Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1845-02-28
b the Editors Of Tic Enqu,rcr.

O"N'cbL SoAca - -
Gentlemen: The practice Of e~xpelling our
Stale officers from their places. on account Of
their political sentiments, is one that has never
met with my appreciation. II is one calculated
10 add yet more CALLING ingredients 10 the already
SPLITTER waters" OF political strife. When the in
cumbent OF an Office which has no connection
with mere political sentiments or duties, is capa-
bic Of properly performing the functions of that
office, he should not be ousted, merely because he
entertains opinions different from those OF the
persons who may hold the power to displacc him.
Still more improper is il, when those who hold
that power have acquired it by ehance or acct
dent, and contrary TO The wishes OF a large ma
Iority Of the people OF The Stale. Still stronger
does the case become, when some OF those who
occupy the position 10 which that power is Incl
dent, have been elevated 10 those positions, sim
ply in consequence of the discussions among their
opponents.
Holding these opinions, !, a few weeks since,
rebused a friend and brother Democrat, who de-
clared, that as soon as the Virginia Democrats
obtained the power, they ought TO make a clear
srcep Of The Capitol, and not leave a single UhS
in Office, who could be removed by the Legisla-
ture. Ibid not then think, thathis language would
50 soon receive justification.
Under these circumstances, you may be sure
that il was with a full portion OF the indignation
g~enerisly excited among The Democracy, that |
received The intelligence Of the shameful conduct
Of the Wings Of the Legislature, in relation to
the election OF a Councillor Of State. So strong
is that feeling, that | can scarcely control my
self in giving it expression. Yet, my sentiments
are milder than those of other Democrats with
whom | have conversed on The subject. But one
feeling, so far as | can discover, actuates The De-
mocracy in relation TO this outrage. That feel
ing is compounded Of Indignation and contempt:
Indignation al The treatment inflicted on Colonel
Rutherford; contempt for the miserable excuse
alleged in p~allialion of lha; eatmen ! say al
kecd-for | will not do such dishonor 10 the good
senS of the Wing members, Ct say nothing OF
their ioncsiu,) as to believe that they were really
ac,uated by The childish motive which they as
signed for their conduct. What, sirs! expel one
whom they acknowledge 10 be "a good and faith
full officer" because a single member OF The
House, acting on his own responsibility, without
concert or advice with his friends, ventuTed 10
say that his proposed competitor could not be
f. themselves? Do they expect us TO believe
that they are children, fools, silly school-boys
"plcased with a rattle, tickled with a straw"
and enraged BY equally worthy causes? Tell
it not in Gath" that the grave, ~disnifed leaders
of the Wing party OF Virginia-men "with boards
on their faces" arc moved 10 wrath by provoca-
tons which wonld moi excite the ire of a common
scoh, Are the important Offices of the Common
wealth TO be disposed Of BY the badiaagc OF MEM
beers Of the Lesislature7 No, Sirs, no! Such
was not the cause. Colonel Rutherford was a
Democrat L0co(co-and ",hou hast said it."
One would have thought that, under present
circumstances, the Whigsin the Legislature would
have been under some restraint. With 4 heavy
majority against them in the ~S,a,e-elecled, as
many Of them were, through the generous mag
nanimity, and BY The aid Of their Democratic fel-
low-ciiiZens IL home-some Of them thrust in be-
tween two or more rival Democrats, ard others
holding disputed seals, claimed by Democrats,
with the claims unsettled, who would have
thought them so mad as 10 have begun an excite
meni, and commenced a warfare, that must end in
their own discontinue and the injury Of their
friends !!
A word or two 10 all Democrats! Let us re-
member John Rutherford; let his name be our
battle.cry in The struggle of the Spring elections;
lei the outrage committed through him, upon The
Democratic party of Virginia, be ielt, as a warn
ing, a lesson, a stimulant 10 action. Let us vote
for no Wing. under any circumstances, at the
ensuing election. Let us remember what The
Bard OF Avon said concerning the fantastic
tricks" which men viii play when dressed in a
little briei authority" Let us take from the
Wings, who have mis-representcd Democratic
counties, the "hrict authority" which they have
SO shamefully abused. Let us not kiss the rod with
which we are smi,ien; but resist like Democrats
and Freemcn. Let us return 10 the next General
Assembly IN overwhelming majority, who can
and iciH protect our friends, punish our oppres-
sors, and right our wrongs.
The bitterness OF the late political struggle was
fast passing away; but this ~insolent outrage of
the Wings has revived much Of its Strength
This wrong, perpe;rated on Mr.. Rutherford, will
not soon be forgotten. The prosecuted are al
consequence Of their suiferings and although
Col. r. is an utter stranger 10 me. personally,
! yet hope, that The iil-treatment received from The
Wings will rebound 10 his advantage. Al any
ralc, | am certain, that j, will cause the Demo
cracy of Virginia 10 show the Gomineering
Wings that, though VIC can bear much, yet We
are, when once aroused, like
Jtrs ;o Jb- 1Iau1io:,e |