Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1830-05-18
Your ob't serv't
May 10, 1880. THOMAS w. WHITE

SrANARDsvILLE, ORANGE County, May1l, 1850
.Messrs Pieasants s. Abbott,
In looking over the Richmond Enquirer OF The -,
! see q piece signed NlrgInian, wherein the writer
dertakes TO vent his spleen and mapnity towards
Col James Barbour of this county. The virulence
and uncouth arrogance of that production merits ST.
lent contempt more than serious refiltatiou From
knowledge of some facts in my possession feel
1t duty owe to the public and the distinguished in
divdual therein wantonly assaed. 10 state that
was IN the city of Richmond attending the debate c
the Convention, at the time of his arrival there and
had opportunity of possessing myself of such in
formation as to know, that the representation of Vr
gInlan Is couched In and manifest Injustice.
day or two after Mr.. Barbour's arrival in Richmond
had the pleasure of interview with him and de-
rived much pleasure from renewal of former ac-
quaintance. when he enquired of me when | would
return to Orange, that he should leave Richmond on
thursday, and would be happy in nv company. This
was on Tuesday and of course he had Misrepresentation
OF public dinner at that time. The next dav had
the pleasure OF meeting with him ut The private house
OF friend and on the morning following, he inform
ed Inc that he had declined leaving Richmond until
Sunday expressed my qualification to learn the
cause of his delay. to which he responded that che
fet grateful to his fellow citizens for their friendly
testimony OF respect" The public dinner to which
Frglnan REFERS did not attend but from the great
worth, talents and integrity, that surrounded that
convlvai oeara should suppose that this surrepti
tlous calumnlator, would have had more regard to
truth and JUSTICE and higher veneraton for the pre-
eminent Statesmen who attended that dinner, than
to ascribe to them more the feelings of sympathy
than an honest devotion to principle. Yes, sirs it
was distinguished honour to this mcrtorous Son Of
orange, In which the frcemen and Republican Pat
riots OF the land, had the irnness to participate in
unison with their fellow citizens and welcomed nuest
When such men as Madison, Marshall and Monroe
convene, depend 1t that sVirue is the quest and
honour is the FEAST, and that when Virginian under
takes to anima6vert the friendly associations of
such men, he relipqushes all claim to the distjnr,I;si
ed Title winch his presumption, vanity and arrogance,
have assumed. Whatever manifestations the friends
OF Col. Barbour may have given of their desire for
him to be considered candidate for Governor an,
confident, that without his knowledge and that
1t was not his wish to be elected at that time This
writer then proceeds 10 notice the address of Col
Barbour. at Orange Court House, and wihou, givipr
just representation of the able vindcation Of that
eminent Statesman, denounced him with nnexa,nplcd
bite ness; thereby denying him the great the hirb
and irresistible privilege OF indicating life devo-
ted TO the of his country and EXERCISING one
of the dearest privileges ola freeman. He states that
Col. Barbour announced himself candidate for the
county through amblton--this lis not the fact. He
obeys the cali of the freemen of ORANGE In becom.
ing candidate. He forward in the true spir-
1t OF the fourth article of the bill Of rights. and in
gratitude to his countrymen. The most hearlles Ell
fruntery is in the speech which Vrgnan has thoupht
proper to suggest, as the more proper one for Mr..
Barbour to have delivered, at the Courthouse. I
have never IN my life, lower depression from
the true character of republican freeman, than
that debasiDj-, serve obedience, required IN that
mandate The language and Insoence of that wri-
ter, forbid the belief, that it can emanate from n
man, who values the liberty of his fellow for it
is couched IN indecorous language; indicating the ma
Lightly of the heart rnanlfestng more the Split of
desPotsm the liberty of speech, than the free,
fair and undsguised feelings OF the Patriot When
ever the little juvenile politicians Of the day, pretty
and arroguntly require freeman and the fathers OF
the land to bow to faction, or imaginary greatness,
they require, they Deserve the udmonition and even
the rebukc, of every patriotic citizen of Virginia
am. gentlemen,
With the highest respect,
O.. Your obieDt servant,