Daily Richmond Whig & public advertiser. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1833-1840, 1835-01-24
To tie Editors Of hc Wig.

| January 22d, 1885.
GenilemeI--ln the Enquirer Of this morning
twas induced 10 notice an article signed "a
voice from this MOuntanSn-not however from
the truth OF the remarks contained therein tb-
elegance and classical style of the compo>itinn
nut merely from the Singulartv of its cap,;pn
being intended for the exclusive benefit of only
lc'c Members of tie West. Whether OF moi. "A
| Voice from the Moun;anSn-hc il either malo
/ or female one has thought proper to honor SO
humble an individual aS myself with reference.
l am uncertain; yet, since the voice ana a most
soft and trcmulouS one II must be- as its commas
/ IS confined 10 tei- Of the very few Western
Members, has indirectly alluded to us all be-
leve II due 10 my constituents TO reply to some of
It's InSnuaiOns. The voice is good voice.
good, kind voice, and advises well; not in "the
spirit OF menace or dctatiOn, but in the language
OF aHiulneSS and duplcIty. Would ii be sacri-
IeSlouS TO raise the mantle in which the voice
/ appears enreloped and ascertain some of its
reiauOnSl Would 1t be prcSumptuous 10 en-
qnire II this benevolent voice be medately or i'm
nedIalely connected and identified with n few of
the Western Members, or even a few Of their
constituents, that II takes great an interest IN
their prosperity that II strains itself 10 so thrill
ing pitch 10 warn them Of their errors. and ex-
horiS them to "stand up boldly and resoluiely'--
and assumes, with regard 10 them, the modest
once OF amodern MentoTl Or MeSSrS. EditerS.
Is II The charity and philanthropy of the voice
Whlch induces II To use such strenuous exertions
10 reclaim wandering politicians from the error
81 iheir ways, and prevent few Of the Western
Members, who have not the same light and ex-
perience as this voice, TO guide their steps from
going aSiray7 This is all done too. by voice.
voI ct pretersa nihil, and in voice, MesSrS
Editors, which reached from the mountains TO
Tide water--"a voice from the Monnlains'-a
voice from our homcS-a voice from the scene of
every epdearing recollection. Surely, if this
does not reclaim us, we are irretrievably LOST
IL we are lnSenSiblc 10 the persuasive tones
OF the Mountain Voice, which, by the bye.
we nave never heard, we are undone But
haav 81.
The old proverb, "advice unaSkcd IS advice up-
needed" | am ever willing aad anxious to re-
ceive advice, when rendered with proper motive.
and IN proper manner; and when this be the
case, II shall always receive due respect and con-
sideration. But, must be led not driven. The
VIII u! my constituents, at all times and in all
situations, hold sacred and the Representative
who would, when satisfied of such will il matters
not IN what manner, act in violation thereof, I
deem unworthy Of public OF private confidence
but, there are often situations IN which Repre-
sentative IL necessarily obliged to form an opnoo
ior ms constituents, and this happens whenever
mere is novel question agitated, one con-
corning which they have no information or have
formed no opioion. On occaionS like this shall
always act IN accordance with my own ideas Of
rec itnde and propriety, at the same time having
proper regard 10 the interest and probable wishes
oi my conStitucn Is. In no vote which have gi.
ven, during the present session Of the LegisIn
lure, have been governed by political motives
or interested designs; but in every vote, | have
been aciuated by the dictates of = conscience
which has ever prompted me 10 act in confortni,,
To my own idea of right and wrong | am
proud, MeSSrs. Editors of eveTy vote which I
nave gwen, and on similar occasions II will af-
ford me great pleasure to give the same onsS.
lhey are votes which am satisfied my cosSti-
tuenlS would have given-thcy are votes in whi,h
they would sustain me, and they are votes. the
CORRECTNESS of which ] can and will maintain in
despite Voice from the Mountains, or even n
Voice from the Plains. believe my constituents
In p hot, \ IL
and IN the honesty Of my heart, fear not to en-
lei the lists againSt the most formidable who
would step between my constituents and myself
Tor ihe'PurPoSc Of condemning my votes repeat
AGAIN MesSrS. Editors, that a Representative,
whether directly instructed or not is in my opi.
mon, bound to advocate and forward the wishes
OF his constituents, OF majority Of them; and this
] have always done and shall ever do. so long as
am honored with Representative seat. As
western member | stand uninstructed uncom
united aud unpcdged; vet the wishes Of 9io.
rliy Of my constituents are known TO me and
shall be respected.
The insinua,ion of the Western Members be-
ing "caJoled, duped, and operated upon nv the
syren tongue, and the fallacious ratiocina-
uon OF any Il suppose he means Some) practi-
cal ingenious counsellor" IS unworthy of con
tradiciol yet, hopeh will not be loo much
honoured. when assert that II is as false Is it is
maliciouS-aS malicious a. unmeTited But on
another ground, might not a few sf the Western
Members, who IL seems have not diScretien
enough Ia conduct themselves. but are "opet,teJ
'uTonhy ingenious councillors" might they NOT
as well be lead to destruction by the "svren
tongue of fallacious raiiocinaiion" as 10 be nm.
INFLATED by VOICE even frem the Mountains.
and captured by pompouS array Of high sound
ing words and the, tedious prolixiiy of John
Sonian esSayl The voice wishes TO free ms paor
W"iern Members from the dominion of the
'CounSellor,' but at the same lime he anpeves n
condition rs is generally done by conoucrors.
INA, We become his political bondsmen Tor one.
"a" sooner languSh in unconscious slavery than
flourish as the avowed tool Of successful parry.
elevation. N'''"P'
have addressed you Messrs Editors, for the
purpose OF indicating my conduct and motives
Io'A INC impuiaiion and aSpctSiun to which they
areSuhJscted hy the publication alluded to- III
nave misc OnSirucd the intention cvidcntly 10 my
mind, designed thereby must and de solicit the
authors pardon for my mistake; and hone thar
when the Western Members are fovoured with
communication from him. he will couch his
IDEAS IN more explicit terms and adapt them. TO
inc obtuSe Understandings Of those whom he n
dfueiS. Respectfully,
JAMES CALDWELL.