Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1843-12-01

i, was in 1898, with Mr. Adams. Neither IFS leading
its leading men could receive Inc
of the democratic portion of the Wing paty in 1880,
or in 1870 Mr.. Clay, who had been beaten IN lc@i
and in 1892 was rot proposed IN $3.50, and lie was re.
iected III 1889 Gs the Wing Candidate. ne ciaih'i
for executive reform and Tor s'ritt constu tion o' ~
Cons tnoa as 10 the Executive powers was used 10
dpcoy tie old Republicans into the support OF Nat ona
Republican or Federal men and measures The Pc "ef
Of ass pciaon is gerry great, and we see now many u
the old Republicans have been brought hy degrees 10
acouiesce or to approve Federal principles. But lew,
ve1y few Of The Democratic Republican party, who op-
posed The removal Of the deposites, could have been
persuaded in 1884, that in lS43 they would have sas
timed The Wing of the 9th Congress- or any
"a ndidae for the Presidency on the issues now pre-
claimed BY the Wing party. 1,' many seem 10 nv s
made up their minds for such revolution Inc
Bank was the iavore measure OF the wing party al
ter the election of $780, though that party, up 10 that
time so s,udousIy evated 1t. II was calculated 10
hasten The action Of Congress on ms ana other SUI
ecs By means of The session. and with charter
far twenty wears, with the prejudices resulting from
the last Presidential the patronage OF the Go
yernment and other which accident might sup
ply 10 prepare the public mind Tor the metamophosis
of the Wing party into National republican party ny
1874.
What is the position Of parties now IL we test
them nv their personal preferences as TO the Presl.
dental candidates. they will present again. as they dd
in 1910 confused OF parei'tes ana PfeJudices,
resulting from former party conflicts; the spectacle Oh
men united and opposed promscuousiy, without refer
ence /, their convictions as the great prnc piles
which must give practical effect to Government; oil
prolonged and angry excitement, without any adequate
cause or distinct object of violent struggle which,
when it is over will have decided nolh'hg LOT the
country The experience OF the lasl three years ougn'
10 teach all men of oil opinions that this IS not desra-
ble The people have more interest IN the measures
Of Government than in the men who now as their
agents are - excite them. All wall agree 'nal some
thna shall he settled by the next election. mat Inc
pocy Of the Government should be liked IN some o.
rec,;op Confidence can never be permanently restor-
cd until the great issues avowcd before Tie coun-
trv are determined What they? NO one will
nre,end that the removal Of The depostes the protest
or the expunee now practical party issues lhey
never be again, unless another Na''ona' paA u
chartered | am aware of no permanent measure oil
Executive reform except the abolition oil the veto, no"
proposed by the Wing party Certainly none ctner
was proposed by that party IN Inc last eoneless'
unless the proposition TO divorce the ExecuuVe patron
age from the political press, while the ee.saNe pa
tronare under their own CONTROL was permitted 10 re-
main. can be considered such The political issues, as
every candid mind will perceive, are now distinctly
oined in reference 10 the revenue and Inc currency as
they will be affected by the legislation OF congress
There are other questions, some OF them important 100
connected with both the legislative and executive du-
ties of the Government but they cannot now be re-
garded practically party issues 1t is not my pur
pose at present. discuss any OF these questions OF is
sues My object is simply TO state positions OF parties
heretofore, and now in reference 10 what nave Deen
and practical issues. 1t would be as unleasonnDle
however for man, who is opposed to National Bank
or Protective Tariff to vote for candidate or party
ayowinq those measures leading objects, because he
dsauproved of the removal of the dePcsiies, the pre-
test expunge, &c. as it would be for Christian 10
turn Mahomedan, because he opposed the measures oil
ha Pone vi ich led TO the reformation.
The bank question arises under very different
circumstances from those which existed when 1t was
formerly before the country. Our experience has
taught us much which, if we are wise, WI! De remem
bered While no one advocates the policy oil Govern
ant issuing Prominently lis own paper, either 10 loan
10 individuals or to receive il back as revenue, II IS
commended that Government, ITSELF an agent mas the
power and is bound 10 Great. corporation, TO become
partner this corporation, to permit ndivouais u
issue their paper in The shape Of promises II pay mo-
ney, that Government shall receive this paper that
these favored individuals shall be permitted also to Keep
the revenue when collected, 10 lend 1t 10 the people
who paid it, and to lend the credit OF the Government
besides their own IL is conented, moreover, that
Government has authority, and ought to exercise III
to raise money by taxation for other PURPOSES Than to
pay lis debts and defay its expenses. Professions OF
economy public expenditure and OF relei u be al
forded individuals by law, have been too often made
to be longer needed. Parties will be judged, as they
should be- by the tendency OF the measures they advo-
cale and the people thus determine which will cost
them least The distribution Of the proceeds Of the
public lands, when there surplus in the Treasury,
is like the assumption Of the Stts debts policy which
can only be favored by those who regard t1saon and
public debt blessings and wall resort to these or s.
nlla measures merely pretexts for using The taxing
power for individual or local benefit The best guaran
y for economy and fidelity, is furnished by those who
maintain that the power of raising money IS limited
by the nature and objects of the Federal Government
and that when raised, it shall be applied as public
money, only for The purposes ap:cfed in the Conslu
lion. Taxation and appropriation are certainly the
most important powers employed By Government, and
they ought to be mos, narrowly watched by the people
The moneyed power, as ii may be termed) or the pow
er claimed for Government TO contfol, not only the
contributions from the citizen the Treasury, but also
the proportions and distribution OF wealth among IN
divduals and classes, is the mainsprng OF Govern
ment. II may give law TO the people and form to the
Government, TO suit the caprice of those who manage
it, 1t should be remembe red, to, that Executive en-
croachmens the rights of the people, can only re-
suit under system from legislative entertainments
and by regulating the Objects duties and powers, OF Go
vernment by the Constitution, adopt the plest
and surest method Of preventing Executive abuses.
Your friend, &c,
THOMAS w. GILMER.