Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1839-02-05
10 THE EDTDR or TNE E.,'QUy2ER.
Mp RItE'S

The position which Mr. Raves occupies at present IN
relation To e several parties in the Legislature and 10
;hr State AZ large. is Of; The sTanLeS naginat:e
Senator to represent TIE great Commonwealth Of Viz
gG.a il to be- elected the 18Th inst and tia: grr'ia
man prominent candidate for the important Office
Yet say with certainty, whether he friend
the Administration with i"u exceptions. and
favorable 10 The reelection Of Mr. Van Buren, whe
tier Ike Mr. Taimadgp, he is aiianced to the Wings,
and pledged 10 an nncomrroinising hostility to our
present Chief Magistrate. Some time ago lie attempted
define his position, assuring 1t that OF
'arnicd neutral" but satisfied that oil parties have
questioned his sincerity his seilknowcGge in making
that declaration; for do not consider 1t possible, that
they would permit any man. at the head Of 4 small rac
ton Of party. however respectable IN character and in
tegs 10 hold the balance o! power IN his hands,
and control the MS OF those vino represent the
vast oEly OF the American people II would evinCe
IN nbeCncss o! spirit and tome submission 10 arrogant
dictalIOn, Ol which vii. not suspect them II would
be Il vassalagc quite as degrading as that which Mr.
Ryes thought it necessary 10 scaim before the Senate
late occasion II is because they think they under
stand him better. that he has new chance Of Ub!Tnng
twenty votes in TIE two llousss-E u, how stands the
case The Conservatives, such rs " QuintiTS, and
Justice, AMI "A Democratic Republican,, and "Han-
over, and all that class Of writer's, affirm yehemrnty
that Mr Rivrs is friendly TO the Administration and lis
leading measures with lhc exception Of the Suh-i
and IillIa dissatisfaction at Mr.. Wo1dburys
negotiations with The States Bank Of Pennsylvania
that c has supported all lis other important measures,
such The Neutrality Biil,' the :" increase Of the
Army, the 'Sennule War, the - Cherokee Treaty,
and will continue To support them wiihnu, regard To the
Of the Opposition he had previously supported
the Removal ot the DePnSitCs, the Forcc Bill, and
the Expungug Resolution" If they can succeed IN
proving this the Wings desert han 10 man and. there
tore, presume il is that their proofs have been weak
ard nconcusvc Aany Of the Wings, on The other
hand do not hesitate to saw tir bsi authority that
Mr. RrPs has abandoned the Administration out and out,
ard that lie viii support Mr.. Clay or General
Harrison for the next Presidency than nG Van Buren,;
IL, IT.
apusacv lest some Of the Conservatives should be
lied at The disclosure and turn their eyes to their RlaG
Iran rcHstUraiS at homc. Nor The Sublreasur.tcs
free from difficulty, for they too, have give
oi their stewardship; and should it Turn cut that MIR
Rives is friendly in the main to Mr.. Van Buren, and
like James VI. Mason, prepared to nppHSe WtisiSm in
all is aspects they might find it difficult 10 Justify their
preference fer "n"h'r even IT. as they a'r4 MI Hives
has conducted his opposition with d Gnty, temper
or apparently friendly Split.
Now why al this mystery on n suIicc. that ought to
be clear the light Of rayen? Did il happen
he:rr, that Senator WAS elected for six years 10 repre-
sent the Old Dominion, whose sentiments were not
known in relation 10 the presidential candidates: Was
silence before permitted grave aud momen.
questi1n:or, Cmre ao9 cd to take the place
# rCrG;uii Was il ever before thought prrsumplunus
in the peoples delegates, 10 insist a man showing
ms hand. placed in Mr. Rves' situation on the very
u great struggle between parties for 4 TO
rcStni H,ir priacpcS?Or, is there any thing in tie
Office OF Senator or Representative, which makes il im
proper inGc!lCa,c respond to such call, l. Mr.
Crtl'nden or Mr. Rranc, or any other Senator cTcit
ir RirtS, asked, "Who your for the Pre-.
srdCrcy At the next election think you he wnnld hest
tate moment ~ his answer; And if he said, Nr. Clay
Mr. Van Buren,, would that bind him 20 vote for the
one or the other under all circumstances; Is it any
thing than saying, 81 am. present advised, for
Hr Clay or Mr. Any body-ese, because think he will
mos, nearly carr ou, the political principles approve;
and would il be necessary for him TO add, "but mind
vii mol vote Cor him, It. in the mean lac, he steals
horse robS the Treasury Away with such uisera
be- such contemplate subreriuges They are unworthy
the character Of VIrginans, Of any honest ndepe:-
dent
Why, then, ask again. should there be any conceal.
men On this vital, this most interesting subject; Tie
Conservatives II to themselves and their constituents
that Mir Rlyess present opinions should be distinctly
asccraired. The Wings it 10 the proud character
they assume. Of fair and open dealing that all rckery
and artiice should be avoided And Mr.. Rives owes ii
his honor, and the old friends who placed him
where he that he should leave no shahc OF doubt
on question which may influence the votes Of every
member of the Virginia Assembly. Can he, any real
friend OF his, wish his election, under the cloud now
hanging over him. raised by the mysterious r!vrgs out
and tie iucomnunIcabe hints and sEdGcs received
from Washington; Do The Conservatives wish 10 cheat
the Why's or the Wings the Conservatives; Or are
they all really ignorant of Nj Rirss sentiments The
subject referred 10; is NJ kiyss doubtful himsei!,
who would be his choice, if The eleclcn TO
tomorrow; Why is there any wiring this subject
Why elaborate essays: Why Ingenious theories: Is it
net Fasr and simple process 10 ask the question and
have it answered. II any disappointment felt, here
after. from Mr. Rives political course will il Le enough
ot the representative 10 say TO his outraged constituents
Il really thought Mr.. Rives friendly TO Dir. Clay
or friendly 10 Mr. Van Buren,, and therefore voted frr
him; VIII this satisfy plain, honest, unsophis;ica!ed
mra; Or vii! 10, the indignant reply 10 The Conscrva
ves br, 'cou afraid ascertain tie truth, because
your attachment, TO individual overcame your ob!iga
lions 10 yo"r patty and therefore you betrayed your
constituents 4 nd 10 the WHY'S '.you cTer-anN
ions form dsc!eGilable coalition Tor temporary pul
poses and forgot all the principles you nave heretofore
pretended to hnI! sacred;
Either Mr. Rivess sentiments in regard 10 the gene
raj q: the Administration andlo the reelection OF
Mr. Van Uu!cn. are known or they are not known. il
know viii are they KEEP, from the public: If mol known
every consideration of duty. Of sound policy. Of political
honor and consistency, requires their explicit avowa-
As Whir wnnid demand ii, in justice 10 The preten
ions Of my fellow latorers n lhC zane cause. and u: