Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1843-08-04
FOR TIE E.NOYJRER.


lol' ana 10 deduce, from The facl of his defea under
'uch circumsances-h having rename firm to his prin
see u ihe ~ The interests and honor of his country
the o"y OF ms old friends especially, and indeed OF
nsi men throughout The country who do not differ
with n essentially and fundamentally upon the frs,
principles Of Government 10 arouse their sl,mhe-;ng
sntf9es ana rally IN united and resistless ,ohoie
10 nus support Tor perfection in 1874 II is by these
me ans tut the wounded honor Of the country can be
completely healed and her fair fan stored to it's former
purify ana glory He has suffered political may tyrdom
for ,he sake OF the Constitution, and while nobly up
holding and supporting the Democratic principles of
The Government
Feei'ngs OF sympathy, and of firm resolution to
elevate MN from his fallen condition, while We may,
are no less natural than sacrcd-l is the sentiment of
b;gh-loned humanity, gazing upon the noble victim o!
reehtiess persecution, and reckoning the tuelary /
SpNit oi patriotism to assist in his political re.anna-
ton and restoration. 1t is feeling of doatry or Of
but devotion 10 the cause in which he
tell, ana holy Indignation of the by which the
deed was done. II the kindred spirit of that sentl.
msnt OF unmlxed condemnation which in potent,
but peaceui judgment, against the Emperor Severus
Tor the unproyoked and barbarous deaths of Perpeua
no feicas, for opinions sake. II spirit like that
which carried portion Of the primitive christians daily
TO the grave Of Poycarp TO mourn, not for the man,
Dor that could do good but Tor the loss so pow.
eriu an advocate of the Christian cause and woke
the blessings of Heaven even upon The heads Of his
cruel mordeers and deumers. II is spirit identified
when commanded by the tyrant judge Of Span, to wor
ship The mtrtyred Fructuosus, replied promptly and
firmly: ~ do not worship Fructuosus bat him whom
Fruclnosus worships. So with the Democracy we
do not seek the elevation OF Mr. Van Buren, for his own
sake but Tor the sake of those great principles of Con-
stItutionai Freedom defence of which he FELL and for
signal rrbuke upon the Federal Wings for the unwor
thy neans,by which, in accomplishing his defeat they
shrouded The fair fame and tile bright Of their
country in igromny and disgrace.
The first question that every Democrat should pro-
pound to himself is, did Mr.. Van Buren, deserve this
fate: 1t he did not, then it seems 10 follow clearly
as mathematical corollary, that he deserves to be
rescued from the odIum of his wrongful defeat. Du.
ring his administration was he not open and bold and
frank, III The recommendation OF his measures, and the
promu CATION of his principles and opinions? Did lie
not faithfully and punctious!y redeem all his pledges
made in advance of his election: Was he guilty Of
having made any suggestions to mslead, or OF any sup
pressons 10 deceive, The people, Dad he violate the
Constitution in any OF his policy measures, In
word he no: in all things, "honesl, capable and
faithful TO the Constitution - All who voted for him
IN November, $780, though; So, and nothing occurred
between that lime and the 4th of March following, to
produce any change or modification OF opinion what
ever
Again: all the Republican Presidents have served
tpo Terms except Mr. Van Buren, and all the Federal
Presidents have served but term of four years
Now, can il be agreeabte-ay, il be otherwise than
notifying, to u genuiue Democratic Republican, TO
poIWl Nh van Duren, whose administration has ap-
preached more nearly the Jefietsoncn standard Of De-
mocracy than any other President ostrac,ed
with this Federal badge affixed to him' badge not
marked upon INN by the solemn impress of q nation
judgment, but by the Vaccinations and frauds OF the
Federal Wings themselves Will the Republicans oi
this country ever consent, that the name of Mr. Van
Buren, shall be associated in history, with The two
Adamss by The circumstance of identity in the duration
of his Presidential term, when they have it IN their
power to wipe away the blot from his memory, and to
place him before posterity along side of Washington,
Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, and Jackson Justice
revolts ct the dea Patriotism snemny forbids IL
VIII the magnanimity Of MIR. Calhoun, MIR. Bnchan.
an, General Cass, or Colonel johnson, allow them to
become instrumental in pcrpetua!ng this Federal stls-
upon MIR. Van Buren,? Could the voice OF SIN
cere Democrat from the Old Dominion be heard by
them-one who has personal attachments or preju-
dcss to gra,ify-one who is wholly unmoved by the
temptation OF official emoumens the allursments OF
public honors would whisper IN their ears the moral
precept, "D0 unto Others as you acoafd they should 40
unto you would appeal 10 them, 10 rise above the
reach or temptation of ambition, and TO make this the
OCCASION which to set ever glorious example OF
forbearancc, dsnteresedness, and magnanimy for ID
ture historians extoi, and for future statesmen TO
initiate. would say to them, that such an act OF pa
trolc devotion and Of moral courage would secure tor
them more public confidence and specl higher hnnors
better name, and brighter fame, than struggle Tor
The Presidency whether successful unsuccessful
could bes.ow upon them The reader OF ancient
history as he passes along the pathway Of lime may stop
for nome mt to admire the military skill of Cyrus, the
daring courage of Hannibal or The bold sagacity OF
Casar-b1. il is the free will Offering of their own lives
for their countys good that causes the heart to throo
and the tears TO low the dsnerested self destruc
ton Of The Roman Curtius and the Carlhagenian Fir
lrn would not only appeal TO them IN this spirit
and urge upon them Tie propriety Of acting upon the
nobest OF all human motives, that of promoting
the public good, even at the expense OF inuiVi-
dual sacrifice but / would address them in the
language of candour and of sImgte truth, and tell
them "Your aspirations for the Presidency will, IN
All brm,n probability, never be grstfed, e you at
temp. to reach it by means of stubborn contest win
our own trends and division Of your own party -
There is period in the lie public men, which servea
to ties, their wisdom and TO determine ther po'ichi ior
tunes Aaron Burr sealed his political rate, when ne
undertook to dispute the Presidency with MI Jefferson
through mere constitutional defects, when he had IN
fact been voted for Wee President only. MI Gay
seuIed his political fate when ho accepted ONCE
under John q Adams, and turned Feds'aiist 10 sue
coed bin, in The Presidency Judge Nhitc sealed ms,
when he consented 10 become candidate al the IN
stance of Me Hhigs, to divide the Democratic party
Inch he we'll knew preferred blr Van Buren, tor the
Presidency. Mr. Rives, by false move in 1897, and
81 Unborn contest WITH and final separation from MS
poitcal friends in 1910, blasted the Unrest and Inc
BRIGHTEST Presidential prospects than any man in tins
coun,ry since the days of General Washington, ever
pazed upon Let all other aspnnls for that high ana
honorable station take warning, and learn WISDOM
from these memorable examples. Let them remem
her that by long custom, sanctioned by pubic oPnioh
National Conve nton has become the fixed arblra'
men for determining the relative claims and pre'en.
sions of different candidates, and that, composed as u
sboud be of the choicest wisdom OF Tho and VIII oe
likely 10 prefer modest merit to bold pretens'ons ana
feroiM aspirations. make these remarks IN no spi-
ri of disaection menace towards any OF the cana
dates spoken of for really mean to support the no.
m;nse of the National Convention, although that he
nor may perchance fall on some other person .han my
choice Yet do fear that the contest for nomination
nav from the indscreton of the candidates. or the
hot zeal ofther friends produce, the country, ieeI-
inc Of fixed personal preference which may be dsas
irons 10 the temperate elaboration and wise deerm'-
nation of the Convention; and if thought, nol~'lh
standing my preference for Mr. Van Buren, as nave
frankly avowed, that he was not The very strongest
man in The whole Democratic party for the next RE-
oden,ial election, would at once yield his prelen'
sons and press the claims of that other more available
candidate. e,.h,, :,
neal and SO will return TO the reasons why f. van
Karen should be supported by the Democratic party
In n