Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1835-03-14
RICHARD II. BAPTIST, Esq.


SYCAMORE GREEN, 2lth February 1885.
GeaHemCa-f our letter of the 23d instant, requesting
TO furnish you with outline of the remarks sub.
United by me to portion of the good People of Meek
lenburg at our last Court has been received and for
Che kind manner in which you have thought proper TO
make this request, beg you to accept my thanks.
have not the ranity to think that any effort of mine
can probably be productive of the good which YOU are
pleased to indicate in your letter This doubtless is TO be
attributed more to your kind feelings towards me- than to
any merit which my effort that occasion is entitled TO-
w hatever may be reluctance TO a publication of INV
remarks, nevertheless yield ell scruplcs your So
ilcatlon and will endeavor to furnish you with out
line of my remarks, or indeed it will be but aa out
ine( ro'n sketch of the notes OF the beads of them,
aided by my memory
thank YOU gentlemen for the kindmanner in which
you have been pleased to express your appreciation
my course regards the part which have taken ia the
various political controversies of the day Next to
approving conscience to be valued te kind cxpres-
sion of the appreciation Of friends And by this evidence
OF it; have been than compensated for any SER
vices which may have been in my power render Such
as they are however, they have been rendered freely
ana under all ecuances, and on All proper occasions.
have exerted my efforts, however feeble and una ling
they may have been in sustaining those principles of the
Republican party, fonGly cherished by Vrgnia-as fire.
quenty recognised by her at subsequent periods her
political history, particularly in the celebrated Resou
tons and Report of % and 80 principles to which have
ever been constantly devoted And with the of
my sincere WISH that the influence of these principles
may be productive of beneficial results to the union
peace and happiness of the people, and honour well
fare, and prosperity of beloved country beg you
to accept assurances OF the entire respect and friendly
Your obedient serv't,
RICHARD II. BAPTIST.
To Col j. j. Finch, Capt. Thomas RuEes Mr. Harwood
b. Tucker, Mr.. Robert richardson Doct David G.
Smith, Capt. VIM N. Smith, and hIr. David Pettus
SKErcH in Substance IF the Re,aarLs of RicHAuD II.
BAPTIST, 10 me Peopic Of .NeckieHJUrg Fetrugry
Court, IN 18Th February. 1885.
1t affords much pleasure, Fellow Citizens of Meek
ienburg, to meet you the present occasion, and
avail myself Of this opportunity 10 redeem promise
made by at last Covrt, Of offering for your con-
sideration remarks ia relation 20 some Of the DO.
htcal occurrences which agiiae the country and the
ful6nent of this promise is rendered the more accepa-
bile TO me, from intimation which have had that it
the wish Of Of political friends hear those
remarks and perhaps this may be considered not only
proper but indeed necessary nj this time from the fact
that within the last mon ill., on the day of our late Srna
toria election and at our last Court the views large
OF woprOpncnt gentlemen Of the Opposition party were
presented to you apd rccccctng that of these zen
umen IS candidate ior your SURFACES the approaching
election for seat in the Virginia Legislature il is alike
the important and bounden duty the right and pri-
vege OF free, Independent patriotic and intelligent peo-
pie 10 canvass cey the claims ana scTutlnlze the pO-
cal opinions OF those who seek TO be their Representatives.
1t has never been my habit ellow-ctizcns in the hum
bic part which have taken land which, indeed had
undoubted right to take ia the political controversies
OF the day, TO indulge in opprobrous and reproachui
ePithcs towards any person have always thought it
more courteous tony opponents, and certainly
specuul to the people, never to allow general dcnunca-
ton, vitopcIaon and abuse, to assume the place of
reason and argument, by which means only, could
hope to attain the proper and Legitimate object of all pub
lie addresses that of addressing myself the iuduncnt
and understanding Of the people, and avoid those means
which would have tendency TO excite their prciudices
and infame their passions intend in my remarks on
this occasion to prescribe this line Of conduct to myself
design invdious nlusiOn to aBy gentleman Ger
tanly, in government Of equal laws and pryieges nd
which boasts ofthc freedom Of its institutions all have an
equal right TO their opinions aud free expression Of
them. For many gentlemen Of the Opposition party I
have entire respect and personal good feeling il Is az
politicians that object to them. As my political law.
gvers and advisers entirely opposed 10 hcm and
If difference Of political views and opinions shall seem
likely to be productive Of strife and dscord would say
to them in the language of Father Abraham 10 lot "ft
there be no strife between and thee; If you win go
10 the right hand will turn 10 the left; and If you will
60 10 the len hand, then will turn to the right
At no period perhaps, in the history of our Govern.
nent has there been greater Of anxiety and
socitude for the success Of those truly Democratic prin-
ciplcs upon which il was founded londly cherished.
zealOisly supported and constantly recognised by the
Republican party than the present tmehaving TO en-
countcra strange and Heterogeneous combination Of part
ingredients opposite ia eir character aud principles
the manners and customs Of the people or tie cnac
In which they reside from the wild and eravaoanf e nd
Of the disorganzng doctrine OF Modification ofbc South
to the friend Of The Hamiltonan consolidation eocfrne
OF the North, herces, alike repudiacd by the true Re.
publican party, az dangerous to the freedom liberty
Of the people the hand and tending violence
disuniou, and civil war, the othcr-Uncd alone for
the purpose Of waging political warfare against our
venerable Chief Magistrate, aud the supporters Of bis
praisewortby Administration, because he has had the
moral courage hrmness, energy, and decision TO exert
All his constitutional efforts to corrupt progress
and oounefaei tho injurious influence Of an institution