Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1833-03-09
March 2d, 1888. " :

We regret that the letter from VIZ Campbell with the
explanation oil our reporter was crowded of the last
enquirer by unavoidable circumstances. And il is due
the parties concerned lest unjust construction should
be put upon the dey of its publication, say that was
received on Monday last and would have appeared ear
er had IL been consistent with our other engagements
TO TIE EDITORS OF THE E.vQUIRER.
Upon looking over the debate in the Legislature on
the election OF United States Senator, reported in
late number of the Enquirer am persuaded that the ex
panson which is there given the remarks of Mr. Gho
son. together with the entire exclusion of part of my
reply 10 INN, may suggest 10 the public mind nere
as TO the candour of Mr.. Mcdowell, on the political
questions which decided that election which were moi
understood as suggested in the debate ITSELF which am
satisfied MIR. Ghoson did intend suggest and which
know, personally, do not in justice apply.
There was nothing in the actual debate either in the
manner substance of it, that conveyed the idea of in
tended disrespec indeed ii was disclaimed-Y eft surb
me tenor oil particular passages in MIR Ghosons publish
ed remarks that this inference is scarcely avoidabe His
remarks were chiefly nterrogatve-were addressed TO me
Tor reply and could have construed them insinuate
any improper hesitation in MIR McDowelPs course or
any want OF hrnncss fairness in declaring his opinions
upon Tie qneSuons which divided the Legislature and
the country, should, unquesonaby, as one of hi,
friends, ana couversant with in this matter have
promptly answered and repealed the idea. This idea
however, though not occurring TO my mind from the
spoken remarks, nor To the mind far can learn
OF any else, readily aud almost unavoIably occurs
rom the published ones-a circumstance, which,
doubt not IS casua-prOcec dng from no intention on
Mr. Ghoson's part TO speak language thro' the press
which he did not in his place in the Housc but from
his overlooking the broader tendency of Li. remarks
whilst preparing them for publicaon Had nv response
been published in full with the remarks of Mr. Gbolsor
the Implication which his remarks may be thought TO bear
would IN some degree have been Obviated For the mr.
pose OF correcting these Inaccuracies, and that unn-
tended improper impression may produced with the
public have called upon the Reporter of the House nj
Delegates to furnish from his a. exactly as poblo
the remarks OF Mr. Ghoson, and my rcpicatios TO b.
several nquros-s e has done, aud lis re- port is sub
joined.
In connexion with this subject deem il p.rtin.,t n
say, that although MIR. McDowelPs friends had ire.
qnenty spoken of and had been anxious 10 hiring rim
forward Tor Tie " y Senate, yet they had finally declin-
ell doing so before the election on. His nominal
hon therefore, was unexpected resulting from contingent
cics not counted aud hence was purposev pre-
pared to give full expose Of his political senmcnts-
My own nomination aud support OF him were self promp
ed arising entirely out OF the circumstances in which
ound myself placed at the momen and i'm the remarks
winch submitted, except in far the doctrines of
Modification and Secession, and those dependent upon
knowledge oil his opinions. Upon the doctrines suggest
ed however, that knowledge exact and sdtsac
ana ihcy were the doctrines upon which tho election
was decided, notwithstanding The shew Of other mat
enre between the parties n the Legislature was found
ed upon the opposite constructions which were given
10 the doctrine Of Observation-Disclosures ID was 10 he
held as pcaccable and constitutional right or as an
ira constitutional and revolutionary remedy On these
opposite constructions the parties Of tle House stool
arrayed-On them, IL we'll known, the election,
to the Senate would depend AMI by them it was actually
deerninedthose who maintained Ie principesof
dDe secession supporting Mr. Tyler, and those who con
denned 81, Mr. Mcdowell the vote which was divided
Oetween them telling perhaps to a man, the political party
oil the voter. My own thorough knowledge Of Mr. Nc.
DoweFs opinions on this point only from unreserved
communication in private but from frequent avowa and
Voes upon ~ the House. SUCH that was surprs-
ed to hear any call Tor information as to his opinion upon
hls SUBJECT or the submission Of inteuogaores which