Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1834-02-06
b. W. LEIGH, ESQ.

-. W. A6A0fS, ESQ.
The following patriotic letter from one Of Nir-
sinia's most distinguished Spns, B,~JAxt> WAT
Ki>s Lricu, ESP, Ne coy. from "a late number
Of the Richmond Wing. 1t is one FROM smon;,s,
several others which appear in tia, Isper, upon
the same subject, and which have been furnished
Tor publication. b, the gentleman to whom tbs,
were addrcssrd, NJ the =. earnest solicitation IL "A
large circle Of friends of different political opo
ions"
Extract Of a letter from II. ~ Lish, 10 a ren-
hsmsn ~ Brunswick, dated .ipgtSi ,, 1888
Let me assure you, that until my return
from South Carolina last spring, the thought
had never crossed my mind, that should or
could ever be presented Ia NV country. rs a
competitor for the presidency; 20 that the
information which ! received soon after my
return, OF the existence Of design 10 put
uc IN nomination for the office, and of the
extent u which IT prevailed IN certain parts
OF Virginia, Was much a surprise To tue, n,
II could possibly have been To any other per-
son whatever. The information, indeed, en-
barrassed and Disconnected me for III that
such nomination, # made aud persisted in,
would be a curb on my own free action IN
regard tn the election of successor 10 the
prc,cntChicf Magistrate IA which, 4 thought,
(and il was the first instance of the Kind in
which ever did think could take an Ell
Gent and useful part. The great OBJ iect I had
at heart, was, that some gentleman should TIE
selected a. a competitor for the Office, on
whom Eastern and Western virginia would
certainly unite, and who. at the same time,
would most probably be acceptable in other
States. II never occurred To me that was
that person, nor have yet seen any ey idc nee
that an. Hence the determination annoup-
ccd M my letter To Mr. -, TO hold NV self
Tree In S'ye my own support To any other
gentleman, whose election may think more
for the good of my country, and more feast.
blei aht II such competitor shall be brought
forward IN any part OF the uson, he shall
have my support ] think myself perfectly
capable of forming an impartial estimate OF
the claims Of Others, an comparison with nv
own, on the general confidence of the nation
and would most joyiuiiy surrender all the
hopes OF my ambition (n would, in truth, be
very trivial sacriiice,) for the attainment
oil the single object, the obiterating the geo
graphical division Of parties that at present
distracts abd enfcebles Virginia, aud Of re-
storing concord and co-Opc ration, once more
between thc East and the West.
You know that have never borne the least
part IN the affairs OF tho Federal government
but you cannot have known (what I assure
have not desired, much less sought, to have
any part IN them. Yet have taken the deep
est interest ia them, siways-an interest,
however, not excited by party spirit, or d.
reeted 10 party purposes; and have formed
opinions, more or less decided according To
my idea OF the importance Of particular mea-
-ures or principles, and 10 the reflection have
bestowed upon them. I certainly have new
er concealed those opinions; I have had no
motive, indeed, TO dlssemble them, and 1 am
u think addicted to habits of reserve. At
the same time, have rarely had occ aston 20
make an aNowai Of them. Therefore 4 ought
not 10 be, aud am not, surprised or moriiii-
cd to mud, that my political character - not
more generally understood than IT seems II IL:
ana that this circumstance - considered, and
already urged, as an objection To me a.
competitor for the Presidency. But Il II too
late n0tr, to make profession of NV politi-
cal principles. cannot do so, ia reference
10 hn nomination " me for The Preddsaey
without exposing myself TO the impuiation vi
eiectioneeriDg Tor the Office, and 10 the susp,-
cion of moulding my creed 10 suit t. pur-
poses OF my ambition a suspicion, 10y the
way, TO which the mode alton OF nv opinions
though attributable only 10 the absence OF
party feeling ~ the formation Of them, " ould
give colour. And &c, under existing ciTcum-
stances, ! should make n declaration Of nv
opinions on the political topics which at pre-
sent chiefly occupy and agit1te the public
mind. sucist declaration would ~ effect a.
mount 10 a pledge, 10 uLc party or another
for future official conduct ia case should be
elected " the Presidency aud, IN my opin-
ION, such pledges are incompatible with the
duties OF the office.
1t may be thought and perhaps Justly thot
that NJ Inc Of conduct ! have prescribed
for Myself, - wide of the road Of success
that passive silence, aud perfect inactivity, are
not steps 10y which any man can mount to the
Presidency. But am not acting with an,
view 10 promote ms election 10 that Office.
l.it with a view Of making myself useful ~
fc event OF nay being (contr3ry 90 NV eNrsc-
is'ions or hopes elevated - IT, 1 repeat
Nhai aid 10 my letter 10 NJ. ----, that
Jsiisrs that should have no desire Of that
high station, u could be made 10 tiink IL
~Hhin nay reach aud ana pate surs. that Il
4 we're attiinablr. bat only attaiuabie by an
effort 81 NY own, I would not make the ef-
fort would not have The Office. unir.. Il
should be conferred upon me by the general
APPRECIATION and confidence of my country -
! would not desire 70 any time ,unlc.s ! coaid be-
placed in u under such circumstances that 4
could be the President 81 The nation. IN AZ
foctious iu sentiment. ard "a conduct. and not
merely the President Of tlc party that should
elevate mc o. 1T would not desire %. in
these times. unless could be- free. when pis-
crd ln o.. tocNcrt %, iiir constitutional inln-
euce g. pct an ed 90 The a=,tttiop. ard a.
heal u.e unhappy dt'isiol-. which 10 present
distract the country. aod shake al our insti-
iltipus Co thcr very foundations This we're
glory indeed which should he ambitions
10 achieve but Heaven knows how litie
competent think m5.elf 60 accomplish a..
s1fgl sNu.fid v.f.h ADD a.. iffl. 49,.
am, therefor. 4 TIE oftG Of ne Pfe.t
deaf d thc United states
The commentary 81 severe friend -
better Than the embellishments II a sweet