Richmond Enquirer

TO THE EDITORS OF THE ENQUIRER.

THE UMPIRE

"Blessed are the peace-makers."

It is with feelings of great satisfaction that I see the prominent stand which Benjamin W. Leigh has taken before the people for the Presidency of these United States. Perhaps no other man could be found so fitted, from many circumstances, to quell the present disturbances of the country than B. W. Leigh. But, before I speak of these, let us say something about his ability. Mr. Leigh has proven himself to be a politician of the best stamp. Liberal, enlarged, extended in his views. He understands the spirit of our institutions, and the whole policy of our country. In every situation in which he has been placed, he has shown himself a master spirit. Virginia is perhaps as much indebted to Mr. Leigh as any other man in it, for many of our best laws, and some of the best features in our Constitution. Mr. Leigh is fully prepared to fill this important office, by transcendent ability, and information. But what are the particular instances which fit him for this office?

1. He is no partizan. Mr. Leigh is bound to no party. He has never mingled in the strife of party, never has advocated men. And we never hear from him on this subject, except in the capacity of a voter at the ballot-box. Hence there can be an amalgamation of parties on him, and in him will centre the affections of all those whose respective leaders are too weak to put in successful claims on this subject. He is committed to no man, or set of men, to fee and reward, if successful; but can consult, without fear, favor or affection, the interest of the country.

2. He is uncommitted in his political sentiments in a good measure. And it is to be presumed, that from the diversity of sentiments and constructions, his powerful mind will lead him to form correct principles, and his firmness will lead him to support them.

3. From the peculiarity of Mr. Leigh's situation, it is presumable, that in the two great subjects, Consolidation and Nullification, Mr. Leigh will adopt the right course; shewing the danger of Consolidation and avoiding it, and pointing out the rocks of Nullification and avoiding them. To do this, requires a skilful pilot, one who has not a brother on one side or a father on the other. In both of these doctrines there is danger. In the term Nullification, is expressed the truth, that some efficient remedy is necessary against the encroachments of the Federal Government upon the reserved rights of the States. But the difficulty is, that more of the remedy has been applied than was wise, and instead of being given with a spoon, it was administered with a pitchfork. There is danger, and great danger, that the rights of the States will be encroached on, by the Federal Government. In fact this has been done. The Alien and Sedition Laws, the Bankrupt Bill, the Tariff, (excessive Tariff.) State Internal Improvements by General Government money, Colossal Banks, an over-stocked Treasury, from the pockets of the States, to be wasted on favorites: All these things are encroachments on the rights of the States. And the remedy to them is found in the Constitution; for this sublime, but abused instrument, has in itself the means of cure for all these infractions, if we will go there for it. The difficulty with the Nullifiers has been, that they too soon went out of the Constitution for remedies. They flew too soon to the ultima ratio in defence of rights, which were certainly infringed. They acted too much like the avaricious Hartford Conventionists, and came well nigh spoiling a good cause, by overaction. They have many with them, in the desire to attain their object. But some men, cannot consent to go to their extremes.

There is likewise a growing opinion in the North, that the Tariff was oppressive; that matter is in a measure settled.

Now, where can we find a man so fitted to act the part of the kind physician in this matter, as Benj. W. Leigh? He can pour oil on the wounds, and lay healing balm, and under his fostering care, in the next eight years, the North and South might again be firmly united. His hand might strike the waters of peace from the rock, and soothe the troubled passions of the people.

Mr. Leigh is a man eminently fitted, from the calmness and urbanity and conciliation of his character, to fill this office. It was said that the Queen of England's lap-dog was the cause of a bloody war between England and France. And thus a single unguarded word, spoken by the man at the head of the nation, falls like flame on heated pitch. A President should have no prejudices. The breath of party should not reach him: he should move above party. Mr. Leigh is as calm as the perpetual slumber of the ocean, only useful to exert his immense power, to the attainment of worthy objects. In the whole course of his political life, he has been noted for his disinterested conduct, and his adherence to principle, forgetting personal considerations.

Virginia will go for Mr. Leigh, with the exception of the mountains; and we do not know but that they will. Mr. Leigh's course in the State Convention, did not suit them. But this arose from no prejudice which he entertained against this part of Virginia. The measures which he advocated, were the necessary consequences of our peculiar situation, and future time will shew the correctness of his course. Mr. Leigh was placed in one of those peculiar situations, where he must make friends or enemies of one or two parties. And, it was his bad fortune, to be compelled to enlist against him, the worthy sons of the mountains. But can they not lay aside prejudice for the general good of the country? Surely, this is not the time, for sectional prejudices to divide the people.

Lastly, Messrs. Editors, may we not hope, that you will give the influence of your press in presenting Mr. Leigh as a prominent candidate before the people? You are well aware, that party spirit and the vast and increasing number of parties, like separate clans, are doing our country immense injury. We have now the ancient and modern republicans, nullifiers, secessionists, unionists; ancient and modern federalists: and out of these, are sprouting other parties, prolific as the animalcula.

We want some one, who will extract from all these, the true doctrines, and urge them. We want some man, who will reconcile the differences naturally springing out of the political difference between the North and the South; who will quell prejudices, and get over these difficulties. The Tariff and the Slavery Question, are the two great giants; who like the two Roman combatants, are meeting to carry on horrid combat.

We want some man, who will say to the North in language of mildness, let our slaves alone. To the South, be calm on the subject of the Tariff. We want some man, who will simplify the operations of the government: who will protect property, and leave the people free to manage their own concerns. Our government is simple: It is only rendered complex, by those who overlook its operations.

I do sincerely hope, that Mr. Leigh's claims will be freely urged. I am opposed to a premature discussion of this question: But the candidate is so good a one, that I am induced in this way, and at this time, to give him my feeble aid. I will not discuss the merits and chances of other candidates. But they all have party, written on their fronts in large letters. Many have done much for their country; but they cannot centre on them a sufficient vote, to secure the proper selection.

I wish, Messrs. Editors, to see the next canvass conducted on the score of principle. I wish to see men forgotten. I wish to see those who are to enter the arena, wave high the flag of Union, Liberty, Justice, equal protection, equal rights. I wish to see the people, the true sovereigns of America, take this matter into their hands, and upon true principles settle their disputes. I wish to see the people's President: Not a Northern or a Southern President, but a President of the whole people, from the white hills of New Hampshire to the plains of Florida.

I join issue with the clear and forcible "Yellow Jacket," especially in the last clause of his article, and with him I will go under the banner of Leigh; not as Leigh, but as the person, the mind, most fitted from nature and circumstance to effect the great end we all have in view.

Let the people of Virginia speak out. He shall get the feeble aid of

CURTIUS.

Will the Petersburg Times please publish the above?—Curtlus.