Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1839-06-18
v n LEIGH.

The following letter from Mr.. Leigh was writ
ten in reply to an invitation to attend a compliment
tsry dinner 10 Mr. Rives, at Amherst Courthouse.
Richm md, May l6, 1889.
Gentlemen. Your letter Of the 10Th inst. in
viting me to a public dinnef to be given a, the Hon.
William c. Rives', at Amhers, Courthouse, on the
ooh. has been DELAYED on the road | did not re-
eeive IL TIL yesterday.
thank you for the polite terms 10 which you
have communicated the invitation. Business which
requires nv constant attention at home would have
prevented me from avsiling myself Of 1t, IT II had
been received 10 lime. But csndor compels me 10
add. that that would no, have been the only, or in-
deed the principle reason " hich would have Undue
ed me to decline II.
have seen much Of Mr.. Rives' recent conduc,
10 respect aud approve. am most DESTROYS to
ace every mau sustained sgainst The despotism of
marty. welded by the patronage Of the Executive,
winch sllo vs. no indepe ,dcnce of thought, or &C.
ton. and which, sher having destroyed so many
uublic men, is row levelled against Mr.. Rives IN
hs turn. with It's usual roihlessoess of vengeance.
And s0er having seen the Senate Of the United
Ststss humblea and degraded at the Pfesident's
fee, BY the Expunging Resolution, and its inau
ence in a manner struck out Of our political system
II has afforded one particular pleasure to sec Mr.. X.
asserting and maintaining, in that body. his own
lndAnan1enCR u III IAt1ditfS So'Nftg Wv "a . Wv Edbt
time the independence. the dignity, and the just
authority Of the body itself. Such conduct ought
To redeem him from The blame Of many former ef.
,o,s and faults. am even disposed TO admit IL
sssrauial atonment for his concurrence in the
Espuneinp Resolution. lie Is now an object OF
persecution to the faction whose baleful power he
has contributed 10 establish and ] am really happy
10 nee public honors bestowed upon him by other,
who take a different view from mine Of the present
state of politics. Bat so long as Mr.. Rives hold,
himself wholly ~uncommiied on the subject Of iht
presidential election, ! cannot, in honor and con
seieoce. commit myself To the support Of Mr. X
At the same time I am aware that my support, o.
o~poos,tion 10 utterly insignificant and inconsequen
tsl to him snd every body else bot myself
While the doctrine stands admitted, that III,
Presiden, is entitled BY the Constitution to III,
custody Of The public treasure, II is 10 my hombl
op,n,on. a question Of comparative insighihcance
whether the system Of sub treasures, or the Sc
lee, state bank system, with general or special dc
posites, or any other sebemn for keeping the publ
ires.ure, which the wisdom Of the Legislature Q
the ineeooity Of the Executive can devise. shall b
sdou,ed for in effect. the ensiody Of the publ
money will slill be 10 the President slone. II
The doctrine itself. which 1t behooyes The peopl
10 explode and ~eondemn. 90 the most false. ib
moe, impudent. and The mosl dangerous Of a
LhtSNltt p'tAthHfo'Ns
regard the presidential election rs in truth III
oaly important question. The great question of nj
tionsl interest, which inyolyes and sbsofbs oil OFT
ere, in The ,tesen, I~uuc,ure OF saairs. Nothing
ia nv sense Of ihipgs, can stop, or even check u
transition 81 the federal government into q neI
elective monarchy. and the monarchy elecli'
throaeh the ins,runen,slhy VI The most ~mslighsr
i:a.,on ADD The foeles, eorop,ioa. BOT the d'srni
,iun Of our presen, rulers from the public eeanc'
snd confidence forever ; roiers I cali them, ior th'
are our masters 10 Tact. whatsoever they onghi
be ia theory and bard masters too ~ho msinis
and pay the sray Of Psrissns on which ihey G
psrd for poser. by openly and ssowed'y eeahi
coz the honors ADD emolumeHts Of ONCE. ~iiho
The least rsg-rd TO any neni but party real q
party services. 10 one Instance OF least fAnd
believe 10 many morel 40 officer. shet having .
esissd aud appropriated pubic money TO hs OF
zee. hss bees koo~ningly permitted 10 retain
oees. and 10 ENJOY he sPoi.s. IN order 10 SECT
us eoansesnee Of he e~a and hs fneads s0PP'
Il he AsRsastrssisr and he Cssiasi Mast