Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1839-09-19

tion. lie gentleman whom you intend Ia eempll.
ment, Is distinguished cor his talents ~ well as his
public aud private virtues. and has been q LEADING
aud distinguished member OF that parry, which, iron,
n very early period of our history. I'LL very recently.
was know as The " Republican" IN coniradistinciiun
10 The FtacraE party, based entirely unon lun1a
mental principles OF constitutional doctrine. Yet.
without The slightest deviation from those iunla
mental principles. which lr learned IN The school of
Jefferson and Madison. aud Tor Tho maintenance of
which he WAS eminenty distinguished, he is now de-
nouneed by The mlnions OF power. and the instru
ments of party. us as a Felefdlist, an unprlneipled
traitor, and base dtSefer from his party. Aud all
tins lof his opposition TO u system OF measures. which
his very accuscis, four Years ago, velemcnily de-
nonnced rs traught with The most imminent danger,
not only 10 our free institutions aud the prosperity
of the country, but To liberty itself. llew an en
lightencd, n Just, and a vlituous people have sub
mitted 10 tins bold, viii not say l%mpndcnt. attempt,
TO gull aud deceive DION in relation 10 this gentle
man, Is not only the wonder Of he present, but sil
be the marvel ol all time 10 come, # freedom shall
endure.
In The ooutsc wlic, Mr.. Rivcs Iclt ii his duty to
pursue on the floor of the Senate. and which threw
him into collision with the present ADMINISTRATION
he has moi uttered n single doctrine, opposed , single
measure, ~ done u single act. which Is not In siiict
accordance with every principle of republican EnA.
and The sentiments IF Il large majority Of NE peapie he
represented. Yet with his acknowledged abilities.
his undoubtcd qualifications, and his adherence 10
his principles. aud obedience IN the opinions al his
constituents, he fluids himself expelled from one lead
ing party, aud rejected by the other. Why. rael,
patty demands, not what principles he maintains,
what measures OF policy he will sustain. but which
OF two men he will sustain for Tho Presidency. lie
is not allowed the poor privilege OF choosine Tor him
self, but each party demands that he sli II sustain
IT'S peculiar hvoiiis, OF II turns it's backs upon him.
The out party determines that Mr.. Van IIuIen shall
be expelled, aud that II is the duly Of all who are op-
posed to him, 10 vote for any man, even the Devil,
Ia nIlsf linn Va a., p.xt. AN - ,.at a.l ~, nh.
to keep in Mr.. Van Buren, but 10 keep out Mr.. Clay,
they think that good republicans are NOT only
bound to sustain MI. Van Buren,, however great and
dangerous his errors, hut any body. however ohiec-
lionable, IN preference To Mr.. CLAY aud thus Nh.
Rlves. although possessed OF every qualification, and
the soundest aud most orthodox scnti-
ments, is TO be slaughtered between these two gen
llenen, each oi whom maintains leading doctrines
to a great majority otlhe American PEG
pie. Ihlsis tfnly anomalous among n people boast
ing OF then Intelligence and then yirtue.
| utterly ,%cpudlale and deny the IullI oi the doc
Iriue, that in the Presidential question is absorbed
all others. Such = doctrine will lead directly IN
faction, that bane oI all free governments. WIler-
ever principle Is graduated 10 men, and not men to
principle, every struggle Ior tho Ttcsid ncy will be
one between the chiefs Of prevailing and opposing
factions, looking entl,ely To success. without the
regard 10 the principles which they MAN
lam, or the measures oi policy winch thcy viii cafry
the practical administration of the Government.
In such a struggle who does not see that liberty and
Zee institutions viii be entirely ovrrthrown and cruel
lespotism rise mp IA lheIr place ! | maintain Ihai it
Is all important to the success OF ON institutions filal
we should FIRST regard P}iHciples, aud control our nc-
lion entirely by them. The elections 10 the Senate
md House OF Representatives are %iufrilcly more IN
poftant than that Of the President; for with an en-
ighiened, a viftuous aud a sound Senate and House
Of Representatives, however corrupt and ambitious
he Executive may be, there Is an lmptcgnabie bar
ficr between the liberty aud prosperity of the people,
md the power aud influence oftbe executive
But with an ignorant, a CORRUPT and u SHbSergient
Senate and House OF Representatives, there is not
no defence TO The people against the usurpa.
ion and tyranny OF the Executive, but the very gates
IF the citadel are thrown open. aud m entrance made
Easy. YET MI. Rivcs, who, from his principles, his
qualifications and his firmness. would be a wise le-
gisl,tor, and a safe depository of liberty, is to be ga
crifced to this presidential question. trust that
he honest and the patriotic OF all parties, who Lave
sspoused this doctrine, will not only review, but re
tract il, and save the country from the incalculable
mischieis which IL will produce. For myself
know nothing OF men. nor will know sny thing Of
hem, only so far as they may DO The chosen instru-
lnents Of the people. TO perform the functions OF Go
pernment, and secure the liberty and happiness ofthe
people. | will always sustain them for their pfinci-
never for themselves.
One of the peculiar characteristics OF the times,
aud one, too, not slightly indicative offs de generacy,
is, that doctrines, which IN The palmy days Of The
republic were REGARDED as truly republican,, are now
as outrageously federal, and men who
were the leaders of detestable Hartford Convention
are now the most vehement and ouhn-
iox republicans, while many good old republicans.
who never uttered or brealhed an an,i.fepnblIcan sen
timent, in their lives, are cast out as eyIl-as odious
The only true standard of republican
faith now, is The support of the present administra-
II you are willing TO swallow all IT'S errors.
and sink or swim with this administration, II matters
not what doctrines you maintaln-howcvcr befctiedi,
YOU are a sound republican. IL you oppose il, al
though in a single measure, however sound and or
lhodox your opinions may be, you are a /" federal
This is a most deplorable state Of public o.
The extraordinary perseverance with which the
President clings to his favoriie sub-trcasnry project
the extraordinary vindictiyeneas with which lis
opponents are hunted down, and the more lhan ex-
means which are employed to promote
its success, demands at the hands of It's opponents,
the most vigorous, the most untiring. aud the most
unwavering misunderstanding else viii save the
country f,om ITS establishment.
The extraordinary doctrine Of the day. that, from
considerations Of panty alone, it Is our duty 10 con
fine our resistance to this odious measure, 10 e0rdS
alone, while we give its advocates an ardent and I'M
qualified support, is a most dangerous leresy, aud
tends directly to monarchy. The pretexl by which
il is justified, that opposition To its lliends VIII lead
TO the support Of other obnoxious principles and
measures, is contemplate. cannot perceive why
a statesman cannot resist one set of obnoxious inca
sures as well as another, and why an issue should
be made between measures, both Of winch are dan
perous To free institutions, hostile to the rights OF
the States, and ~blighting 10 the prosperity ofihe
country. For my part, ] am determined, as Ear as
nv humble efforts can succeed, TO resist both. |
will not permit such odious and detestible doctrines
10 be crammed down my throat, and such false
issues to he made for me. ] will ny and do my du-
10 m the couniry. and leave party TO take care OF IL