The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1835-06-10
BALTIMOLE CONVENTION
RIVES AND JOHNSON.

The selection of the candidate for The Vice Presi
dency, was a matter of very deep solicude among
the members of he Convention. Mr. RiUeS was
presented by the numerous and most respectable
delegation from Virginia; and his very high quail
fcaons and claims were urged with great warmth
and anxiety. There was not, we believe, single
menbcr of the Convention who did not fully APP
precatc his great worth. Not one unwilling TO
admit his qualification for the Vice Presidency on
the contrary, all conceded, that the elevation of his
mind, bis pure republican principles, and his high
attainments, rendered him every worthy of the
first honor of the Republic. The determination of
the Convention turned upon the consideration of the
peculiar relation which the two prominent indyid
uals presented to the Convention, at this moment
bore to the country.
The principal circumstances which operated on
the majority in giving preference to Col. Johnson
over Mr.. Riycs, were the following.
1t was urged, that Mr.. Rives was comparatively
la young man-hat his career of active usefulness
was but fairly commenced in the Senate, when, III
violation of the public will of Virginia, he recall
ed by coalition Of macontents in the Legislature,
who acred without consulting their constltuens-that
the election of Mr.. Leigh, by subsequently elected
Legislature in direct violation of written Instructions
which had made the issue between them, on which
the late Virginia election stunned, rendered proper
that Mr.. Ryes should maintain his posture before
his State, and enable the people to assert their
authority, and yndicate the light Of instruction in
whose case it had been 50 egreglously violated
that in reserving Mr. Riyes to achieve this great
victory Of principle in his native State, higher hon
ors awaited him than would be conferred by cali
ing him TO the honorary dignity Of the Vice Presi-
dency. II was insisted that when restored by the
voice of Virginia to the Senate, from which he had
been 0straeised by the foul and dishonest inrigues
Of the factous Nuiers, snd Nationals his lofty
principles, has admirable cloquence, and the moral
the cause Of republicansm, would put him at once
at the head of the Senate from which he had been
cxed and cnabedhim render still greater services to
The cause and endear himself still to the great
democracy of the Union, which would ultimately
lead to the distinction for which alone the Vice Pres
dency could be held by his friends, an object worthy
his acceptance
The considerations which influenced the decision
in favor of Col. Johnson his 80 years service
in support of the Democratic party-the devotion
he had manifested Throughout all this period, not
only in behalf of popular rights but by unwearled
and dsncrestcd attention to the private interests of
the poorest citizens ofeycry State in the Union, who
had claims upon his Governmcnt--thc ardent pa
triotism and noble gaantry which had distinguished
him in the field of battle where he had received
those wounds that now, in the close life, began to
bleed afrcsh, and which may too deprive the
nation of an opportunity 70 mark by its suragcs its
grateful sense of obligation 10 a veteran whose uE-
bounded benevolence aud patriotism, has made bis
life one of untiring labor, of repeated sacrifices, and
on one occasion, almost of self immolation his
country Washington Globe.