The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-07-10
From "A, WIneleaie, ReDu,i;ca, y VI,

amazemeni, but as being altogether indelen-
sible. vi all the public men la Virginia WIN
have for years past figured in her political
history. there i M one WIN has come in for
larger share OF the laudaiions OF the Rich
mond Enquirer than MIR. Riyes. Ills exalted
talenis-hs eminent public sefyices--his de-
volion to what Mr.. Richie has been pleased
10 d~nominate the ancient aud approved prin-
clples OF The Republican party OF Virginia
his disinieresled patriolisn--and the unsul-
lied purity OF his personal characler-have
all constituted themes upon which his quon-
dan irenl Of the Enquirer has, until re-
cent period, been accustomed 10 dwell with
enthusiastic delight. But, ala "a change
has come DER the spir If his dream" and
all MIR. Riyes' past services and private worth
have not been sufficient, in the eslm ,ii,n OF
Mr.. Richie. When weighed in the balance
against the ddmuIng Of differing with Mar
tin Van Buren, aud Amos Kendall on the Sub
Treasury qn3sI N - hol .h ba k.i in that
difference by The previous concurrence Of
Mr. Richie himsei--to save him from the
angry revilings and bitter denunciation Of his
former freud. Whatever else may be said
all must admit that the coarse of Mr.. Rivos
1 upon This financial scheme. signally r.pu-
dated by the whole administration parivi IN
1874 and '35, when ushered forth under Null
iiiicatlon auspices, has been straight forward,
firm, aud consistent. lie AGREED with Tie
purity then. In passing ssnierce Of con ieinna-
ton npon Il and subsequently, near the close
Of General Jackson's second term III 1887,
when Mr. Rnes' bill repeating the celebrated
Specie Circular received the sanction Of four
fllhs of the Senate and an overwhelming ma
lnrity Of the House of Representatives. his
course was so highly approved Of by the 81.
mon Pnres OF the party in and ont Of the Le-
gl>lature al Richmond, that they testified their
appreciation by awarding him the honors Of
pu He dlnncr in which Richie, Roam. and
Randolph, and the other party leaders cor
daily united. and at which Mr.. Senator
Rnane, who had been recently elected to the
senate. promised "to hold the nail while Mr..
Rlves should drive it," So lar 5, good But
III a short six months thereafter, when the very
Sub-Treasury scheme which they had all 'ic-
nn,nced as " revolutionary disorganzmg-
subversve Of the fundamental principles Of
the gosernmenl-as uniting IN, purse and
the sword-and as designed TO put in the Pre-
sident's hands the means of corruption" DC.
&C., is recommended by President Van Blu
rem. where do we find Tie party? Nine
trnths of them eating their own words
swearing that the sub Treasury scheme IS The
quin,esence or Democracy, and prnclalmng
war TO The knife against the remaining tenth
| who continued 70 stand out In opposition Tot!
! Oh, Democratic CONSISTENCY, thou art in ruth
a very Jewel Mr.. Rives was one Of the
recu,ants Who adhered to his former OPT
mons, and refused to abandon them at the
bidding Of Kendall 81 Co, and forthwith the
! artillery OF the party was turned upon him.
and every means which knavery could devise
or put into execution, were empl wed IL
hlacken his public character, and deprive him
of The confidence of his counir, men.
Against the Sub-treasury scheme one
has been more deeply committed that Mr.
Ritchle. lie had taken ground against il as
strong and decided as the Globe itself; and
even after The mass ot the party had. as in
/ duty bound, surrendered their Objections when
| Mr. Van Buren, recommended it, Mr. Richie
| continued Tor tine carry on the war
aginst IL with vig,r, and to encourage aud
sustain MIR. Rlres III his efforts to prevent lis
adoption. The party screws. however be-
gan to he turnel--wthdrawal Of prronage
WIS., talked "f, and in part observation-disclosures
STATIONS were made towards the establish
me"t Of another ''orga,," al Richmond-aud
it soon became manifest that these appliances
were u,bracng The old gan,lemin's resoln-
ton. aud that he would IN due Time be brought
10 his marrow bones bat no oie venurei TO
predict that he day was SO near at hand as
subsequent events proved il to be, when this
sworn enemy OF the Sub treasury would not
only lorswear his "ppos lion TO 1t. but would
turn Statr's euidenc", and pursue with relen'-
l.. r. l,ttl .,.,,l,,
their political fortunes with him in the same
vessel. and who had stood by so thing aud
sustaining him il his troubles, and defending
him against the fierce assault, of the Loco
foco leaders Opposed, hlnselt, I" the Sub
treasury, denounced, threatened, anl pun
ishcd lur that opposition by thnse who had
been but a brlei space before as open IN their
opposition to it as he was himself, he turns
an ticks the foot that had just spurned him
from their presence and To make himself the
more acceptable in their sight and secure
renewal oi their favor. he directs his most
envenomed slaIJs al the bosons ol the very
friends who had IN lde common cause with
him at his utmost need! Mr. Richie knows
as wei as any man. that from the instant il
was ascertained that Mr.. Rvss was resolved
to maintain the dignity and Independence OF
his personal and Official Oh lracter by persist
Ing in his opposition to the financial llnke ring
of the Executive and by refusing to p osrale
himself al The ioolstoul Of power, from that
instant was his downfall decreed by It's wor.
shippers. He saw, too that the Enquirer
was fast sinking IN the estimation o The
power party by lis concurrence in Mr. Rlves
views, and that nuthng but prompt move
ment and rapid Countermarth upon ITS own
ground, could restore it 10 favor. uniortu-
nately fnr Mr. Ritchie's reputation, aud his
,ouniry's welfare, his fears proved stronger
than his principles, and the re'rograde move
ment commenced For time, however,