The Enquirer

CAPTAIN CROWNINSHIELD.
There are some subjects which seem entitled to exemption from the influence of party rancor. The honors which a nation bestows on the memory of her fallen defenders, ought at least to escape the "back wounding calumny" of faction. The generous sentiment which prompted a private enterprise to procure the rights of sepulture for a deceased hero, was entitled at least to respectful acquiescence, if not to grateful approbation. It would hardly be credited that the feeling and noble conduct of Captain Crowinshield, in proceeding to Halifax for the remains of the gallant Lawrence, should have provoked the censure or the sneer even of the most barbarous Briton--or that the engagement of Judge Story, to pay the tribute of respect, in an eulogy to his memory, should have been the subject of jealous and malicious sarcasm. But those who expect any forbearance from the Opposition, on any subject, will always learn the fallacy of their hopes--Their judgement of actions is not measured by the nature of the acts, but the political character of the agents. Whatever the administration or its friends may do, is at once contaminated with crime. The most disinterested virtue is converted by the distorting medium of prejudice, into the theme of sneering blame--and the most laudable liberality, so far from averting, provokes the shafts of censure.
The following article is from the Boston Daily Advertiser:
"It is said that the privateering Capt. Crowninshield, of Salem, has obtained from Government a flag of truce, to proceed to Halifax, to remove, with permission of the British, the remains of the late lamented Lawrence. The body is, we understand, to be brought to Salem, where an eulogy on the character of the deceased is to be pronounced by Judge Story, who has been appointed to this office by-nobody knows who."
It is useless to enquire, whether this article can be considered liberal, manly or candid. Its character is borne on its face. But how miserably lost to all those feelings which honor the man, and all those sentiments which distinguish the patriot, must be that mind which could shed its malice against a high minded individual, in the performance of a most praiseworthy act, merely because he had engaged in manly enterprises against the national enemy, sanctioned by the government and honorable to the adventurers. But one supposition can account for such unseasonable and unwarrantable asperity--and that is, the habit of viewing every thing British with such complacency, that whoever in any way has been concerned in annoying them is the object of hatred and resentment. One half the indignation against the common foe, which is retaliated by the Boston Junto against those who fight the battles of their country, would make ten faithful patriots and true Americans in heart and soul.—[Balt. Pat.]