Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1833-08-06


racter IL would be the means OF conducting through
the Capitol Of the State not only the bay frdrel hut
large proportion OF that between the North and South
wh!ch Is now taken in packets Ii would bring the city
oil Richmond fifty miles than II is to the
oil The Federal Government and the great Northern cities
would accommodate considerable trade in minerals and
produce, and have the effect that all ucious successful
Improvements exert in leading TO the execution of other
valuable Undertakings.
~ The above is from experienced and respect
able source Bn, we must protest against calling upon
the Hercules ut Washington TO help Let his x.
ercse all constitutional vgour;" but inch be-
You'd the sphere OF his duty. Far better put own
shoulders to the wheel.-Editors.
TO TIE EDITORS OF THE ENQUIRER.
WILLIAM G. RIVES, ESQ.
writer in the Enquirer OF the 23d OF July, the
signature OF Mu'ius," has indulged in severe attack
upon the political orthodoxy and and TO some
extent, The capacity of this dsng ushed citizen and
make The attack more sectua he has attempted prove
ina, Mr. Mai'on whose constitutional opinions iden.
teal with those of Mr. Rivcs. is FEEDER ais charge
which long AMI evenf Lille OF public service utterly
isproyes Iis much 10 be regretted tha, in the pesen,
tay there no charity for the sgh,cs; shade difference
oil opinion about political questions, aud tina, he who
not so the wois length With party, is prescribed
unworthy OF public confidence Such seems to be the
case with MIR Rives Although for nearly twenty years
he has devoted his time and talents faithfully and useuly
20 the public service, because he agree with
The modern notions OF Nulcaion and Secession advo
Gated by John C. Calhoun and Others he is charged with
aposiacy, dereicou OF principles aud iederaisn! During
the whole period OF his public service he has been den
he'd aud acted with the republican party aud has been re-
gaided by them maintaining the true f.i,r: but now
he IS without ceremony thrown into the ranks OF the fe
deraiiets; aud tor WHAT Because he has had the har
hoou 10 ofer IN opinion from the nullcrs aud seceders
VINO have taken TO themselves the title OF exclusive re-
pubicans, and repujia,c every one who will not 20 the
whole length oil their systems with them Mr.. Rres has
not changed one single political principle which he ever
lna'ntsined, and he de6es proof to the contrary.
my purpose in the present article simply TO vnli
cate Mr.. Rves against the charges which "Muus" pre
iers against him, without entering into the consideration of
The motives that prompted them, believing as [ do bat
Rives. " "
"Mu,ius' charges that Mr.. Rives' opinions upon the
subject OF the Tariff particularly in relation TO lis oons
onay were so eectualy concealed that his c,ion To
tne Senate was procured through msapprchenson of
them. That MIR. Rves opposed TO the tariff and sim
csreiy so, could certainly have been matter ouht
with any man who has real his speeches and who ha
witnessed MS uniform votes against il. His severe
apprehension OF il In his speeches goes clearly 10
mat his opposition was decided aud sincere Since his
sseuon 10 he Senate the proof is equally clear that
ne sun enteraiis the same sentiments In his speech
IN The Senate which 10 have given so much of
fence 10 some politicians OF the present day. he uses this
strong aud emphatic language "nd in order 10 nrecI
all misrepresentation, beg leave TO saw in the ouiset
mat no one is or has BEEN thoroughly opposed 70
hat whole system usually denomiuated the American sys
tenn, than have been, and still My voice Sir has
oeen often and strenuousy raised against in another d
vision oil this capitol consider IL unjust in ,,rineine
nefpea'enf IN practice oppressive and unequal in as
operdfion-n short an abuse Of po,cer confaru 10 the
true genius Of our institutions'' But this is not MIR
kvess sin. HE has fought aud is still valianty fighting
the anttarh side with all the earnesn.ss and zoa ~
which is capable. Yet he is 10 be treated ne do
serter- because he believe that the
unconstitutional. The Legislature had conclusive evil
uehce oil MS opposition TO these laws and but few mem
bers therefore, seemed to feel any concern with
ms opinion, as to their consitutiouay; because thew
knew that whatever it might be, they would have the aid
OF MS untring efforts to effect their repeal When Mr.
ancey was enqured of by Mr.. Wicher and others as
10 Mr. Rives opinions OF the consitutionay of the tariff
and he would not vouch his opinions upon that question
was not the conclusion irresistible that he believed i'm
consuuiionay! Had Mr. Rves ever said that the were
uneonsn.u,ionTR II so, to whom did he say it, How
men, was the Legislature deceiUed this point, He
nor single sentiment deceive, did any of his
friends. II his opinion TO the constitutonaty of the
,arn had been regarded as vital, why not the cleo
non postponed few days, until il could be ascerained
In three days the enquiry could have been made and the
answer received. But Mr. Rvess letter TO hIessrs w
cey and Gmer "Mdlus' thinks, was deceptive because
he did not avow his opinion upon that point MIR Rves
was opposed TO the tariff and he intended 10 make war mn
on as system lie could not have deemed il so vital
important mat the Legislature should be apprized of
he ground upon which his opposition based so that
he opposed honestly and sincerey-for if the tariff az
protective system, was destroyed uDmportant bv
what arguments lis destruction was effected I'm His ve,y
oil things, confident, that when his letter wac mi,
ten TO his friends il did occur to him that an exnres
SION OF me grounds oil his opposition necessary or ma
eIa' H. then, any member drew conclusions tiom this
letter, which Mr. Rvcs did design slld be drawn he
Is not responsible for that But after all what ia The
ground OF objection! Mr.. Rives is still opposed to the
drn; ana so are his accusers and the complaint s thar
r' VeS does not oppose IL OF the grounds which
uey DO. Really this singala that, while both nar,;e
war oh 'ne'r adversary they war between themselves
SIMPLY as 10 the eiiectual mode of attack But do moi
beheve that this difficulty with Mr. Rives Womb
ever existed had ii not been for the South Carolina CON
tTSyersy. 10 sustain The position which South CaroIna
ma" taken, the unconsuionaty Of tie tariff ,nns he
maze out Nothing else will do; hence by all those
VINO sustain The stand taken by s. c. uncompromisine
maoe upon every one who does not believ uncon
su,ulohai' am well aware that many eminent Virginia
satesineh before that perol believed unconstutiona
""ie tnere are many, who warmly oppnsed TO il,
VINO oeeVc IL constitutional yet great abuse of consi.
uonai power But all united in making war i,pon 4, To
Jnsy nuhca,ion or secession of the tariff its
nnconstiiuiionaliIy must be manifest brcausc the
exercise OF these powers by State is based pon oIpo
Oe ot0et ana dangerous iurac tons of the Constitution
o ose who maintain these opinions of single State now
ers hls point Is vital; and do therefore wonder M
Zea VII" which II is urged their opposition 10 every
one VINO does not 20 the whole length of their views
put u'us argues This charge the me MIXERS of The
Legislature, whose opinions in accordance with his
own were The whole body. have doubt that there
was majority oil members entertaining opposi,e senti
mens combining the advocates the tariff and those who
opposed IL on The same ground with Mr. Riyes and il
certainly saying great deal charge Mr. Riyes win
incorporating the views Of the Legislature because he
ui'icred with portion OF its members MIR Rives's mi
mons upon the subject Of The tariff have been consistent
an MS course OF opposition uniform. His
ne'oe me pubic; and it, with all these evidences fore
men, opinions were ascrbed 10 him which he never en-
tertained he is not responsible for it, No man deems +,
necessary or proper TO make of his poll
tcal creed - U.s. f
On the subject Of internal Improvement Muis admits
mat NIT kves was orthodox in 20 81 and 26-27 being
oPPoseu 10 me exercise OF any power this sub.
Ject by tie General Government. But he wsbes IN kpo
what are his opinions in 1881 "auus saws havng re-
terence 10 previous letter addressed by him to Sir Rye
through the tnuuirer O--t Ana