Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1843-11-10

KEN. I. y. BhDh ~.
A friend at 4 distance wishes 10 know our OPINION
of this gentleman, whose iccubra,ions on Government
have lately occupied 50 large a space in the Demo-
cratic Review.
There is a small class of mankind too learned TO be
wise, and ton independent 10 be just. We think MT
Brownson belongs to that class.
We have read very little of his dispositions on Go
vernment, considering 1t a waste OF time. In our NINA,
they class with the metaphysics and theories oil the
ancient schools, useful only 10 illustrate the iollies into
winch human thought leads itself, when departing from
the few simple truths which should constitute the basis
of all human institutions. Our friend complains, that
he does not understand Mr.. Brownson-we do not try
TO understand him in his speculatlons. When, how
ever, as the other day in the Massachusetts, Democratic
Convention, he raises his single voice against that ol
our unanimous Democratic brethren, denying the right
of a majority Of the people 10 alter their form oil TO-
vernment without the consent CT the Governors, we
understand HIM very well. By reading and theor'z'ng,
mis- mind has been led 10 deny the first principles OF
human liberty-and therein, he is TOO LEARNED ~ be
cise,
Speaking of General Jackson, Mr.. Brownson says
"He appears, IN his administration, To have regarded
the people as above the Constitution and laws, and 10
have held, that he secured the highest possible sanction
for his acts, when he had secured the popular approoa-
ton, formally, or informally expressed. To tins con
clusion Mr.. Browuson must have been led, by theoriz.
ing ID his closet, aud nat 10y observing events which
passed in open day. That General Jackson highly
priced the appreciation of hs countrymen, is readily
VIZ nv 10 VIZ 49, ''N' ''''Et 49,
omit an iota of his duty, lest he should incur their DIS
pleasure. TINS is forctbiy illustrated in the case Of the
Bank of the United States. That institution, at the
time Of his accession 10 the Presidency, was ex-
,remely popular. Viewing it as an institution OF
most dangerous tendency in its ultimate effects
on our free Institutions, nd believing that its pc.
pularity arose from the fact that the people were
not appri=ed Of its fatal bearings, he felt it ms duty
to call their attention 10 il on the first appropriate
occasion. He had been persuaded To strike out OF his
Innuuurnl Address 4 DassuDc which had reference to
it, and the politicians. around him who knew and feared
the strength and popularity OF the Bank, endeavorcd
to persuade hun to omit all notice of 1t in his Message
of December, 1920, as its charter had yet six years TO
run. 81 cannot sleep upon my pillow II should do so,
SAID he, one day in our hearing, $50 dangerous do |
consider tina, institution to the Liberties OF the country
The peoples attention cannot he called TO the subject
too SOON" No consideraie man doubts, that had he
Welded 10 the popular current and sanctioned the re-
charter of the Bank, he would have been re elected
without opposition, and his administration would have
been one Of The most quiet in our history. But hazar'
ding all tina! the mere politicians hold dear IN the per.
Torrance of his duty TO his country, he threw himself
against the popular tide, and though constantly bathed
by a bank governed Congress, threw back It's waves
with the strength of a thousand giants, until 1t was
made 10 flow in the right direction. Does MIR. Brown.
son see any popularity hunting IN this:
There is another illustration a~ffording a contradic
ton OF Mr.. Brownson's assertion, no lees striking =
Mr.. Gays "American System of enormous Tariff
and Internal Improvements, was just getting under
way, when General Jackson came INTO office. During
all Mr.. Clay's service IN Congress, he had never pro
cured m appropriation for n road in bis own Stale
The great inlet to the interior OF Kentucky was the
road from Maysvllle to Lexington. A company had
been incorporated to macadamize 1t; but the work lin.
gered year after year, for the want of funds. I the
first session of Congress after General ~Jackson's inau.
auration, n bill was introduced, making an approprla-
ton 10 take stock in that company. "See,' SAID the
jackson papers in Kentucky, Gen. Jackson is about
10 do for Won what Mr.. Clay could ever effect, We
are now 10 get our share Of the public money TO make
good roads Aud great was the joy of the whole
party III tat State, at the glorious prospect before
them
The bill passed and was submitted 10 the Presiden,
for his approval. Having public business with him q
few days after, we called al his rom. After despatch
ing our business, he said 10 us, s.Well, Mr.. Kendall, !
hay made mp my mind 10 veto the Maysyille and Lex
ing,on I'D Bill: what do you think of it?' 'You are
right" we replied, "bu, II is political death 10 us in
Kentucky" He promptly rcjoined, at is my bust
ness here to defend The Constitution, and not 10 caicu'
late political consequences"
Does sir. Brownson see any thing in that like plac.
ing The people above the Constitution in the ordinary
administration of The Government?
The truth Is, no man ever regarded popularity iOr. lis
own sake, less than General Jackson. With the path
OF !u'y before him, he ieailessly ,rod it, regardless OF
popular opinion, or rather, taking It for granted, that in
DONG riaht, the people would sustain him. He dad no,
run after popularity, but popularity followed him.
That he did not seek IL, was one reason why IT followed
him. The people knew that he intended To do right,
and with them, honesty OF purpose was prinaa jdeie evi
dence that he was right. But in none OF his great mea-
sures would he have done otherwise, had he expected
political perd,tion 10 be the consequence. He stopped
not to set a value upon his life when his country called
him to the field Of battle, nor 10 fix a price on his po-
pulority when his duty required him TO assail corrupt
systems of legislation.
All this has been demonstrated, beyond rational
doubt, TO the whole civilized world YET Mr.. Brownson
wall have il, that popularity was General Jackson
IDOL. We can attribute this strange conclusion only
TO the disposition some men have to differ with others,
by n seeming Exemption from common p%rejudices and
common errors. But in this, he is Too independent TO b,
Just. lhtndats E1posttor.
From the Lynohbure Republican,
In Mr.. Toler's description Of the only flag exhibited
at the gateway or entrance to the place of meeting, he
,,c-n,. ~, tr,ly that n invpriis nrtts. with , pisc, al