Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1843-08-29
POLITICAL.
From the Charleston Mercury.l


To he Editor of tie Richmond Enquirer
SIR 10 your paper OF the 2oih nlumo, you have made
a very special call upon me- You say, "For the sake
of the harmony Of the partly however, all doubt of the
acquescence Of all the States in the decision of the
National Convention, upon the principle, should be
avowed and respectfully call upon South Caro-
lina who is supposed speak by authority to explain
clearly the and ultimate intentions OF HIS gallant
State Are We then TO understand South Caro-
lima speaking auhoritairey for the members of the
State Convention? Are we to understand Ike friends
of Mr.. Calhoun, as claiming to judge not only for him
self but for all the Others how each sha be represented
and each shall vote; and that unless Uniform rule is
adopted before the Convention meets, South Carolina
and his friends, will not 90 into the Convention, or
will not abide by its decision Do they uncompro
msingly insist upon particular rule OF action, as
sine qua non9" Thass y".- --,-s~s" "a oao''a0s,
the same previously propounded 10 the Mercury and
Carolinan.
Now, if instead oil publishing and relying on the
meagre extracts, and unwarran,abe differences OF the
NJ Y Pebelan, you had read over and published my
communication canno, suppose that either you would
have put those questions your readers would have
seen the propriety Of my answering them Inc follow
ing is q portion Of its language
zone word more before draw this article to
close. The Richmond Enquirer, which affects always
to speak having authority, and not as the
scribes-has thought proper lately TO put the Charles
ton Mercury and The Columbia Carolini0n, upon the
confessional, as 10 what this State means to do
her rvs how the National Con venton should be
the party. The putting such question at once
improper and nugatory-improper because II implied
the threat OF alternative nugatory, because the
Enquirer itself we'll knows, that any other two persons
were able and authorized expound the language
of the people of Carona for them, the editors of
these highly respectable journals We do not mean to
express word of dissent the returned; the
views Of the Mercury and Caronian strike the
main sound-bui we wish only to remind our friends in
Virginia respectfully, tina! The 5. Carolina Address
speaks for itself
Having thus expressed the opinions, that your cues
tons to the Mercury and Caronian in relation to the
Stale, improper and nugatoTy, Of course there
be proptety IN my answering questions oil 81
mar purport, unless indeed, there something in my
position more authoritative than thers-whch might
give more weigh, to my opinions. This, both you and
the Pebeian seem 10 take for granted, with what pro
priety, you will Judge, hen inform you, that was
neither member o.! The State Convention, nor have
conversed with single member concerning their ul
terror designs, IT they had any beyond their written
exposition. The supposition, therefore, that spoke
"by authority either 'for the members OF The Conven-
ton "for Mr.. Calhoun's fends-or that the State
or the People OF the State, any way committed
by any opinions have Expressed entirely errone-
Gus. 1t is true, | friend OF Mr. Canoun and so
am also of MIR. Van Buren,; believing the one IN the
South and the other in the North, beyond all COMPARE
son, the safest and ablest statesmen the Union 1t
seems, Sir, very difficult for you, and other friends
further North understand, that there is such PEG
pie in existence, the people of South Carolina
writers to for the State, as II they were the
State. Probably this very natural 10 those, who
accustomed TO rule their States, by the sklin ap-
planes of party machinery which places the politics
of State in the hands of very few, or of one man
who is sort Of Mentor-the sense keeper Of the
whole The people who are at the bottom Of
the machinery, may work II, aud work in it. but the
direction from the top, where sits the engineer, who,
of course, can tell exactly, what II shall turn out
But Unfortunately suppose your motion,) we,
in South Carolina, are still lingering in the slough of
an old fashioned Democracy The people either vo-
UNFAIRLY at The polls gather together and send forth
directly their will; and their pabc obey or
take the consequences OF pree nd to speak
for them, dictate in their future course would in
any man, be the sbeerest assumption aud folly. Par
don me, therefore, in declining To any questions
for the State although doubt not your good
and patriotism 10 putting them. | can for my
self; and yon have honored communication with
your special attention, may crave your indulgence
whilst answering your questions, to some additional
observations TO the subject on which it ,reals'
In the first place, permit 10 remark that there
pears to TO have been siudons effort off
the presses supporting Mr.. Van Burens election to
the Presidency 10 throw suspicion and doubt and odum
upon all who have advocated representation directly
from the people TO The National Convention by Con
gressonal Districts They 10 have considered the
proposition as bearing especially against Mr. " Buren,
and IN favor OF Mr. Calhoun thus leaving it clearly 10
be inferred that in their opinion Mr. Van Buren, cannot,
and Mr.. Calhoun can, be supported by direct appeal
70 the people "Cal' you this backing your friends!
Fearing this policy by way of breaking it down, they
throw out threats and nuendos-mschief and ruin 10
the Democratic party is designed and all the woes of
the Apocalypse are hunderedln anticipation 1t pro-
posed, presume, By practising thus on the simplicity
OF the people, and their party pride and party fears to
prejudice them against both the Of District re-
and the man 1t represents and decoy
them away into the embraces of their own favori,e
candidate, who is all complasancc, acQuescence and
peace. We all this, and we see 1t with regret
You ought TO know-you do know-enough of human
nature be aware of the effects of this unwise and
ungenerous policy. 1, may alarm the fears of some,
but it will also add irritation to Others 1t may prac