Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1833-09-20
Win mighty WOns aTm'd,
As do gum owls upon kissing goose"
Sept 10, 1888. TOM THUMB.
TO THE EDITORS OF TIE ENoy,esa

TO THE EDITORS THE ENQUIRER
Circumstances beyond my controuI, have posed upon
me the necessity OF again repassDg upon your columns.
do so with reluctance, and only for the purpose OF
plying "Germanicus" who seems disposed to defend
Senator Rives whether his official conduct fright or
wrong. Ii surely not necessary for "Germsncus"
to have erauously informed the public OF his personal
regard for MIR. Rves. Daily observation convnces us
that there are not few, whose political preferences
founded upon warm persoDaI regard for their friends.
Onniuenced by any such personal regard" have des
cented on the public conduct Of Senator Rves, with a
ankness inspired the consciousness OF freedom and
one which persuaded has been rcinaI able for
acrmony OF censure bitterness OF invective. Ger.
manicus having ia his dscursive ed and
criticized my several communities ons, pun pose noticing
those two OF his production, which appeared in the En-
quirer Of the b and 30lh u IL is proper TO remark
that in commence Of the discussion had quoted ihe
Wing Of December litb 1882 show that when queries
had been addressed to Mr. Rves in order his
political creed, MIR. Rives declined expression OF his
constitutional opinions, and restricted himself to the
biguous and IacoDic declaration that he Tariff
Ani'fsnk, &c. In short, | had charged MIR RiVes
with cupable omission OF duty, In failing com,n.
n,cste his constitutional opinions to the Legislature
OF Virginia, at time. hen Mr.. Rves knew tina, his
friends bad II IN ontenpat 10 and supper
him. tor the office Of Senator Of the United States
And how did "GermanicUs" answer the chaige! Did
he deny that Mr. Rives was under obligation divulge
his creed! No. DID "Germanicus attempt TO prove
that MIR. Rive had disclosed his views' No
How them has "Germanicus' argued the natter9 Hear
him "3nt after all (ssd he what is the ground OF oh
jection' Mr. kiVes Is still opposed TO the Tariff, and
are his sccusers; and the complaint is, that Mr.. Rves
does oppose il OF the grounds which they do
Really tbs ~ singular, mat while both parties
their adversary, they war between themselves simply a.
10 the eHectusI mode Of attack" One would infer Iron,
this that ! bad severely eensured Mr. Rive. be.
cause he had not declared the Tariff uneOnstifu.
honnL But " GermanicUs" has totally nisspprebend-
ed the charge, and IL he will again ppruse the COM
n'uncaon which affected his friendly seDsibiiies 80
deeply. he will perceive how singular 1t was, that
he should have fred at the shadow OF shade;
or, IN oher words. have expended his logic, com
plant which had not been urged. Now, the real
charge was that Mr.. Ryes had explicitly and un.
equiyocsy svowed his constitutional opinions upon
The Tariff, and other subjects. And surely there was
nothing strange 10 this, when reflect upon Mr.. Rves
situation at The period alluded to- and upon the fact,
that late as the Session Of 2s-'29 the Legislature
OF Virginia adopted several resolution the third Of
which declared. that the Tariff laws "sre not authorised
by tho plain eons'rncon true intent and meaning Of the
Constitution Whether public sentiment 10 Virginia, has
or has not been revoIuonzed in reference TO the validity
OF protective Tariff high moral obligation was imposed
upon Mr. Rives to make full development Of his vie
upon all monenous eonsttuttonal questions Without at
tempting TO demonsrste that Mr. Rives opinions had bean
July disclosed 10 the Legislature Csrmsneus evsded the
eh"rge which had been advanced and argued against
"eomPlaint eDgendered by bs fancy. He does
appear TO think u material, whether Mr. Rives admits
denies the eonsuiously Of the Tariff, provided he op.
poses s'Teouously s0pposs lhs, Mr. Rives were 10