Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1839-07-02
nrMAaks q rnE RIcnMoND WIG

70 Aessrs. Comm, Patterson, &c.
REMARKS OF THE RICHMOND WIG.
We Yesterday published the toasts and
sketch Of Mr.. RNcs' speech at Amherst
Court House, and follow il uplhls morning
with the letters ofvarious invited gentle |
men who could not attend. All the letters |
arc Of much interest, that of Mr.. Leigh |
particularly, which reflects the man n-tliat |
simplicity of character, sincerity and plain
dealing, which even more than his great
talents, throw lustre upon him. Sacrificed
as he was in 1885, 10 advance Mr.. Riyes,
his magnanimily IN coming forward and
commencing the latter for the recent in.
stances Of his patriot Independence in the
resistance Of Executive assumption and
party despotism, is rare and honorable, but
only what might have been expected of
him. Nor can we blame Mr.. Leigh for
recurring to know Nh. Rivcs' future course,
before he commits himself to his farther
support. Upon This point the Vhginian,
in a commentary on Mr.. Lcigh's letter,
remarks:
Mr.. Leigh takes views not very dis
similar to those Of Gov. Harbour, though
he is not prepared to sustain Mr.. Rives
while that gentleman remains unconlmit-
led ON the Presidential election. Our own
views as to the absorbing Importance. Of
that election, are equally as decisive as
those Of Mr.. Leigh; but we do not deem
it of SO much Importance as he does, that
Mr.. Rves should, in tie present stage of
the controversy, commit himself unqGalifi-
edly upon that question, unless, indeod, he
has made up defnitive opnion-in which
event, certainly,we can perceive no valid
objection to an open avowal of his prefer
encc. We do not doubt, indeed, that such
an avowal, if Mr.. Rives were prepared 10
make it, would add greatlyto the moral
force of his POSITION, and lend to the AL
vancement of those just principles of gov
crnment, for his manly and intrepid de-
fence Of which tho AdministrI' ion has let
loose upon him the dogs of war. But
aciihom such avowal, how can il be doubted
i'm contest involving such mighty princi.
pies, where Mr.. Rives will be found Be.
ievug, as he does, that the principal meas
ures of the Administration will aim a fatal
blow both at the prosperity and at the h6-
erfv Of the country-and moreover, beliey.
ing that the means employed to force this
measure upon a reluctant country, through
the combined influence Of Executive pat.
ronagc and party discipline, are subyer-
siye Of the fundamental principles Of our
free institutions, and will, if successful
change the whole form and structure -four
government, annhilating the Independence
of the Legislative Department, and consol-
lidating all power in the hands ofthe Pres
ident--we say, believing this, il cannot for
amoment be supposed that Mr.. Rives will
contribute to the support Of such measures
and doctrine, either by directly aiding in
the reelection of MIR. Van Buren,, or .bv
indirectly contributing to the same result
by passive, and, under such circumstan..
ccs, a not less Objectionable neutrality
Selfdefence will require him TO do battle
in behalf of the original principles ofthe
Constitution, thus coyertly and powerfully
assailcd, and, from the force of the power
ful Combination arrayed against them, in
imminent danger Of subvcrsion-for, if the
Administration is. successful in this strup.
gle, then, in the emphatic language of Gov.
Barbour, there is no longer any thing left
worth contending for"
We hold il to be very improbable that
Mr.. Rves should not have made IN q de.
finite opinion as to his future course. We
have. never doubted for moment--we do
not now doubt--what that course must and
will be. But there are those who feel OIL
ielgn doubts, and whose cavilling is color.
abbey sustained by his omission to vote al
the Albemarle election. A statesman O
Mr.. Rives' abilities and sagacty, cannot
expect to organize athird party'in the pres
ent circumstances. of the country. Tho
position Of neutrality must be abandoned
Of necessity, as indefensible. The slaugh
ter Of the Conservatives of the last Legs
lature, shows that the post is untenabl
and liable to be raked by the guns of bot
great conflicting parties. fany futur
attempt may be successful at re cast an
reorganization Of political parties in thi
country, the time for making It has nc
come. Party passions are too much en-
crossed and nhamed by the approachh
Presidential election TO hear Of any thlr
party being formed without immediate re
ference to that event. The wings believ
it their first duty to the country TO cviC
from power the prohigate Administratio
which has so scandalously abused it. Th
= Administration seem equally resolved
"sink or swim" with Mr.. Van Burcl
without reference to any thing else. RI
cruits to a third party can be expected frol
the ranks Of neither Of the great existir
and contending parties. The attempt
form third party, while it must be a sil
nal and even ridiculous failure, will infal
bly, expose It's authors to the reproach
being walters upon Providence, and d
prive them Of the confidence of both.
all men, the Conservatives, with their c
pressed adherence of the measures
the Administration, the victims of IFS de
potic party intolerance, the martyrs Of Il
Globe and lis affiliated organs, seem ]
quifed by public duty and personal respe
to take the most decisive and active pa
in terminating its baleful and hateful c
reer ! and now, too, is the time to strike
PARADoxEs.- Mr.Van .Buren was
gainst the South on the Missouri questio
which may be regarded as the incipie
stage ofthe Abolition fever and he is c,
led Northern man with Southern fe,
l.. 4