The Enquirer

The Enquirer.

RICHMOND, 8th NOVEMBER.

The editor of the United States Gazette, of Philadelphia, (a federal print) assures us, "from an undoubted source, that Mr. Monroe has actually expressed to our government an opinion, that we ought to proceed to an immediate declaration of war against Spain."

The Alexandria Expositor, of Nov. 1st, states that "the reports in Washington city confirm" the reports which we have said were afloat in this city, that "the Spanish minister, having determined to leave the U. S. had demanded his passports from our government."

The Election of Pennsylvania, whilst it has given rise to many well-founded apprehensions of danger, has led to many reports, which have not the least foundation. "We hear much here (says our well-informed correspondent in Baltimore) of a THIRD PARTY, to be formed of HONEST men from all the states. Some eminent Virginians are mentioned to be of the new Junto: Madison, Gallatin, &c. with Bayard, Dayton, &c.—and the oil and vinegar junction is to be made up to crush Duane and a few injudicious, hot-headed Irishmen!"

This is a favourite idea even with some men among ourselves. but it is one which rather springs from their hopes than their convictions. The "Union of Honest Men." has become the chorus of many a federal ditty in the two most active newspapers in Virginia. Provided they can ascend to the summit of their wishes, they appear indeed to have very little queamishness as to the means used for their elevation. If every republican should turn an apostate or a Burr, they have no objection to receiving him as a brother. We must, however, pay them the compliment of observing, that tho' the "union of honest men" is their favourite object, they hold forth rather a more respectable motive than the crushing of a newspaper printer, or a "few hot-headed Irishmen."

The condition of Virginia is far less auspicious to dissention and division among the republicans, and a coincidence and union with the federalists, than the state of Pennsylvania has been. Our constitution is the theme of our warmest approbation, and except one or two unimportant features which we should be willing to amend, we would not exchange it for any other in the union. Our governor is a respectable but an inoffensive officer. We have none of those general elections by the people, which are calculated to bring every man in the state at the same time into collision and difference. Our population is uniform, without any of those distinctions of clans and tribes which produce a diversity of interests. Irishmen have found their way among us, who possess all the free spirit of their countrymen; but their numbers or their influence are not calculated to create the slightest shadow of an alarm. As to our editors, we have none among us, who has assumed such an authoritative air, as the editor of the Aurora. Yet it would be presumption in us to hope, that the republicans shall always enjoy this enviable harmony of sentiment. There must be shades of difference in their opinions on questions that relate to the theory or administration of the government; but when the previous points of coincidence are so many and close, these little contrarieties, if they are managed with moderation, will vanish without producing a division. There may be trimmings and softenings down, and a censurable spirit of moderation among some of the republicans who live in our towns, but the great body of the Yeomanry are placed beyond the means of corruption and change. Years will pass away before the great majority of the Virginians shall break down their compact republican phalanx: and let not the republicans of the other states indulge the gloomy anticipation; let not the federalists "lay the flattering unction to their souls," that this favourite idea of an "union among the honest men" will ever find a foothold here. Virginia has never yet been the friend of federalism, nor will she be. Should every other part of the union desert its republican principles, we do not hesitate to say, that there is "a redeeming spirit" in the manners of her people, which shall preserve one state at least free from corruption.