men Some persons are more
ambitious TO appear generous, than 10 be just; thinking
that there is only simple justice in paying their debts,
while there is something great in being generous
They should consider, that ell generosity is vicious,
when INDUCED to defeat materially obsruct the
claims Of justice; and, while generosity s n5t to De
condemned il should never take precedence over JUS
tice. speak Of justice, not in its technical, legal
sense such as Shyock understood and desired, when
he called for his pound of flesh, but ! speak of 1t IN
that comprehensive which embraces and refers 70
the constant will and determination OF nm individual to
mete out every man his due-that justice, without
the observance of which, of nice honor would be
unwilling to engage in civil and social transactions-
Justice not less essential 10 the well being oil society,"
than to the stability of Government ITSELF "Ihere ~,
said Carnot, shut one means to render Government
frm--ths is justice. Ii there be, Bongbroke said
there great power in reputation there is far greater
power in justice. Timour, the mighty Tartar, he
said when asked fer advice by fellow Emperor, $50
vereigny is like tent, the poles of which should be
order that it may stand firm against the blasts Of
adversely"
Bu, find myself DEPRESSING. and will return my
subject awaEe, my friends, that during the last
three yearsthat is TO say since the Coons got
into power, have all suffered more less from the
pecunary pressure, and that most of Us have been
able to meet our engagements as promptly and pune
tually, wished or antic pated. THIS will account
part for omission to pay for the Enquirer in ad
vance, or at the expiration Of the year; yet believe
many Of US omit to pay dues from mere lnatten
ton or cupabe forgetfulness Let each and all Of
endeavor to remember our du,es and perform them
henceforwerd with greater fidelity. Let US all remem
ber that by our contract, bound pay ain the
Office" or remit By mail postpaid; and that the trouble
OF collection should not devolve on The Editors. Let
not impose upon them the unpleasant necessity, the
expensive alternative of employing agent to visit US
at our several Court Houses several homes, 10
dun us in person for sums small that We may, with
out difficulty, forward them by mail, post pad, or by
trusty friends.
The terms upon which the Enquirer is published
prove that the parties who contract do not contemplate
that the Editors to encounter any trouble expense
in the collection of their dues from subscribers and
Justice demands, that we impose upon them no csnd
ton, 10 which they have not assented when the con-
tract made. The sum due by each of Us, to the
Editors, is small, and its payment cannot at any tme
prove very inconvenient yet like the item of posages
these email debts, added together amount to round
sum in the aggregate. If we desire IN keep our Re
publican flag flying on the watchtower, we must, ac
cordng to our solemn stipulation, furnish the necessa
nv supplies TO those who have il under their control
The compliment Of subscribing for and reading The
Enquirer, will do very well, so far as it goes but it
does not 90 quite far enough. The compliment is not
less substantial, when accompanied by payment. II
then possesses sincerity which an Editor can apprs
cia,e and there is solidity about it, which inspires
him with feeling of comfort and security. Talk as
we may, about backing our friends with large sub
scripon list, with the names Of thousands of snbscr
bers, the best subscription is subscription paid up
no, in miserable bankrupt notices, but in specie, or its
equivalent That is the sort of subscription which
honest Editor Ids and should receive Editors know
as well as you, or that bird in the hand, is worth
two in the bush.
do not set myself up as model for your imita-
ton frankly confess, that | have not always paid
for my paper in advance; but while ] have snned in
this particular will strive to avoid it hereafter. Our
November courts close by and take leave, respect
fully to suggest that all of Us, who are indebted 10 the
Enquirer, should then Representatives in the
General Assembly, and pay over, through them, TO
The Editors the amount due from each subscriber. If
this be inconvenient impractcable then let us all
pay our dues in the Office, remit by mall postpaid,
| hoI moon hic and new wears dav