Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-07-14

and abortive labor of The Report OF the Re-
Committee, at the long session OF The
last Congress, which is understood to be the product
OF his pcn, and upon which he worked so hard, as TO
induce a ut OF Indigestion and dyspepsia, l know no
that Mr. Rlves has left belinde him at
Washington. Yielding him all that lie can claim, or
that his friends can claim Tor him, from his services
IN Congress, 1T cannot be said that MIR. Rives' course
was pre-, enilnantly brilliant, or mere than ordinarily
useful.
Looking then at the superior dignity of the mission
to France. at the difficult and important negotiations
pending with that country, ut Mr.. Rivcs' compare
tive youth, and comparatively undistinguished public
services at ms ignorance OF PRACTICAL d'pioniacv, ana
inc superior men whom the President had II III ms
power to select, | consider his choice hardly less
mJudlcious and extraordinary, than the many extra
ordinary appointments which it has pleased the Presi-
dent tn make. Was his object to crafty Virginia
II TINS was his motive, he passed has eye over the
man uniting m III: person tn a lngh degree, the quail
lhcations requisite TO fiji the appointment with 'iistin-
guishcd ability. and that general confidence which
MIR. Rives does not now possess. n time STALL give 1t
to him-I mean Judge Barbour. Independent of his
super'or talent, mR'urcr Judgment and higher fame,
Judge Barbour had claims of II delicate and imperi-
tive nature upon the President. AZ "A critical period
of rho late struggle, he abandoned the Bench where
it was Thought his inclination strongly led him to re-
main, to unite his influence more closely and produc-
lively to the jackson cause. " cannot be supposed
that he took a step so dccisively hostile against an
adminisi ra; ion of which his hro;her was a cunSpict-
ous mrnbcr-a brother TO whom he is affectionate)r
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. the sacrifice OF considerable feel
ing. The service rendered the Jackson cause by the
| acquisition of his talents, procured not without the
sacrifice of private interests and inclinations, aud
with some violence to his private affections, ought to
have been more gratefully acknowledged 1t seems
to have been the pleasure of the party to mortiiv and
d'prPelatr him, whenever ih" occasion offered.
Formerly Speaker of The House of REPRESENTATIVES,
and possessing from this circumstance mrivalled
claims among tho competitors of his own party for
lie char, he was mncercmnnioislv showed aside in
favor OF a more clan'orols and active collcarue-and
now again. another and much Younger collearc is put
over his head under circumstances of marked diSrc-
spcct towards him. regretted dcrrlv the obedience
paid by Judge Barbour To the call nj his old consti-
tucnts N 1927, a call mn de with all he appearance
OF being suggested by u punic for The endangered H.
ner'l"s OF the country, but which in truth ORIGINATED
III the every day motives of private views and calcula
TONS. was so much his friend IS to wish him;o stav
at home, where | was sensible his inclination incli
ned him to remain, and refrain from mixing in national
politics at 80 excited and turbulent a period. But tho
circumstances which caused my regret. ought to have
secured for him the highest gratitude. affection and
confidence Of Gen. jackson and ls fric nds, for 60 pro
mote The advancement of The causa which his iu;Ig
ment approved, ard which his abilities have so much
dignIhed and advanced, he resigned the comfort and
contcntipGnt oi his home and the Bench, to incur the
reproaches and cnntumcly of one party, and the nm
g atelul neglect of the other. He was the man, if
Virginia was to be complimented. who mcrited the
distinction. That be has been overlooked | must at
tribute either 10 unfoundcd distrust of his attachment
% the cause, from the circumstance of his kindred TO
a 'ncrnber ot the late administration dIstrust which
fit exist, is not less unfoundcd, than wayward anI
nnkiil't-or to the superior promptness and address Of
hr- RlVeS III paying his cuuIt-or to both conirinrd.
] wish not 10 be understood rs implvinr that Juduc
Barbour was an applicant for the mission toFrance,
am sure, indeed. he was motor that he would have
accepted 1t II rendered him. know nothing which
aufhofises me To express an opinion in either case. |
only know, that his talents, experience and virtues
gave him in n public point Of view, the highest claims
on the nation, and bis uniform department towards
the President, the highest claiya. on ii~ p~.soual es-
teen and regard.
l hope no reader understands me MS wishing to de.
rogate IN the rminutest degree, from the Just pretrn-
slons oil Dir. Rives. Talents he has, and he may bay,
done the state some Sci Twice; but | denv that one o,
the other, are of that ina eniticent order to lift hin
at once over the heads of his contemporaries. Grant
him Il winning address. considerable infor NATION y wei
ordered mind much industry, and the faculty, which
Is his most strongly marked Characteristic, of an
propriat1mg and ludiciously using the thourhts OF
others, and J apprehend are to be granted, which he
has auy right to call bs own. Genius he has none.
tie IS, with the exception ola good natural under
standing, q mate mp man, If | may so express myself.
by which ! mean that be is indebted to memory and
observation fo' any superiority he may possess over
the great mass OF men OF every day, good. common
sense. ] speak not inyidiouSIv, for nv fec]inrs to
wards bin are free from the least tincture of III will;
they are indeed, perfectly kind and amicable. 7
should not on any less OCCASION, than thai Of SLIGHT
put oy authority, through his person, upon n virfu-
Gus and most deserving Inan. have permitted uvsnIf
such is my respect for Mr. Riyes, 10 speak of Inn IN
any manner, winch by even forced construction,
might seem unirienGiY or deroratnrv.
The facility with which hIgI, reputation IS acquired
III the u. States, must bavc attracted the notice of
all observers: Already | hear parsons, dazzIed bv
the high and rapid rise of Mr.. Riyes, destine for him
The. iighest honour in the gift of the people, and I
shall not be surprised. if the revolution offs or 70
years, finds him a competitor for the Presidency. Is
the disposition to exaggerate, a natural infrmitv of
the American people, or is il the growth of the $50
lated situation Of the country. and of its extended
surface? l am inclined to think the latter, for !
should be sorry to believe boastinp, and exa ronr.;ion
to be inherent weaknesses in the character of orr
people weaknesses which provoke the sneers and
ridiculc OF ioreIgBers-as they were of the ancient
Gascops. l am satisfied offer examination, that the
peculiar disposition to consider ali our reese svons
and to call all our public men. g7,ert men. ori-
ses from the extent of our country, which bv
preventing the contact of public men, With The grcat
mass OF the people, leaves the imagination of the