Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1839-05-27
THE LETTERS

The space occupied by The Letters Of Messls
Barbour, Leigh, Pendleton, &c. TO the committee
OF invitation, al the dinner gwen 10 Mr.. Riyes a few
days ago in Amherst. " shoves us from our stool to-
day. Our readers, however, will be richly conren-
stated by the substitution.
Gov. Barbour states, as strongly as tiuly, the
great issue now pending before the American people
that is, whether the will OF the President OF lie
will Of the People is to prevail, when there is dll-
. ference between them-in other words in whom the
Sovereignty resides in the county. whether in the
Fer PoFuH or in Executive Manifestation the
decision Of This question does il depend whether the
President is the Master or the Sptranto of the people
and we, Nike the Governor, will neither look behind or
beyondiI." In his emphatic language, we say. "let
us settle lion lis own merits, and learn by the decis-
Z J, whether We have any thing worth conteuding
5onl."
Mr.. Leigh takes views notvcry dissimiiar to those
OF Gov. Barboui though lac is net prepared to sus-
tain Mr.. Riyes while that gentleman remains un-
committed On the Presidential election. Our own
views as 10 tic absorbing importance of that cleo
ton are equally as decisive as hose Of Mr. Leigh:
bat we do not deem it Of so much importance as he
does, that Mr.. RIyes Should, in the present stage of
the controversy, commit himself unqualliedly up.
on that question-uuless, indeed, he has made up a
l.Gntve opinion-in which event, certainly. we can
perceive no valid objection to an open ayowal Of his
preference. We do not doubt, indeed, that such an
avowal, if Mr.. K. were prepared to make it, would
add greatly to the moral lolee Of his position, and
tend to the advancement Of those Just principles of
government, for his manly aud intrepid deieoce Of
which the Adminisuaiionha has let loose upon linn the
stInps uG warn Bar IcjHogy sutb ,yo,.l II. -.
it be doubted, in a contest involving such mighty
principles, lcIerc MIR. Rycs will be found Beley-
ing, as he does, that the principal measures of ,he
Administration viii aim a fatal blow boil at the
prosperity ard at the Hbcyty Of The country.-and
moreover believing that the means employed 10 force
this measure upono reluctant country, through the
combined influence Of Executive patronage and
Party discipline, are subrersiyo of the fundamental
principles Of our free institutions, and Will, if sue.
cessful, change the whole form and structure Of ON,
government, aunihilating the independence of the
Legislative department and CONSOLIDATING all power
in the hands Of the Pirsidcut-wesa say, believing his.
it cannot for moment be supposed that MI. Riges
will contribute TO the support olsuth measures and
doctrines; either by directly aiding in the re=elec-
ilon r Nh. Van Buren,, or by indir,c city contributing
to he same result by a passive, aud, under such
circumstances, a not less Objectionable neutrality.
Self deience sill require him to do battle in behalf
ut the original principles Of the constitution, thus
covcrtly and powerfully assaulted, and, from the force
ofthe powerful combination arraycd againstihem, in
imminent danger Of sujyeIsion. For, If the Admin.
istration is successful in this s1eggle. lhen, in the
emphatic language of Coy. Barbour. there is no
longer any thing left worth couteuding for.
Tho Ia,,mvs nr N.ye,, u 49,. - p,
Likewise contain pregnant and pointed truths. each Of
which might furnish a text for elaborate comment;
but want otsrace %comlelsu US to omit farther remark.