Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1843-02-04
THE ASSUMPTION.


Tic .yational Mtsuigenccr s completely out of its
latitude, far advised the subject of The
Assumption. We will not undertake to sry, that some
few of the Democrats of Pennsylvania will not bite at
the bubble. We will not say, that Gen Keim has not
sspresented in the House OF Representatives. memorial
signed by many hundreds of his most respectable
susn.s, strongly urging upon Congress the proposed
measure though the ln,ei,gencer does not seem 10
know, whether most uf these decided Wings or
ambiguous Democrais-but it is certainly not true,
that 'the Wings have made no demonstration in liz
favor" Witness the demonstration Of the Wings in
Wheeling and the resolutions Of The Wings at West
Liberty in the county Of Ohio The fact Isl the mea-
is besotten by Wing, il conceived in the
latiiudnous womb of Federalism IL is Of the
brood National Bank and high protective Tariff,
and all of that family brought forth by Sin; like the
brood, which Milton describes posted ct the
gates of He'll II is destined 10 find its principal sup
portes among the Whgs-and the very fact, TO which
the lntegencer refers, shows how much more readily
the Wings are disposed 10 receive ill., than the Demo
Gratis. 1t is true, the Committee of Ways and Means
have reported against it-but mark the difference be.
tween the Wings aud The Democrats on that committee
The majority went agnst The ground Of expectancy
nlone-whereus the three Democrats (sess,s Pckens,
Jones and Atherton) attack it at the ground OF
constitutionality, as well cxpediency. (See their
excellent protest in the columns Of this days paper
That protest from the pen Of Mr.. Pickens ortes tie
''objecton which the Enquirer takes TO the propo-
ston Of MIR. Johnson, its alleged unconsti,atinn.
ally,)" and which the National Intelligencer pro.
nounces in its 'opnion destitute even of plausbili.y
The Inelligencer says that the Enquirer might as
well undertake 10 deny the cons.iiuiionsiy of the
Land Distribution Act passed by this Congress And
we nnqnestonab'y do deny The power 10 Congress 10
tax the People, for the purpose Of distributing money
among the States; and what else is the giving away of
The Land fund, when in these times Of exhausted
Treasury, with not dollar 10 spare, must raise by
taxes the very money which we give away.
Iii impossible not to see, the remarks OF the In
teliigencer lin its Thursdays paper) how eagerly il
takes to Assumption and how confidently it counts
upon making it the policy of the Government -"Onr
readers (ssys The ntelgence) must not be surprised
however, ii in the end the Richmond Enquirer itself is
driven 10 the support of the measure by the irresistible
force Of public opnion sne hoid docs 10 take 81
The minds Of men, without distinction Of party, in all
directions The gathering Rood Of opinion in ITS farOr
saems Ia Mrfnfea Geiugf winch will overflow and ob
itera'e quad hoe all the landmarks of party. From
what we observe however, the Wings undoubt-
edy more backward than their opponents in en!isnp
in It's favor:
Indeed such force it may have with the Wing
party-such flood, and such deluge, may sweep
them away-for they sickle not for the barrier
OF the Constitution They are willing TO raise money
expend money any way, without enquiring whence
It comes by what power, the want Of it, it is col
lected We have then, in tie declarations Of the N
lntellgencer sign, and OF the most decided signs
we have, of The truth of what have charged This
assumption does "threalen TO become Wing mea
sure and here is their organ, giving them the cue
vindcating The measure, and encouraging them "a
adopt in their Federal escucheon by boldly declaring
that "the gathering food Of opinion IN its favor
threatens to sweep with the irresistible power Of
deIuge. |, may be SO with the Wing pary-but The
Democrats are sustained by some considerations O
principle, as we'll as policy; and we are yet TO nee
with The first Democrat, in the large circle Of &C