Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1832-05-25
POLITICAL.
TIE Woe PRESIDENCY

THE VICE PRESIDENCY.
We find the following letter. which we have pcrlscd
with much interest, in the Washington Globe. The wri-
ter of it, Mr. Patton. is member of Congress from Vir-
ginia and recently appointed by portion OF his con-
situents delegate To attend the Baltimore Conve nion
IL will be that he declines attending that duty
frankly gives his for complying with the
appointed delegate. His letter is addressed Col
Walker, chairman Of tina! meeting. MIR Patton expresses
decided preference for Philip p. Barbour candidate
for tho Vice Fresdcncy.-BOSton Gazette.
WAsHINGroN, May ith, 1882.
Dear Sr:-I have received copy of the preamble and
resolutions adopted by meeting of portion of the poo
pie OF Madison county at which you presided. BY one
OF these resolutions, have been appointed represent
those composing the meeting, in the Convention shortly to
DO held in the city OF Baltimore, for the purpose 'e
signaling INT individual TO be voted for Vice President
Of the u. States
mony OF confidence, from portion Of those whom
represent. the appointment in other respects has
no little embarrassment
Sensible the hand that if the service which
been required of should not be performed there will
not be time for to elect another delegate And the
same time, both willing and anxious to render my assist
ance towards the attainment OF any object desired by
large and respectable number" OF my constituents which
there is improperly my furtheTing and which will
not interfere, or he incompatible with my public duties
still, am impecd the other hand by considerations
stronger than these ask be excused from the
task which has been assigned me.
Justice myself and sincere respect for those who
have honored me with this proof OF their confidence, de-
mand that should the which induce nc
decline attending the Baltimore Convention.
concur in the cncomium you pass upon Philip r. Bar
bOur. l agree fully with you in thinking that he is, in
every point Of view ga fit individual TO be voted for
Vice President at the approaching election. believe he
''is honcst-Ic is capabehc !. faithful the Consitu-
tion-and am decidedly in favor of his elections i'm pre
ference to any Of those who have been named for that
high and honorable station And am determined TO show
my preference for biz, not by professions bat by voting
&C. han, ii rket OF electors nderood be in favor o6
General Jackson as President and Judge Barbour
Vice President, should be made out in Virginia, and have
any reasonable prospects of success
And il il precisely, because thus decidedly in "a
Of Judge Barbours election and Cen Jackson's re-
election, that not willing to participate in the dclbc
raons of body, whose proceedings have every rea-
to believe, will be entirely hostile the former
Iceland, much fear, do not little towards leopard
ing the other 1t is considered here, generally, and
have doubt truly to be certain any future
depending on human agency be- that Judge Barbour
will not be nominated by the Baltimore Convention. Ma.
ny of the delegates who sent there, from Yir-
gnia will probably prefer rather vote in favor of ano
Their individual Your in his favor uttered hy or
any other representative you might have there would be
unavallng am unwilling TO play at any game, either
OF politics any thing else which there is moral
political certainty, before hand, that AIN be beaten.
You will, very naturally ask, what harm there be-
seeing that you and agree in prelcrng Barbour in my
going there 10 represent and express your wishcs Look
Ing tipon this Convention rs suppose Won do in the
light in which VIC in Virginia accustomed To regard
such assembly meeting in caucus, merely consua-
tive, and its nominations as rccommendaOry ony-it
would he expected that you should ask the question:
difficult for me to give you satisfactory answer. II this
to be the character Of the Conventions and believe
that ii would be so viewed generally by those who will
assemble there as well as their constituentsl would most
gladly go and represent YOU it, when the time arrives,
could with propety, leave my the House for that
purpose.
But this occasion, shall have TO meet with delegates
from many States, wherein nomination suppos-
eel TO pledge the faith OF the representatives and OF his
sduens-aud, in measure, ofie party which they
belong, 10 its support; and strongly is this principle
ed that usually there sub caucus the
OF the nominees and then in open meeting unanimous
recommendation IS made Of bin who obtains majority
the whole in tho preliminary meeting Sscb, believe
was the course pursued in the Clay convention, well as
the AMI Masonic convention which 1sscmblcdin BHmOre
within tie last twelve mouths-A YOU willng-dd YOU
contemplate being bound aud pledged, vote for any
who might be nominated there, although YOU
might think him unworthy or incompetent or both? / do
DOT believe you did and should be doing you gross in
Justice, thinking il were 10 place you in that situation
by any oct Of mine, it willing 10 place myself
IN that cOnditOp-which aIn not.
do not wish to be understood expressing any gene
raj condemnation Of political caucus. On the contrary,
dare say there may be- and have been cases in which
1t was not only jusiabe, but highly proper to rcso to
10 as means OF concentrating public sentiment upon some
individual out Oi many-the election Of either of
whom would be satisfactory party generally and be-
whom there Is much difference Of political opn.
ion. aud Of moral and political worth Every patioi
should be willing TO sacrifice personal preference
for the attainment Of a common object which be believes
TO important 70 the prosperity and faithful adminstra
ton Of the GOvernmcntand 10 be aainablc by such sac
hcc. In the present case, what common object, impor
tan to the public ineresiswhat great principle IS IT, fo
render Of our personal preference the renquishnen
Of any effort TO elect whom many OF you oycal
admire and esteem aud whO7c purify moral and pOijsa
none have ever qucsOncd3 10 those who are 10 be b
competitors agcc n their political opinions generally NJ Il
the policy OF this government in The administration Of the
trusts conidcd to either with him with one another
Fdr from W bis and their opinions arc - 10 most Of the