Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1843-06-13
FOR TIE ENQUIRER.
MARTIN VAN buren,.

FOR TIE ENQUIRER
MARTIN VAN buren,.
The nature of q Government may be plainly discern
ed through the measures which the people pursue
redress their grievances. The rulers OF an ain'iay
Government may practise abuses and harfass tue ha
ton ill desperation maddens the general discomfort,
and bloody revolution subverts the throne. Dur Inc
people of Republic masters OF the government,
and control its operations I'M peaceini way 'he',
right duty, and security, to examine 'he oesehs anu
proceedings of political parties; TO support them when
right 10 oppose them when wrong and to minister
reason argument, and conviction TO the pubic under
standing before The disorders Of the body polite be.
come general and ncurable Free and candid enquiry,
is the appropriate chimney OF the political fabric IL
carries off the noxious gases, and offensive smoke ;
and promotes temperate combustion and wholesome
warmth. In free, prosperous, and enlightened coun
try every appeal to the human understanding alter
nately weighed in the balances OF wisdom; and rulers
are estimated at their proper worth. hasty swell
and whrwind of the passions may precpitate 10 the
bottom The most solid and servceabe things, and raise
TO the surface the lightest stuff. But the hurricane
subsidies the frot settles, the bubbles burst and The
valuable pillars Of the Government will be duly re-
membered and replaced by the returning sense and
Justice of the nation.
The people of the Union have often illustrated this
mighty truth. And unless general indications deceive
u.s. they will presently present to the nation the benehs
Of another illustration.
i In 1870 selfish combinations, artfu misrepresena,
,ons and inh1mmatory clamors excited the people 10 a
hasty and mischevous revolution in political affairs =
In disastrous season, they yielded 10 the counsels oil
prejudice, the cravings of ambition, and the sordd
persevering animosities of envy and hate. They
wronged great public benefactor, stripped him oil an-
hority, and clouded his fair renown. But honest
and rerbutye fellow citizens have calmly reviewed
the designs exposed the fabrications, and rued the
principles of those crafty politicians who revilcd md
undermined the truly Republican Administration OF
President Van Buren,. They have noted aud deplored
reprehenslbe disregard OF every promise which The
FederalIsts made, and wanton aggravaton OF every
calamity which they promised to remove. Instead OF
remedies, the Federasts have produced disease; aud
by resorting empirical emetics, have forced sudden
disagreement Of the very medicines they minlsered
sovereign cure, but which The spasms Of the patient
! indicated TO be poison and DEATH This monsrous
quackery and deception have very naturally produced
Indignation and disgust and excited a magnanimou:
disposition to render alonement, TO reverse the dsc'-
sons of $780, and to repair the wrongs offered TO ia
injured and illuminated statesman whom a sweeping
tornado of disreputabe passions hurled from his mer
ed elevation.
By merit genius and abilities, Mr.. Van Buren, rose
| TO The summit of political distinction The changing
and contests Of the age always found him con
sistent and honest man The spirit Of deraction has
indeed assaulted him--and every ungenerous accuse
sation and Liberal disparagement which disappointed
rivalry could DEVISE have been wantonly accumulated
upon him. But throughout his stirring and eventlu
life, charge fastened on his character The
slightest stain. His enemies can never falsely TINS
assaed his ,mpregnabe reputation, with any missiles
but assertion without facts, inyecve without proof, and
mercenary prejudice without one particle of patriotism
to justify or excuse it, Towards his opponents, Mr.
Van Buren, mild and merciful, 10 truly
christian latitude yet surpassed by public ma
gistate who had reached the pinnacle Of distinction
and power. He removed no brother officer for party
ends But, with noble and forgiving grace fed and
clothed hs enemies, while black and noxious harvest
of ngratitude rpened around him. from the charitable
ha doiI dtyith hond
a consdernte mind, it ailcts the generous heart, 10
reflect on the arfces which cnvous politicians have
employed, for the wanton destruction of ths elevated
and benignant man.
The conduct and principles Of the Republican party,
have raised our model Republic above all ancient fame,
and fairly made her colossal wonder in the history Of
man. While young and feeble, poor and destitute,
resisted mighty King, and defed the mistress OF
the seas. Under gracious Providence, we have risen
from infant Colonies into strength union, and Indepen
dence; and reached the dignity of sovereign and lead
ing States. This rapid revolution in mighty CONT
nent Of States, mainly produced by the happy &C
ton of political system-a system which origna.
ted in The wisdom Of ancestors, is founded n.
lghened principles Of justice is defined by conspicuous
land marks and organic laws, and has been vgantly
guarded by Republican cennels who were truly anx-
ious and determined 10 preserve it. High among the
living centnels whose enlightened vigilance has been
tried by temptation, strengthened by difficulties, and
quickened by continual statagems TO surprise it Mar
tin Van Buren, stands proudly conspicuous. Educa.
ted in the strict and sacred commandments of the Re-
publican Church, this eminent statesman has wisely
devoted his useful life TO the of the people and
the liberties Of man, Aduation s the outward but az.
fected, homage which ambition pays TO merit. And,
for forty consecutive years or noe public character
has reached the Presidency who did not profess allie.
glance 10 the principles of Thomas Jefferson. Bot,
unlike the canting mpostors who extol the principles
they labor to undermine, MIR Van Bnren has praised
and practised those principles throughout his life.
AS President of the United States, he served the
Republic in her highest trust. Amidst the pefilons
troubles of the world, the violence of party strife the
gravity of the circumstances which gathered around
him, and the reckless articles employed 10 deiame
him. he never compromised the dignity of his country,
overstepped the sacred boundaries of his elevated
and arauous trust. But, with admirable wisdom and
nhesble Justice he maintained the blessings Of honor
able peace and the cardinal landmarks of Liberty and
the Constitution. Under his auspices the whole sys-
tenn of that fatal policy which originated in the Fede-
raj mandatory of consolidation, and which the Clay.
ties would revive aud invgorae in every part, tumbed
to the ground, and in its happy fall freed the nation
Of funded debt extra Protective Tariff laws, depend
on corporations Of every sort, and mschievous
delusion Of The States, by distribution among them
of the revenue from public lands.
These are The solid consultations which hallowe his
retirement, and surround his home. And he prefers
them to all that corrupt and corrupting popularity
which rises the national expense, and which, like
forced and exuberant weed upon q stimulating COM
post, suddenly whers at the rankest height.
10 the hope TO sustain and justify the conduct of the
FeoeralIsts and TO make their defeat of Mr. Van Bu-
permanent as it was disreputable, they have
manifested every disposition TO deprive the people of
their natural inclination and constitutional right TO sup
port his election. The steady opponents, and tickle
supporters of General Jackson equally invoke his
assistance and authority whenever they desire 10 con-
sumn,ate favorte scheme. Hence, they rely on the
General TO prove the justice and policy of limiting the
Presidential service to single term, and are anxious TO
create the IMPRESSION that he regards the limitation as
essential TO The preservation of public liberty.
The Federaliss nave obtained from the people
any renewal OF political power-iheiT reign was nj
ways limited 10 single term not because they pre-
iered The Limitation. On the contrary, they always la
bored TO renew the lease but able TO effect
It, even in single case After sad experience, and
summary notice, they always dismissed as de-
strucl,ve tenants Of the political fabric-and, no
possible extension Of the Presidential tenure be-
neht The leading Federasts, they boldly advocate a
single term and endeavor to subject not only their OPP
ponen,s hut The whole community, to common but
m'schlevous disability. The Democrats oppose this
limitation TO single term, because it the
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