The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-06-30
From The Alexandria Gazette.
HON. VIM. C. RIVES.

The Loco-focos and Wings, both, appear to enter
tain the prospect Of Mr. Rives' defeat next winter
and modification to him /; thereby inducing the inn
preston that he is extremely solicious for the
tion which he now fills with so much honor to him
self and credit 70 his State Ill is due to Mr. Rives,
that this impression should be corrected BY those who
are familiarwiih his sentiments the subject and
II he should, perchance, cross this communication
when il meets the public eye, he win, ] hope, ari-
butte il to no disposition on the part Of its author to
betray confidence, and repeat private conversations
Long before the result Of the elections, in Virgil
MIA could possibly have been anticipated, Mr. Rives
expressed himself to few confident friends, in the
most free and unreserved manner, In regard TO his
position before the country and declared his deter
minaion TO resign his seat in the Senate urging
that his taste and inclination, for public life, had be-
come blunted and that he felt that the quiet and
calm OF retirement were growing every day more
congenal with his own wishes, and those of his IA
mily. Against this determination, his friends re-
monstrated in decided terms and told him that these
were not times for private considerations that he
was regarded the only sure check, to the abuses
of Governments and relied upon, as he was, 10 cor
rect the arrangements in the currency, he must not
abandon his post before his work was accomplished
Mr.. Rves yielded to the opportunities OF his friends
and sacrificed his personal inclnations and private
interests upon the altar OF his country.
A gentleman Of Mr.. Rives' refined feelings, and
high sense of honor, may have found an additional
indncement 70 the step he was about to take,
one hand that he was shaping his course so as 10
win the support OF the Wings; and on the other that
his movements were regulated with an eye to his
old stake with his, once Republican friends No
man who knows MIR. Rand is capable Of doing him
justice, could for moment, impue TO him such
unworthy molives-those who are ignorant Of his
character, should be slow to propagate such harsh
injustice on his conduct These scandals spring
from motives which, If properly understood, would
attach dishonor and disgrace upon the parties who
originate and prompt them. Political hostility
should be thing, personal luminosity another. Let
the Wings Of Virginia. and elsewhere, pause, be-
fore they receive as authority the impress which,
their organ here, is attempting to make upon this
gentleman Let them reflect upon its inconsistent
cy In utering the thunders Of its wrath against Mr.
r. for his opposition 10 the Subtreasnry scheme, in
the same column that it denounces that measure Of
the Government My knowledge OF Mr.. Rives'
character authorizes the opinion that If there is pu-
rity of motive honesty of purpose, and love of coun
try, influencing the actions Of any public man, that
man is VIM. c. Riyes. If other motives had been
operating upon him. 1.-THE rewards Of Office could
have swerved him from what he believed be his
ty 10 his country, Mr.. R. would have been, now,
found plan, ,Sol ~ The hands Of Executive iaau-
dividual advancement and party distinction dis
charged his high trust with steady aim, and sin
gleness of purpose which patriotism alone could
prompt
The high crime Of which Mr. Rives stands charged
before the country, by rhat is called the Democratic
party is, his unwlingness unite in promoting prn-
cples and measures, against which, he has been FORE
in opposing, for the last ten years and which he
with prophetic TRUTH pronounced, in their inception,
| ruinous to the country.
The offence to be atoned for, before the Wings is
that he voted for the expungng resolution And this is
alleged pretext, sufficient TO overlook the services
Of useful life and consign him to the shades OF retire.
ment If Rives believed this resolution consti-
tutiona (and presume no man, who regards his own
character will be unchartable as to say he did no
al 49, L.
s,ructons imposed him He, therefore, obeyed them
without hesitation; and whatever might have been his
private opinions, If left to himself the preferable
mode Of proceeding, he will Of say nothing Of
them lest it be construed into endeavor to de-
precate the wrath Of the Wings and obtain their for
giveness. Nothing, | know, will ever make Mr.. R.
stoop such act Of degradation He values his self
respect, sprngng from consciousness opure motives
and the esteem Of those who appreciate his actions far
beyond any office they confer. Mr. Rves knows
there are high minded and honorable of both par.
ies who do not indulge in the Liberal feeling have
spoken of; their cool opinion, am sure he is proud
Of; and will always maintain BY manly and indepen-
dent discharge Of the duties confded to him.
If the Wings Of Virginia are, really, struggling for
principles and not party, and party men, they will be
cautious how they prescribe virtue honesty, patriotism,
and ability No man will deny that Mr. Rives is repre-
senting efficiently and fully the wishes Of his State We
must also do him the justice to say that bl for the sig
nal ability with which he has recently discharged that
duty, and his Independent determination to shake OF the
shackes of party, Of the most odious systems Of OPP
preston, which the fend spirit Of man could devise,
would now, have been fastened on the country the
Law Of the Give evidence Of your sincerity for
the Constitution and the Laws Of your Country by sup
porting Mr. r. in the high and noble stand he has taken
against the abuses Of Government and you concilate
thousands whose union with you, will, alone enable you
to correct those abuses denounce him, and you drive
from your ranks scores Of honest who willing
to unite with you on principle.
Respectfully, &c.
King George Co., Va, June 90, 1888.
We extract the following jeud'espril from the BoS