Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1839-02-14
FOR THE ENQUIRER.
TIE SENlTQRLaL ELECTLQN

We have exhibiting upon the political theatre in
Virginia, a which surely never had parallel um-
der any government in which the people allowed
higher rank, esteemed of greater consequence
than they possess under the dpspntisms cf Russia
Turkey. We individual seeking to be clothed
with power TO be invested with the trust OF representing
the sovereignty Of q great State; and at the time
refusing to Disclose To what uses and for whose benefit
he will besow that sovereign power! The heightened
arisncracy and arrogance displayed IN this REFUSAL by
William Rlvcs. explicitly, clearly and infinitely, to
respond earnest and repeated enquiries concerning
preferences or anliparhes towards and measures
should damn him in the estimation OF every friend OF
pular rights and every lover of cdndor could his offence
be comprehp nded limited 10 such department alone
and moi understood indicating deeper dement's
cealed beneath il: For, hold that such conduct i'm
plies claim by men IN power, or seeking power, To
propcrfg in the people, and The belief of groveng sub
serviencv in the latter: the reverse OF that proud and ec
waiting theory the foundation of our political nslu
TONS that recognizes The people only masters and
dams pubic officers TO be servants merely But in truth
this department 50 worthy Of indignant reprobalion
significant of something far beyond conumacious
exterior Of sense will not offend from taste
caprice alone The conduct witness is precisely
that " hich under particular conjunctures men
bled for shor, spaces practice cloak hough mpcr
pcly) designs the lime for whose open disclosure they
NAV believe 10 be not yet arrived.
What else can be made of the mysterious generaes
of W. &. Rives about his Repub'icansm in which he is
resolved To live and die? What right has lie (seeking
be the repese n,arve of the Sta 10 keep the standard
and proofs Of this sclf-camed Repubcanism, shut up
in his own breast and though called for again and again
by The people, to refuse them any living practical enem
plar of this epubl!cansm in any Of those compet
tors who are and who from the nature Of things must
be prominent, in ruling the fortunes Of this nation:
We have our views Mr. RiVes, OF men and mca-
sures: presume TO Judge even you-depuied as you
say you have been (and as you may think, perhaps,
from Heaven) "to arLrate for goat all measures in.
voying the deslines Of this land. And we choose TO
know not only 1cho You prefer object to- but fully
and minuey the grounds Of your preference or conden
nation; and be assured, that whilst you shall withhold
the disclosure of these things we must (and most Justly
as we believe suspect and cannot trust even you:
pity Sir whilst scout from u.s. the snbteriuge thai
would evade enquiries, by Directing 10 Picdgs 10
any man men, at future and distant day None las
asked none will require Of you, an absuTdy. But as
o rational being, and much more, as The great MlS
SIONARY of political salvation; you certainly can
determine, whom amongst the prominent men in The ma
ton you either approve or condemn positively OF
relatively; nay must have made this decision ana 10 sup
pose that in the situation you have long filed you have
done So would Ire to degrade you very lar below all
fitness for that or almost any other place.
And possibly be that, with all this mystery about
you, Mr. Rives-with this arrogance Of prelenson-'h's
contempluous defiance Of popular rights The treemsn 81
Trgina ,o be ,esak enough to put their trust IN you
Whilst such folly, it is hoped, will never possess the,
there is little doubt iha, some persons will be lmpeiIeu
by the madness Of party or by personal prejudice even
10 this extreme. IT'S curious 10 observe the acsuruly
by which these men are ruled, or by which they end'a
vor to govern others They complain that you are 10
be sacrificed 10 preference for over principles
whilst they blindy resolve 10 maintain allegiance TO
YOU who will cOndcsccnd 10 no SPECIFIC declaration "
principle whateyer-will voucbsaie illustration OF
principle, save that which you practically afford IN
the subrcrson Of every republican doctrine, by deyng
the wishes and tie authority Of the people. An obs"
nate adherence Mr. Rives whilst practising this great
est outrage is in their perv ried view, devotion 10
principle: the support of an Administration republican
in all lis qualities and especially faithful 10 the peculiar
interests and rights Of the SOUTH, is by the same ar
gument devotion to men! HONEST MEN OF every
party are appealed to- on this occasion, in vlndcauon oil
liberty, justice and good faith. BY
ANOTHER OF THE PEOPLE.