Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1844-02-27
POLITICAL.


Messrs. Editors--Mr. Rves says, "try MIR. Van Blu
rem and Mr. Clay by any test derived from the authen
tic history Of political parties in this country or by th
standard of those great principles which e1s, 10 th
essential elements of our political institutions, and MIR
CLAW stands before the world the far better Republican
of the two" Now this is certainly discovery, that de
serves to be patented fsome'hng new under the SUM-
remember that when Mr.. Webster delivered his cele
brated Harrison speech, in "ihe hne October sun o.
Richmond he declared himself to be "a Jeifersonlan
Republican and, as if this were not bad enough Mr.
r. now vouches for the Republicanism OF Henry Clay
Does Mr.. H. really presume so Tar upon the ignorance
of the people suppose that such an attempt 10 I'm
pose on their credulty produce any other feeling
than that Of contempt Does he suppose that the eo-
pie are so utterly unearned in the history of parties,
and go profoundly ignorant of the principles OF our Po
ltical institutions, not TO know what constitutes re-
pubcansm, what the essential elements OF civil
and political liberty? Does he think that the people
will credit any assertion, however rash and unbound.
ed merely because il is sanctioned by his authority,
or that they will enlist under any standard, how
ever hostile to their rights, merely because it is re-
commended BY one who has left the popular for The
aristocratc side. Mr.. Clay far better Republican
than Mr. Van Buren, Let ns try them, by the records
Of history and by the test of the essential principles OF
our political institutions. 1t is true that MI. Clay was
Republican during Mr. Madison is administration, and
that he supported the last war against Great Britain
But this is the oasis in the desert-the only bright
period of his long political In an evil hour,
he abandoned the Republican party, and became q
jealous supporter of John Quincy Adams, for the
Presidency in opposition to Gen. Jackson; and when
the election Of President devolved upon the House Of
personalities from failure by the people to elect
il is we'll known, and indeed never be forgotten
that though Gen. Jackson the candidate Of the
Republican party, and went before the House with a
plurality of the popular votes, Mr. Clay go managed
matters to cause the election TO be given 10 Mr.. Adj
ans under whom he took Office Secretary of the
State Department. Having thus regularly gone
to the Federal party, and become the prime minister of
the most ultra Federal President that elected
MIR. Clay has since continued uniformly attached TO
that party, Of which he is the cknowledged leader,
and by which he has been repeatedly supported as u
candidate for President Mr.. Van Buren,, on the n.
trary, has always been Republican He has always
belonged TO the Democratic party, and to no other
He has deserted his party, changed his prin-
cples He began his political life as disciple of the
Jefarsonan school, to the doctrines of which he has
grown and more devoted as he advanced in years,
and of which he is now one of the frmest and most
Jealous supporters in our country. 1t is true indeed,
that he voted for the Tariff of S2Stha bill of abom-
inatons, which excited the resistance of South Caro-.
lna and that long contest with the Federal Govern
ment, which happily terminated at last by the pas
sage of the compromise act of 1898 But, let be
membered that, in voting for that bill, Mr.. Van Blu
rem acted against his principles and opinions, and
only gave that vote in obedience to the positive in
structions of the Legislature of New York He spoke
against the Tarh-he exerted all his influence against
it-he condemned it in its principles and details-and
announced publicly that he voted for it only in COM
pliance with the positive order of his State. How
could he have done otherwise, He recognized the
right Of instruction, by the State he represented, and
the obligation of obedience it imposed upon him. Ht
had alternative, except to obey, to his seat
He knew, that if he resigned, full-blooded Federas
would have been elected in his place, and he though
il better that should obey the Legislature in that
ticuar and retain his seat and continue TO act for thu
promotion of Democracy, than 10 resign and allow
Federalist succeed him. Such is the true history
that memorable vote, which MIR. Rives d@elis witt
SO much malicious emphasis. But, whatever may b.
urged against vote, let it be remembered again
that it is the only anRepublican vote that can be oil
legged against him. And can be said OF Mr. Clay, o.
any other statesman in America, that in the course
along political life, he never gave but one ant-Repub
lican vote | apprehend not But make the asser
ton boldly, and challenge contradiction, that that
the only instance in which he has ever voted CONTRARY
to principles of the Republican Party, his vote, OIL
that occasion, being known TO have been at variance
with his opinions, and only to have been governed
by the instructions of his State. Mr. Rves assail
him as "a Missouri Restrctionst." Mr.. r. know
that this usation is unjust Mr.. Van Buren, OF al
Northern men, the least liable to such an imputaiion
He not only did not take part against the South, upo
the question Of the admission of Missouri, but IN
noted with the Republican Party, who in favor o
it. The proposed restrictions the subject of slavery
was Federal measure. 1t was brought forward b,
the Federalists, and opposed by the Republicans, an
Missouri was admitted without any restriction, by thu
with his party, as he always has done. Mr.. r. say
again. that "Mr Van Buren, supported the Proclamation
and The Force Bill" Now, the contrary, Mr.. K
knows perfectly we'll that Mr. Van Buren, did not vote
on the subject Of the Force Bill (Which was Fedora
measure, introduced by Mr.. Webster) and that so ia
from concidng in the principles of the Proclamation
il was at his suggestion and under his advice, that ht
supplementary paper was published by General Jack
son, in which many Of the most obnoxious principles
originally asserted in the Proclamation, SO mod
fed and explained, entirely TO destroy their previous
character and even to give the whole instrument tsel
a different and Republican complexion. But why
talk ofthese old exploded matters now Has not Mr.
Van Buren, far proved HIMSELF at all events, 10 hav.
been sincere and genuine Republican, as to have re
ceived the cordial support of Mr. Calhoun during the
whole of his administration as President Has he
not 30 far proved himself to be true friend 10 South
ern institutions as to have received the vote OF South
Carolna for reelection to that office But "try them,
saws Mr. Rves, "by the record Of history Well
then let us try them by that standard Which Of the
two is Republican now, as he was at the beginning