The Enquirer

FOR THE ENQUIRER.

THE RECONCILER.

The Editor of the Virginia Gazette has announced, that he is about to establish a paper in conjunction with Charles Prentis, under the title of the " Reconciler." The Virginia Gazette has hitherto been conducted upon principles purely federal; but the form which it is now to assume. indicates an alteration in its spirit, which must proceed from some cause which has not operated before this time. Those who recollect the part which the editor of the V. G. acted, during the short-lived domination of federal principles, cannot look for the motives of his present conduct, in any real attachment to principles of moderation.' If at a time when the whole force of the general government was levelled against the party who are now triumphant ; when we were told that the salvation of our country depended upon " humbling into dust and ashes," the men who have since been entrusted by the people of America with all the authority they can bestow :-If at this time, the Editor of the Virginia Gazette did not hesitate to approve and support the very worst measures which were adopted, we cannot surely expect from him a sincere and cordial wish, that all parties should unite in fraternal love. Nor are we to account for this sudden change in the principles of the Virginia Gazette, by the temperance and moderation of the gentleman who is now associated with the former Editor. Mr. Prentis (I speak of him only in his public character) has been the Editor or the principal assistant in conducting a paper in Washington, styled the " Washington Federalist;"-a paper remarkable only for the virulence and rancor with which it has abused the men and measures of the present administration. Notwithstanding these are facts too notorious to be denied, the public are now informed, that these two editors are to become Reconciler. Their principles are changed, and they no longer hesitate to offer a coalition with that party, or with some portion of that party, whom they have hitherto reviled. The idea of forming an union between federalism and republican principles, is too extravagant for any mind but that of a lunatic. As well might the most deadly antipathies of nature mingle, in harmony with each other. Where there is no common principle either of interest or affection, there cannot be even a momentary compromise.

If the republicans can forget the injuries and contumelious treatment which they received during the sway of federalism, they cannot so far lose sight of the interests of their country, as once more to commit her destiny to men, who have formerly brought her liberties to the verge of annihilation. Let not any one republican be for a moment deluded, by the specious pretext of reconciliation, held out by the Virginia Gazette : but rather view it in its true light, as an additional evidence of the insidious efforts of their political opponents, to tarnish the laurels of their well-earned victory.

To what cause then are we to ascribe the establishment of a paper, which professes to produce a combination between the federal party and some part of the republicans ? The cause is too plain to be misunderstood ; it is neither deep nor intricate ; it lies upon the surface, and the mind of a child can unravel it.

Never did any country exhibit an aspect more auspicious to the best wishes of the heart, than the United States, at this moment :-the constitution triumphant over every foe ; a wise administration diffusing its genial influence around it ; peace, liberty and happiness, the fruits of a patriotic government. If all the institutions of man were not prone to decay, we might anticipate from the present posture of affairs, an era of unchequered happiness, as durable as it is exalted. But the monitory voice of experience cautions us, that even in the luxuriant bed of prosperity, the seeds of discord are often sown : and the moment of triumph is often that which requires most our vigilant attention. While a party having some common object, unite their powers to humble an unconstitutional faction, who have usurped the seat of power, they act in concert ; their little differences of opinion are sacrificed on the altar of public good, and they move in an irresistible phalanx to the attainment of their point. But when they have at length reached the summit of their wishes; when their opponents have dwindled down into an inconsiderable band, too weak to be dreaded from their power, and too well understood to be dangerous from their artifice it is then that the varieties of human opinion begin to appear, and the different members of the same party, indulge their peculiar means of attaining one common end.

Men who are united only by motives of personal aggrandizement, will at all times adhere to their leaders ; but honest men, unless some object of paramount importance engages their attention, are too apt to be tenacious of every punctilio of opinion, and to produce some degree of jarring among their friends. It is certain that all party implies a mutual concession of subordinate principles, for the sake of a great common object ; and when that object is accomplished, the mind again expatiates in the boundless field of political expedients. The history of the world loudly pronounces the truth of these positions, and the fate of other parties as triumphant as ourselves, warns us from adopting their errors.

Painful as the truth may be, it is certain that some differences have arisen among the republicans of the United States. That independence of sentiment which always characterizes a genuine lover of freedom, has perhaps fostered the germs of discord which already begin to appear. I know not whether most to lament or admire it : since, while it threatens our political tranquillity, it also evinces the high spirit of independence which animates the republican party. But their differences have hitherto been confined to measures of minor importance: they have never encroached upon those cardinal points, which form the great tests of party in this country. I speak of Virginia only ; because Virginia I know. I know her from the first dawn of the revolution, when she planted the standard of rebellion on the very citadel of despotism, and summoned the sons of liberty to avenge their country's wrongs; I knew her at a crisis not less alarming, when the states were threatened a total extinguishment of their powers; and I have seen her since, moving in her orbit with as much dignity and firmness, as she had before displayed energy and power. Always first in the contest of liberty, she is also the most persevering in the combat. Is it then within the compass of human probability, that Virginia should apostatize from those principles, by a firm adherence to which she has gained all her glory? What motive but downright insanity could drive her from the uniform tenor of her own conduct? It is true there is some difference of opinion with regard to the extent to which it is proper to go in the removal of federal officers, who have been long in service : but does it follow that those who are for permitting a few of those officers to remain, under very peculiar circumstances, are advocates for electing indiscriminately, federalists to office? Or does it follow from this circumstance, that those who entertain this opinion, are therefore attached to federal principles? If this be true, then is the President of the United States a federalist !

However trivial this difference of opinion may seem, it is the only basis on which the. Editors of the Reconciler, found their hopes of forming a combination with those in Virginia, whom they please to denominate men of moderate principles. It is proper that these gentlemen' should be undeceived. It will be prudent for them to learn on the very threshold of their undertaking, that there is no party in Virginia which will unite in the scheme, except a few of their former friends, who have lately assumed the mask of republicanism. Their plan is too shallow to impose on any man. Why is it that a party once so proud and arrogant, now stoops to solicit aid from their former enemies? Because, unable to effect any thing by their own efforts, they have no other resource than to produce a division among their opponents. Why do they affect to believe that a portion of the republican party in this state are discontented with the present administration ? Because they are anxious to accomplish by artifice, what they cannot effect by honorable means. Why do they propose a coalition? Because their embrace is inevitable destruction. Equally the enemies of those with whom they wish to unite, and those whom they desire to oppose, they are attempting the final ruin of both. If indeed, there be a part of the republicans in this state disposed secretly to undermine the present administration, it would be folly and madness to form a covenant with men who are too well known as the satellites of tyranny. They would do more injury by their support than by their enmity. But where let me ask, is the evidence that such a party exists in this state? In what instance has it been avowed, that the system of measures pursued by the present administration is hateful in the eyes of any man who bears the name of a republican? The Editors however, of the Reconciler, appear so confident of this fact, that they tender as the first offering on the altar of reconciliation, the most unqualified condemnation of the great characters who now preside over the affairs of the union. The name of Jefferson, so dear to the heart of every genuine republican. is treated with singular contempt. That incorruptible champion of the rights of man. John Randolph. is assailed with the utmost venom of their invective. Every great and leading measure of the present administration has fallen under the censure of the Editors of the "Reconciler." Who are to be reconciled by this conduct? Can it have that effect on men who have uniformly supported all those measures which are thus reviled, and who therefore must bear a share in the censure which is thus thrown out? The Editors tell those whom they wish to gain to their party " change " your principles, condemn your former friends " and yourselves, avow your apostasy, and then " we will admit you into a solemn confederacy " with us, who have hitherto been your most " determined foes."

They are prescribing the most dishonorable conditions. while at the same time they are trying to gain some little importance by seeking a connection, with those who are able to confer it. As well might a garrison reduced to the utmost extremity, inform the besieging army, that if they will depart in peace, they shall not be molested. Artifices, which deceive nobody, can only bring their authors into derision and contempt.

Let not the Editors of the Reconciler mis- take the toleration which some of the republicans are willing to extend to a few federal officers, as an evidence of attachment to federal principles. The first tenet of a republican is an abhorence of federal aristocracy: an attachment to the principles of liberty and the constitution is the great moving spring of all his actions. When he feels these great blessings to be secure from the attacks of their enemies, he may pause for a moment and rest from the labor of purgation. But the moment he perceives that his favorite system is incompatible with the indulgence of his social benevolence. his choice is at once decided. The republican party are inspired by one mind and one Soul. If insidious arts are employed to misrepresent that which is the mere effect of good humour, they will be driven to give unequivocal proofs that they are firm in the cause which they espouse. Should the Editors of the Reconciler. and those who are engaged in the same pursuits, still persevere in their present design, they will find, too late, that they are deceived in the temper of the people of Virginia ; and that there is nothing more terrible than the vengeance of an offended nation.

A REPUBLICAN.