Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1847-03-26
We commend the following sensible views 10
the voters in every Congressional District in the
c,o,, They sneaI, The voice OF truth and reason :

We commend the following sensible views 10
the voters in every Congressional District in The
Stale. They speak the voice OF truth and reason;
FOB THE ENQUIRER.
70 tie Republicans of The Fourth Congressional
Dislrlct.
Fellow citizens - A great struggle is now in
prosress between the principles OF Federalism
and Republicanism. They are anagonistic-
they can never be bound together in harmonious
union. The one lies at The basis OF The true lheo-
~ Of our government, and is Intimately associ-
a,od with the Pr-s1tya,ion Of our true INTERESTS
Tho other is IA oc III Itself and fatal IN all It's Ten
denotes. One is avowed by The disciples of The
old Virginia school, and the whole creed OF this
school is in perfect unison with il. The other IS
openly asserted by but few, bur is really the fun
damental principle on which The political faith Of
| the Wing party is founded. The distinctions be-
tween these parties are broad and well defned
| and these distinctions are all lraceaDIc more or
| less, directly 10 the principles have designated.
| The Wings are The advocates Of policy for
which there i, no warrant in the words of The
| Consliiution;-bu in order 10 cover that policy
| with the sanction oil the fundamental law, they
adopt loose and latitudinous construction of its
| language. The Republicans interpret the Con-
| slituon, as they would any other important COM
| position, by its plain intent and meaning The
| Wings advocate National Bank and a Tariff
| for protection The Republicans deny the Con.
sti,u!onality OF either. The Wings applaud The
poliey OF BanR;-the Republicans condemn any
union OF The Stale with such an institution, as they
do the union OF Church and State, believing the
union, in either case, injurious TO both parties. The
Wings approve the policy OF prolection--ihe Re-
publicans oppose the imposition OF taxes on the
mass of the people Tor The benefit Of few. The
Wings would make the General Government The
executor Of local Improvements, or lax the whole
country 10 improve favored section. The Re-
puhlicans condemn this policy AS unwise and op-
pressiye. The contrast might be carried through
all the distinctive lines OF party, and in all il
would manifest the workings OF the old princi.
pies OF Federalism and Repubicansm. The
one seeks The best and greatest good OF The great
est numher-thc other seeks the advancement OF
The few, al the expense Of The masses. The one
would restrain The General Government within
lis legitimate sphere; the other would extend its
action TO The proper province OF the State auIho-
rites, and even encroach on the rights The people
have reserved TO themselves. Following out
these suggestions, we cannot avoid The conclusion,
that il Federalism be permitted 10 gain The as
cendancy, evil must be The result, and that the
liberties, rights and interests OF our citizens will
be hes, preserved by the continuance OF power in
the hands OF the Republican Party.
But there is another question before the people,
which ought to be above all merely party dissen-
sions, and on which all patriots ough, TO unite
agains, the enemy OF their country. Yet such is
the maddcniDg power OF polica prejudice. and
such The controlling influence OF party associa-
ton that the Mexican War is now prominent
mater OF difference between Wings and Repub-
licans. If were addressing Wings, il might be
proper, though useless, 10 urge the necessity and
Justice Of the war. Butte you, ellow-cilizens, it's
enough TO say, that your country is al war and
that our Government should be sustained in lis
prosecution. Men, money and mora power are
essential 10 this end; the first two might bring
The war 10 a successful termination; but The las,
is necessary TO contamination al once speedy,
decisive and glorious 10 our arms. II, while The
war is made party issue-whie The opponents
Of the Administration are pouring upon il the
vials of their wrath, and invoking the vengeance
oil our people on acc0mnt Of the 1car-ii, IN ms
state OF things, The Government te iorsaken by
The people, and its war policy condemned, lis mo-
raj force will be weakened, its supplies o men
must be compulsory, The spirit and tone OF the
army will be lowered, and, though in any sup
posable event Mexico must yield 10 the superior
Renublc. her surrender and concessions will be
maid for with a higher price OF blood and treasure,
and the glory Of victory will be less brilliant on
our banners. The war is 4 just one, as il was
inevitable To avoid it without sacrifice OF all
thai is due TO our national character, or wilhou;
an impossible regeneration Of Mexican morals
and honor, was absolutely Out of the question:
DISGRACE or a war was The only alternative.
We may properly differ as 10 the conduct Of the
war in some Of its details. We may differ in
opinion as 10 The merit the Administration may
claim for its vigor and energy in prosecuting the
war: and for one shall not scrupe TO avow my
opinion tha, the war might have been terminated
al the present lime by a more comprehensive and
vigorous policy That this has not been done,
is The only ground OF just comPlaint-and
for This there are not wanting strong apologies,
in the general estimate of The Mexican character,
the wise policy Of our country in reference TO
standing armies, and the influences OF period OF
peace al least commensurate with the time OF a
generation. But the Wings are factious in their
opposirion 10 The war. It's spirit is the spirit OF
faction, Their whole conduct betrays the iact
that they are using The war as an engine OF par,
". The proofs are before The people. shall
here allude 10 but one. As soon Is il was ascer-
tanned that General Scott was mol 10 be put al the
head of active operations, the President was de-
nounced as meanly Withholding from Wing
General the opportunity OF winning military po-
pularily. That gun being spiked by the impru-
dence Of Scott, the Wings sought another charge
against MIR. Polk, land .oon found it in The disap-
probation The Government appeared 10 feel, Of