Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1843-06-23
no 3uE EDITORS OF THE ENQUIRER


have been better.
TO TIE EDITORS OF TIE ENQUIRER
Gentlemen: While residing in your city, stranger
as were my attention has been attracted by the
character and position the two great political partes
that divide this country than al any former pe'"u
of my life. And it appears to me, that in this cl,y'
there is a more marked difference between hem-tne
lines are distinctly drawn, than in most places III
the Union
The first thought that strikes stranger, upon VISIT
ing the State Of Virginia, The high and ennooiihs
character Of her political history He feels that he Is
teadng upon the classic ground OF American freedom
And in her biography of heroes and patriots he reads
of The ever honored citizens that achieved her lnde-
pendence. The American acknowledges, with prioe,
the active and decided part she has taken IN the
Of those great Democratic principles that must
ever remain the pillars of this Repubic-It IS upon
the pages Of her history, that he finds those great ana
immortal minds whose fair fame his dearest brhrght;
and when viewing the record OF her past greatness turn-
ing page after page, gathering wisdom and virtue
he feels that 10 her decided bold and fearless s'and ne
owes much of the privileges he now enjoys And me
! New Highlander, how he loves To compare II with his
own wild and rugged land The one, the "Cradle OF
Liberty" the other its bold and fearless champion; and
how he loves 10 compare the patriots TO which both
have gwen birth, neither detacting from the olher-bui
both forming a halo of fame around his country that
time arnish.
With such thoughts of her past history, have been
led 10 compare it with the present, TO whether there
has been any falling off in her devotedness 10 Demo
cratic principles and 10 whether there is yet any
decay NANTES, in this great Temple of Freedom and
it is with pleasure that fad the State al large still
Republican Her country population are true to her.
self, and firm supporters OF those principles. But II
must be acknowledged, in the language of her own
honored Jefferson that her cities large upon
| the body politic-and Richmond is more especial
marked by that deep and dangerous principle, TO which
he alluded-not but that her Democratic sons have
dealt openly and earlessly with the enemy. Truly
/ have found them "a Spartan Band, who have thrown
themselves into this pass of Thermopy lac determined
i to resist and roll back the tide Of Federalism But the
foresight of the sage Monticello years ago, that
cities, governed by the seductive Influence of ind
vdua and corporate wealth, would always prove de-
s'ruc,ive of the principles of Democracy, and tina, the
Tree of Liberty needed the fostering Of agricu1
ture attain height and strength sufficient 10 .shie
the oppressed Of every nation" And it is this marked
difference in the two parties of this State, which has
attracted my attention, and which Justly character
lied the judgment Of the great Apostle Of Demo
cracy
The Whig party, find possess the majority in the
clties-aDd here in Richmond, so large and preponde-
rating one that it has caused their leaders TO cast
of much Of the restraint that has marked their
duct in other cities, aud to run into wild excuses,
Ear from credtable to themselves, 10 the State an,
aware that The leaders are very loath to have any
censnre cast upon Them and would appear as threat.
enng as llo,spur, against any one that would hold
them up before the public with all their sins upon
them. But let me add, that they much more like
Falsta; they often the groesque appearance of
that character and by adopting all the mad scenes Of
the last Presidential election, and openly persisiing in
all its Misrepresentation and folies have made them
selves notorious throughout the Union. And il would
seem, that they determined to CONTROL subyert
the influence Of the State, and oil their conduct jus,l.
fies the remark that citles upon The BODY
polite
We have seen them in former times thrusiinr them
selves into the kitchen and paror OF wise and yir,u
Gus President, it, The kettles Of the one or The
furniture damask curtains of the other, they could
not find something to array against him. But it was
left for the presses day for them enter his bedroom
and drag him from his pillow a sacrifice before their
"Grea, Idol-Henry Clay The bedroom scene, as
it may be called, violation Of oil forms Of friend
ship, gratitude and confidence.
| But, when compare these leaders OF the Wing
party with those great that formerly ayowed The
principles; when we compare these days Of "Lor
CABINS" and "hl Boys to the former ones have
mentioned, when both parties met upon the broad plat
form Of principles and measures, and when they were
willing 10 abide the issue; how is the scene changed
and what falling off is there in the politics of the
time. 1t would seem though there was some decay
manifest in this "great temple offreedom But if So
i, calls upon every lover Of his country to exert him
self to restore that great in its history nd more
especially does it address itself to every Yirpiniap
whose State has SO long taken the lead in all great
works of reform. Let the inhabitants of the country
hold it strong citadel, against the fatal influence Of
the cities The agrlcuursts have their great and ne.
cuar interests to project and, unless they arouse
the they will find them all swallowed up by the
Federal adopted, for the benefit of the cities
They will find that the great and unequal exaclons of
the Tariff laid Themselves like heavy burthens:
and that the new species of gambling in bank stocks,
with taxation in the form of distribution, is undermining
their dearest rights.
Before close, let me impress upon them the neces.
sity Of most perseverng watchfulness in the proec
ton of the great agricultural interests of the country
They have most sngacious and never-lrinp enemy to
contend with | have never seen his equal lie has
put forth exertions worthy Of better cause But,
Messrs Editors, expect that Virginia. in the coming
contest, will be true to herself and TO those great prn
ciples she has sustained. We would have her for
leader But she must not allow the enemy 10 kindle
The fame of dscord in her ranks. The people must be
aware that they have nothing to ask of men, and that
the great principle of Government is to set aside
all personal considerations in the bene, OF the whole
Never, before, have the Democratic party so openly
ayowed themselves. And never have they had rore
important measures to contend for-No Rank no Dis
tribution, Free Trade, and eternal hostility to all
attempts of assumption of the State debts is inscribed
upon our banner; and lett
.sfIang out the outer WALL
Our castle's strength will laugh siege 10 scorn,n
Yours, truly, S.
Richmond May 18th, 1913.
FOREIGN CORRESPONDENTS Will