Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1839-01-15
SENATOR WM. C. RlvEs.


SENATOR WM. C. RlVES.
Mr.. Rives, in late speech in the Senate,
came out in direct hostility to Mr.. Van Buren,.
ANY doubt which existed as to the course
he would persue, is now set at rest, by the
manly and noble stand he has taken along side
Senator TALLMADGE, in "uncompromising
hostility to the present Administration" and
were it not that he had voted for the infamous
Expunging Resolution, no Statesman in the
country would stand higher in our estima-
ton. The following remarks from the Bal
timore Chronicle, embody our opinion Of Mr..
Rives -" Mr.. Rives' course as public man,
although liable to strong exceptions, has usu-
ally been characterized by great fairness and
candor. His opinions have been generally
avowed, without reserve, and, however erro-
neous they may have been, he has never been
suspected of insincerity. We admired the
frank and manly manner in which he yielded
to the instructions Of the Legislature, at the
time he resigned his seat in the Senate In his
recent abandonment of the Administration,
Mr.. Rives has displayed the same bold and
decisive spirit which has always characterized
him, and his manner Of avOwing his opposition
to the measures of the party in power has been
calculated to enhance, very greatly, the high
estimate already entertained by the country.
of his talents and eloquence. The Globe,
which has only refrained from assailing him,
under the hope that he nj light be induced to
spare the party, viii now, no doubt, feel itself
at liberty to distinguish him with the same I'M
wearied denunciation, which has always given
so many of the objects of its abuse mdefeasi-
bic claims to the confidence and good opinion
of the nation. Mr.. Rives, in the perfect con-
seriousness that the moral sense of the real
people of the Union upholds him in the course
he has taken, viii find ample consolation, not
only for the absence Of the approving language
of that paper, but for the withdrawal Of those
marks of Executive favor, which sycophancy
would secure, but which manly independence
is sure to banish.''
The Globe has commenced condemning
Mr.. Rives, and soon he viii have the whole
kennel of Government ours in full cry at his
heels. The Globe thus commences the war
fare:
1.-THE Opposition lctter.writers have
given out, week since, that Mr.. RIvES
was preparing to make decisive demon.
stratiOn against the administration. The
prophecy was verified to-day. Mr.. Rives
not only took the charge of opening and
directing the batteries Of the enemy on the
administration, but gave pledge of his
earnest, and, as Mr.. rallmadge would OK
press it, incorporating hostility to
Martin Van Buren, by the most direct at.
tacks on the President himself Mr.. Rives
has greatly relieved many worthy friends,
by this act, from the doubts in which they
were involved, by his declarations that he
only differed from his republican brethren
on a single measure. He has now not
only joined the opposition heartily, but is
put in front of their battle. Mr.. Claws
colleague, Mr.. Crittenden, was prompt to
follow and sustain Mr.. RiVes defended
his consistency; vouched for his patriot.
ism; and, while he justified all his inve c.
tlyes, with characteristic humer, soitened
the philippe of his too eager ally, by
throwing little pleasant sarcasm into the
debate. There was perfect understand
ing between these gentlemen as to the re.
spectiye parts they were to enact; for we
observed that Mr.. Crittenden, without
naming the passage he wished to consult
in the voluminous report of the Secretary
of the Treasury, and without being able
TO find it, was promptly furnished with the
document opened for him at the page, by
Mr.. Rives. This, we imagine, was con.
ned over at the halfway house, before the
companions took up their journey together
for the place Of common destination"