Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1845-04-15
Ecp Tup EsaulRER,

FcR THE EsauIRER.
The Virginia Elections. Principles, not uen!
The time is rapidly approaching, when every
cne who calls himself Democrat VIII nave 'he
high privilege OF recording his vote IN favor OF
those great Republican principles which tedera'-
ism has so long abored to annihilate snail lne
Glorious principles which The Republican parry,
amer conflict (which tried mems souls succeed
ed in establishing, now be hewn down, ana me
nrincioles which Jefferson, with the aid Oh inc ne
publican party, overthrow, again he es'apiis"eu.
Shall the blessings which our iorela'hers' oy
equal laws and equal rights procured LOT inc iiee
enjoyment Of posteriiy, be now given IN exchange
fnr thai system ufneasures which few pampereo
nabobs OF The North demand1 Shall the yeoman-
~ of The country be so blind 10 their true interests
and 10 their orn rights as 10 yield 10 system OF
frau I'D and oppression2 Shall that inherent prih'
ciple. implanted in The breast of man. become so
beclouded as moi 10 enable him 10 see The spirit OF
Federalism stalking abroad in The land, rvetling
its chaiss upon every one who can be induced
10 abandon his long cherished principles? Where
| is the genius OF liberty which once Tepudiated re-
deralism with its whole batch Of heresies2 Where
is that spirit which once lighted up our pubic
councils2 Is il now chained 10 the wheels Oh Inc
Federal car? Or, is il lowering over lhis ancient
and renowned Commonwealth, invoking her sur
uH EeOmdnTV 10 AWAKE W VIC tHhs - nv"
hrooding over their dearest rights Yes, melhinks
hear its kind admonitions whispering in The
ear of Democracy, saying, arise in the plenitude
of Your power, and put 10 flight yonr opponents,
whom The puissant arm of Federalism has array
ed against your principles. Then, how is this
glorious achievement 10 be accomplished! How
are the long cherished principles OF Virginia TO
be sustained Is il by discussions IN our own
campl Is it by an inordinate desire Tor OF.
flee. On the one hand, and enthusiastic devo-
lion for men, on the other ! II these are Inc ag-
nals oil success then, brilliant victory may De
anticipated: But ifthey are the precursors OF de-
feat, may we not apprehend that the great danger
lies. not in the strength OF our opponents arms,
hn, in the disancction OF those who love CO.
sar more than Rome. hope, without offending
any one, | may he permitted 10 appeal 10 The uis,
interested patriotism Of every Democrat 10 stand
BIZ his principles. though in doing he is forced
10 immediate his best friend upon The al,ar OF MS
counlrys good The sacrifice ol ms predictions
is nothing, compared 10 the higher Obligations ne
owes to himself and 10 his country; and yet, when
contrased with Roman virtue, tdwindles INTO m
significance Bring 10 your contemplation mat
bold and fearless Roman when he was told that
pulf which appeared before the forum OF the Ro-
man Senate, would never close till The most pre-
cious things in Rome were thrown into it, ex-
claimed nothing were more precious than valor
and virtue, and boldly leaped into the gulf, which,
historians say Immediately closed up Here was
an act Of patriotism worthy OF any age or any
nation, and shows how far We are behind the Ro-
mans in devotion to our country. Though We
are not called upon 10 make similar sacrifice,
vet our duly impeIatively demands that we should
make every reasonable sacrifice 10 carry the
Stale on The 4lh Thursday in this month. Let il
be remembered by every Democrat, that The Le-
gislaure was lost last year for The want OF union
and harmony. Let us in future profit by this in
slructive lesson. Let the important duty which
will devolve upon the next Legislature rise supe-
rior TO every lille pickering, that may now infamc
our passions ant prejudice our Judgments Let
The triumph of our cause override every other
consideration. Lei our motto be union harmo.
ny and acion-ail for our principles, nothing loI
men: and that fire of Democracy, which has 50
often led the Old Dominion 10 victory and honor,
will still be lamp 10 her ieet-a light 10 her
ralh, ANXIOUS.