Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1851-04-18


TIC people tmay defy all assaults from within or without
AL tH frses"ilisns OF the aboonsts and oil The camorS
81 ssnnlonlsts The winds may assal II; the rams may
oeat upon III but THAT .ousc is built upon rock
J! 'sc rnrples were correct when peineo tnc fros-
pcrs in S4a they are still more strongly confirmed BY SUBJ
sequent events. The administration of Nr. Polk pro-
oaoy te most brilliant which this country has ever
seem II ecnled with important events, both home and
aDroae adjusted several questions in our foreign relations
WHICH d oaficd The previous administrations some oil
hG most nolenous measures in domestic affairs were
IN IKE manner most happily adjusted Oar country adyanc
WIN ii more gigantic strides 10 prosperity and ianle-
OuF population has advanced To than twenty three mil
ons the number OF States has ncrea TO and
nrge extent OF territory has been added empire,
WHICH now extends from the Atlantic tlIe Pacific. New
lo"ns nc springins in the wilderness New have
arisen 10 aslonish the world The extent of our railroads
has been doubled years. and the wonders of electricity
nave been added 10 thuse of steam communicate intel
sence from one part Of The republic another with the ra
pdlty OF lightning. Should our Union continue destiny
awaits MS which far surpasses that OF any other nation that
ever existed The success of our republic does term
nate here The spectacle of prosperity is destined to
arouse Tie snmbering nations of the ancient world
blessings of liberty.
But this Union be preserved realize all these ben.
elts Ills now passing through the struggle il has
ever experienced The new territory which we had recent
y acquired gave n first new impulse to the nboioniss
Noihng could abate this spirit but the principles we have
specified. How could this tremendous controversy have
been abated but in administering The government the
srt OF Cancellation and compromise in which i, form
cd? How preserve tho system OF compromise which has
been bee ad"Ied except By carving out the compromises Of
Nlm0 provlsoists the free soers except By adopting the
principle Of strict construction in the form of non-ntcrven
on in the Territories rs well as States as to the slavery
question?
This compromise system has hccn adopted and earnest
" conurc my c0untrynen 10 adhere to il. Its preservation
viii save this glorious Union-its violation will destroy the
nobesl form Of government that ever existed. am now
speaking, as were from my political deahbed with all the
soeny and responsibility which surround the confessions
OF dying man. The country knows attachment 10 the
Union During the late arduous struggle might have with
drawn tU my tent and avoided the dangers The field But
boldly say did not hesitate one moment 10 meet the crisis
am n Wueh Hmm
some little influence in the South In attempting save
the Union have been shorn OF of that moral force
which had gained on another theatre As had lost posi-
tlon In section so ganed another; and have
not hesltaed s employ in calling upon northern breth
to stand 10 this Compromise carry faithfully
and avoid forever the reagitaon OF this dangerous sub
iec have therefore, right speak upon this if
any American has; and my counrymen in the North
moi to deceive themselves tell them that the South is in
earnestthat she will insist upon the faithful execution of
the ugitvcsavc law for otherwise this Union will toppe 10
the ground 1t is idle talk about the Union alone We
The Liberty Of the People, The Rights Of the States and The
Union Of The States Let Of these PERISH and the whole
magnificent fails the ground. Avoid, then all
Intervention with the local interests Of each other keep
hands oil this peculiar institution OF the South put down this
spirit Of free-sosm it will put down the Union scl(t
is now the most fearful element Of discord and dissoluon
and LEI be elected President of the United States who
does not boldly and frankly forth TO disayow all par
cipution with these factious fanatics.
In the same candid spirit, take the liberty Of telling my
brethren oil the South to observe the compromise SYSTEM
10 dscountenance every who would rush into
secession who would not avoid every rash and extreme
expcden until every amicabe has been exhausted,
until the southern people 80 far united by common
wrongs as TO DO driven into common struggle and until
the issue is fairly made between dissolution of the Union
and IA government withou, limitation of powers"
have cxpaatcd upon this topic length because
is the most important question before the country. But
there other measures which arc likely 10 up. The
Of Mr. Polks administration constitutes almost the
beau ideal Of constitution strictly construed and of gov
crnment wisely administered We did not then the pub
lie lands squaHdered away instead of preserving hcn 10
b,tkl III pth nnHf oE thn
tariff The power OF internal improvements was not per-
United to triumph the constitution; but scheme was
recommended encourage them by means OF constitu
ona TO duties TONNAGE To extend the power by
amendment oil the constitution, guarding at the same
time against abuses and in the application OF that
power. The tu system confined TO the revenue stan
iai and earnestly that the tariff OF 1876 may be
strictly and faithfully preserved The financial stem was
regulated by the specie standard and the of the
government were cut oil from all connexon with the bust
OF The banks. II Is 10 be hoped that the Democratic
party will still rally under these banners and that they will
once more organize together upon Their ancient PLATFORM
ou will have many local interests striving for the ascend
ancy bring them 10 the standard OF the ou
will have many aspirants for the presidential chair 1t VIII
become the duty of the Democratic party orepress this am
bton and refer every candidate 10 tho nomination Of
national convention You will have TO choose between the
action of convention and the election by the House Of
Reprcsentaves-at least until The constitution is amended
TO refer the election between the two highest candl-
dates second time 10 the people themselves What was
said in the Prospectus Of lS45 is still true
ave hold that this government belongs to the PEOPLE OF
the STATEshat is their power to give and TO take away
the highest offices Of the REPUpLIc-and that every man,
however distinguished by ability sorvices should calmly
wait until il shall please the people to call him into their
service
The democratic party ought to be reorganzed
possible Its principles the true eSponens OF the con-
sutiDnthe true guides 10 the prosperity oi the country
The Union itself IS never safe when il rests upon sectional
parties The great national parties overcap all local
lines and bind together o the party by the same
opinions and the Same interests.
But now leave this busy to younger and to ADLER
champions. retire private life full of devotion TO my
Inf he
men, To this glorious Union which no mans can exceed
retire full of gratitude 10 generous people, & VINO acn M ts
yon, my deserts cannot express the feelings with which
am penetrated. l am proud OF the friends whom have
won in both parties carry political resenmenls with
me private life I is with great pleasure that acEnow
ledge with grateful heart, the kindness which have
received from the citizens Of Washington. Soon after the
Editor of this paper came TO Washington he called himself
1.-THE stranger within its gates He no longer considers
himself in that light He them the sncerest gratitude
refinement OF hospitality ana kindness which ne as
received at their hands.
now transfer the helm 10 my accomplished and worthy
lts great satisfaction TO me to nd suc sue
ccssos who are worthy Of the confidence of the people, for
their high reputation for the ability they possess and for
their long devotion the republican party 1t is idle Tor me
bcspcak the entire support of the country in their behalf
BECAUSE already hail with pleasure the reclamation which
he annuurialion Of their names has elected and because
am satisfied that their own course will secure them many
more friends than possess.
One word more 10 my brethren of the press and have
done They have called the OF the press-"Fa-
her Rche-and all those amiable epilhets which seem TO
nave proesso gentlemen, OF tho highest Importance 10
our country In fact do how great republic can
be supported without intermediate organ which shall maze
known their agents the people, or the opinions
of the people their agents. But in thousand ways inc
press is of inesmabls Importance to the people IL shouo
o course be profession of high honor those who olc
rs fourtan II would certainly be one OF tie mos
dinilcd pursuits in society if j, conducted IN Inc
split which becomes its imporlance-with TALENT lnac
pendcncc gentlemanly lbeality, and with decency
and courtesy which due from one editor 10
! have often asked the question, How can editors
expect the respect of the world If they do not snow
some respect for each other No knows better han
retiring editor Of the Union difficulties the alcrihce
the drndgey which attend the profession; ana yet Il oe
comes you them all when your duty REQUIRES H.
You must therefore, carry into your task an lhaoeoe
spirit which quas under difficulty fou shoal s'
nothing the neglect your duties and the reproC your
own conscience You should think listening
time, every who viii ten you .c uuh'
Bnd when you made up your own opinions cay mem
in the firm spirit of free press In our
ecn there is necessity for great energy Of
nuci, endurance well Us much exertion 20
Energy mol sufficiently strong word Inc true secret "l
in every business is enthusiasm wouu eseca!
frankly recommend You careful attention 10 !oul a
cas- 5u in this respect let my course be warning, anu oI
an example you In making these suIseSn1&ns s & give