Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-02-11
CHE constitutional yWhtu.
Thursday Ecelsts,g. FEB. ..
MR.. WRIT.

MR.. WRIT.
Since the nomination of Mr.. Clay by the Balti-
moro Convention in December, the expectation
has been INDUCED, that left without tho prospect Of
support from any other party than the Anti Ma
sons, whose ability to choose a single Elcctor was
questionable, Mr.. Writ would withdraw from
contest which presented not a single chance of
success, and that Anti-Jacksonsm of every hue
and subdivision, would concentrate it's suffrag go
upon Mr.. Clay. This expectation it appears will
be disappointed Whatsoever disposition Mr.. Writ
may privately feel to fulfil it-and wo have no
doubt that if it depended solely upon him, it would
DO fufllod-the relations between himself and the
Anti-Masons are such not to leave him at liber-
ty 10 pursue the suggestions of individual inclina-
ton. Nor, if the author of the letter, which we
publish, truly expounds tho Anti Masonic princi.
pie, il it material whether Mr.. Writ retires or not;
since if he were to retire, the party would imme-
diately find another candidate, and would, by no
means, support an adhering Mason in the person
of Mr.. Clay. There is nothing to regret, except
tho faulty of making Anti Masonry an element of
National Poltics-than which according to our ap.
prehension, nothing can be moro ridiculous and
indefensibe; for allow that Masonry from its dan
gerous practices and tendencies, requires invesi-
CATION and restraint that ought to be municipal
and not national. If Anti Masonry succeed, it can
no otherwise be praetised upon in the Federal Co.
vernment than TO take all Offices from Masons and
give them all to Anti- Mdsons, an odious and Anti.
Republican rule, which never can, never will, be
sanctioned by the people of this country, and
which would indeed be recession from the lights of
Liberty and Philosophy, to the darkness supersti-
ton and intolerance, of by gone ages. Those who
havo studied the traits of this age, and especially
of this people, know that this cannot be; that
mankind can never be dragged back to the prison
and shackles of exploded error. Anti Masonry
may partially flourish for time but it can neither
be generally victorious, permanently retain its
partial conquests. 1t is far narrow principle,
ever to predominant in great nation. A little
while, and it will quietly sink into passiveness and
oblivion; and if those opposed to it, would let ii
alone, refuse to argue and contend with it, Anti
Masonry would die Of mere hamilton in twelve
months 1t is kept alive by the stimulant Of con.
troversy.
The National Republicans then must bid ades
to any hope of assistance from the Anti Masons;
and in doing so, trust, will view Mr.. Wirts
position and adhesion TO it with lbcrality. We
ask attention to the interesting correspondence
which publish to-day.
MEssRs. EDIToRs-I have supposed the annexed
letters might be acceptable to the public, they
shew the opinions ola sensible we'll formed man,
on subjects very interesting to politicians. If you
agree with me in this opinion, you will give them
place in your paper. SUBSCRIBER.
JANUARY %, 1882.
My DEAR SRI beg leave to apply to you, as
an intelligent, and influential anti-mason, for in
formation upon some points, deeply interesting to
and / presume 10 all other national reDubllcans.
This party, it is well known has for some years
past, looked to MIR. Clay their great leader, and
has believed that his election would be secure, if
they could unite upon him the whole strength OF
the opposition. The nomination of Mr. Writ by
the anti-masons, considered (by somc) as cal
culated to divide the party, and eopardise their
success others thought, that he presented the best
point of union; because, ne had already the force
of the anti-masons and would be preferred, by the
friends of Calhoun, and the dsaflcctcd Jacksoni-
ans; and that under these circumstapces, the ma
tonal republicans, having full confidence in his ia
Tents and principles ought to sacrifice personal
predictions, to the success of the cause These
were the spcculations which preceded the national
republican conventions but all looked to that body
to fix on the candidate whom the party should sup
port. They, with great unanimity, nominated Mr..
Clay Those who knew Mr.. Writ best, were most
confident, that, in accepting your nomination, he
had been actuated by pure, elevated and patriotic
motives, and that, whenever those motives requr-
ed 1T, he would retire with much more alacrity,
than he had felt in conscnting to be brought for
ward. Since the nomination of Mr.. Clay, many
national republicans think, that the time for his
withdrawal, has arrived, and they say, that as
he can longer believe his election possible,
while he must see that to remain candidate, will
divide and weaken the vote for Mr.. Clay, nothing
but vain and reckless ambition, can impsl him
still to hold on. Others are of opinion that hay-
ing consented to be placed in nomination, by the
anti-masons, as their candidate, he cannot honora-
bly, withdraw without their permission. If, Gas in
cline to believe this should be Mr.. Wits opinion,
have too much confidence in his honor, to doubt
his remaining in the field, lat whatever sacrifice to
himself,) until reeased but anti -masons see the
misconstruction, and personal obloquy, to which
this course will subject him, and know that he
cannot be elected, ought they not in justice to him
Gf from other considerations to withdraw him
unless they can show some satisfactory reason,
of public nature, for still keeping him in public
view2 Will you be so good as to in form me, Qor
presume, you feel no objection to avow the prln
cIPle on which anti-masonry acts,) whether your
party considers Mr.. Writ in honor bound to re-
main their candidate long as they choose? i
so, will they release him? If not, ,chy not? Anc
finally, what would be the effect of his withdrawal
the vote Of anti-masonry, respects the cleo
ton of Mr.. Clay?
Respectfully, Yours, &c.
WASHINGTON, JAN. 80, 1882.
Ny Dear Sir: AS an individual Anti.mason,
feel neither hes tation nor reluctance, in COM
plvin,r er 70 nc I,rc yviihin Toy m with tht