Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1848-09-26
ADDR ESS
Democratic state s0.issMs.o
.ro TuE PEOPLE or VIRGINIA.

Follow citizens: The Democratic s'a'e h'sn's
Repuhl;cans of Virginia asssmoiea III oo"' ,.e
ton. for the purpose oil co"'ui'i"s opo' ,,s.
best means Of promoting the 'ucccss - ,han
80, ,>,,ncio,es which have for more tha''
s.S' f..nInry formed the tie of our orsanlza
100 desire TO present to you calm exposition
If onr views upon the political contest nv"
ending and 10 invoke for them, on your part
= c,nd,d and deliberate consideration.
Our fr;eods have never had reason 10 trefhoie
e. ~. rasn,, =, an open and honorable contest.
onr n,;nc;nles have ever met the approval, anu
o,,r,r,cd The sympa,hes of the people. II IS
.,r ,,han our ,dyersaries, under The pretence
or having abandoned their haoitual opPosilioh,
clo,be themselves in our amor anu ihsl'iua'o
themselves into our ranks, that they can aim
blow that will cause either INJURY OF appfene.-
sion Such IS their present design; to lhwart IL
Il ;s only necessary that the intelligent vigilance
Of the people should be aroused. Annouhsins
in language which they have rendered. la'h ,ho;r
able that their principles have died upon WV"
hands. they 20 before the people WIN =" n
biguous request, that they shall DC petmh s,i,u,e
take charge of our measures, OF - J;g.rent
others which, as they intimate, sna'i - 4,os.I
from any which they have hereloio.o Prf~asd
proteslins that their own platform y eAP'oa ~
,bev ask to be put in possession VI "u.'' :
he allowed to construct IN It's sleau ne" -
mon PRINCIPLES which they WIZ ~. -
hui which they endeayor to lnuuce 10 " 49,
will be different from those w'iich 'ooe .
ouaintance mas rendered SO ooious " ~ 81"
the great body OF the American poop &c tho
!, i nerbans unnecessary to advise you OF inc
;ns;d;ons designs Of those who direct the course
Of This party. Their past history IS eioqueh. u
tho language of warning. They hold nothing 100
h;ob or 100 sacred TO be sacrificed ior parry
ends In proof of this, we need look no iartief
han to the occurrences of the few past moh'hs,
a vast majority OF the Wing party, II required
10 select a President, would name Henry Ciay
+;rst and would place their present candidate
last, upon a long list Of their tavorlte statesmen,
A large majority OF that party are also a''acneu
10 class of principles, which they conscieh
tiousy believe TO be essential to the prosperity
of This country. Yet for the purpose Of carry
inc their party into power, they have not heslta
ted 10 proscribe their old leaders, and to profess
an abandonment Of the principles OF their an
cieRt creed. In their calculations Tor avail
ability, they close their eyes upon qualihcatioh'
and while they call upon you to elect TO the RE
sidency one man, there is scarcely respec'aoie
number of them that do not oeileve tlat you'
true interests would be observed IN The eiefaHoh
Of others. They can address no appeal 10 Inc
patriotism of their supporters. They are am
mated in the struggle only oy oeSo.ioh 70
paytu interests and a hope of party triumph.
They sometimes attempt TO justify their course
by representing that there is necessity III .
change of the men in power. Except upon 'ne
Republican principle, which requires ~.
tation in office, we can see nv o.Sa'I I.
for change oi an admins ration which mas ~
,ecred our affairs both al nome anu abroad WIN
integrity and ability; which, undef Trying anu
diticult circumstances, has conducted Inc ha'iou
with glory through a distant war; anu uhoef
whose auspices the limits OF The Republic nave
been extended, through fertile region, iiotn 'ne
banks OF the Sabine 10 the shores ol the tdti
But if only change OF men IS desired, VIII ho'
their wishes be accomplished IN the success o tue
Democratic pafy2 Is this mol 100 OBVIOUS ~
permi, US 10 believe Tor one moment that TINS
par,y gil be content with mere change OF mems
Tnev aim, then, ieo G-citiZsns, al some III
,erior and concealed purpose. Are you MOI en-
.illed To know what il isl A change OF men, OF
20 translate into somewhat palmer language TINS
significant phrase, The placing The pubic oinceS a'
the disposal OF The Wing party, is probably
controlling motive with many OF those VINO RUE
that party But others have deeper views. Iney
will enieavor 10 Introduce system oil measures
bv which they will establish themselves pelma-
nenty in power. Gen. Taylor, speaking through
the delegation tom his own State 10 me Whis
National Convention, pledges himseli 70 do ~
bringing about a Change Of men and oil measures
Y-, ne ana MS advocates >utousiy concsa! iruh
YOU what measures they propose 10 substitute lof
Ibose which are now in banetcent o?cfaiian.-
Those measures which they desire TO change heea
no long defence al ouf hands, because t:cY
are far more e'oquently defended by HE voice 81
experience The general and remarkable pros
perily that pervadss every Ass Of he commun'-
" could be enjoyed uhter no system Of measures
that was injurious 10 Your interests your own
account books, fellow citizens ana Inc treasury
records, present a far stronger defence OF Demo
cratic measures Than any iRat We could maze
WHY. then. is a change dcsired2 Is Il lor Int
interes, OF the country or ior the interest o!
party2 And why are you not told what you are
10 expect when this new order oil things IS lu'hii-
ed2 We look in vain TO all the usual sources VI
information Tor any precise declaration oi Inc ~
tentio Of ms narv Daniel Webster, the grea
leader oi he New England Wings, has, IN re-
cent spssch ventured nearer disclosure man
any Que else. tle announces one OIL tne Sfed
objects OF his parry 10 this contest 10 be IAN es-
sen,Ia reform ot The system Of revenue ana n
nauce" THIS embraces vast field OF operation.
II was Nv a scheme OF finance, National Bank
as a ch,et instrument, thatfin the view OF your
own Jefferson, lhc Fcderaists under Hamilton
endeavored 10 warp our Government 10 the form
and principles Of z m ,narchy. While measures
that affect lhe revenue, affect every class oil lhr
business community; and, as Edmund Burke has
said "he revenue is The State in modern times
are you willing 10 pass The control oil theSe vast
ineresls from Your own into the hands Of any
man o, class Of neni This party does not re-
gard yoar viii or Geisn 10 consult your Judgment
You are Simply told that your system OF mea-
,at.,- mod and Leaf
The Wing paw are ready TO undertake. The reform;
whether the ncw measures which they propose are
such as YOU will sanction, seems 10 be regarded
as OF bur liule moment. Their candidate &c
clares his sense OF the necessity OF change OF
measures, and al the same time announces, as
ne does repeatedly in his published letters, ,ha!
il is incunssleni win his view OF propreiy, 10
say what he vii o viii no, do il elected. Ane
il is we'll known tha; this was The leading con-
sideraion ,ha, effected hi, nomination; Tor his
party did not dare 10 commit themselves 10 any
defined system OF pnlicy. Ignorant OF their de-
signs, YOU are called on 10 elevate class oil
men into power Their judgment and not yours,
is to deermiCe The policy OF your government
;heir viii aud uoi yours, is 10 become law. Is
shis position, assumed by the Wing party, con-
sonant with any sound view of a popular 90
vernmen2 Here is striking example Of that
dislrust OF tn capacity Of the people for self
government. which craraclerized the Fe!eral
patty a. is origin, and has been so often maui.
Tested since. This, We may add, is again dis
played in Inc principles upon which they caIcu
late the availability OF their candidate in This
effort sez, mon your Offices Talent -inor
malon political experimentation Of These
things 10 they seem To regard you as capable
81 es,i osng. But, If they can present man,
over whose military reputation shon, can be
excited they seem 10 believe that thew have pre-
seated man into whose hands you will blindly
commit every thing-your fortunes, your rights
and your liberties.
Here men is The proud contrast which we
present. Oar parry PLANS itself upon lis mea-
sures apeady in successful opera'ion-by these
they arr wiling 10 slant o, fall. Our opronents
ask you 10 place them in power, 10 enable them
10 bring in a system OF measures which the
dare not disclose 10 you. Are you willing