Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1839-07-02
99oltttraI.
POSITION OF Mr.. RIvES OF vIR
GINA.

GINA.
The result of the Virginia election has
rendered the position and probable course
Of Mr.. Rives subject of much interest
and speculation with the political world.
Already the Virginia press, of both par
ties, begin TO agitate the election of Sena.
tor in connexion with the claims of Mr..
r. on the united and hearty support of the
Wing party. Deeming these matters o.
interest to the Tennessee reader, we copy
below letter from the Hon. Benjamin
Watkins Leigh, to a committee of gentle.
men by whom he had been invited TO at.
tend public dinner given to Mr.. Riyes at
Amherst Court House. We also copy
the comment of the Richmond Wing, not
merely because the remarks of this able
journal are understood TO reflect the views
of the great body of the Wing party of
Virginia, but because on this particular
point they are in entire consonance with
our own feelings.
The position of Mr.. Rives if deemed
singularly important before the election,
may now be treated as doubly Interesting.
Before, he stood forth an ''armed neu-
rral," and SO announced himself to the
world previous to the attempt, last spring,
of the Virginia Legislature 10 make u.
S. Senator. He then mastered formid-
able force for a young party, in that body,
though it was soon discovered that this
EARNED neutrality" could not carry out
their peculiar views without the aid of one
or the other of the beligerent powers
What followed! The Whigs,.wth few
" impracticable'' exceptions, joined their
Conservative allies and for more than a
week battled, side, by side, with them, for
the election of their distinguished leader.
In these efforts they were defeated. An
other great struggle, before the people, en-.
sued; and though the Conservative strength
has been weakened in the conflict, still the
Wines are in the ascendent and with the
aid of their allies and reasonable degree
of candor and concession on the part of
their spirited champion, he may be trium.
phantly returned to the United States Sen.
ate.
The question then resolves itself into
this, will Mr.. Rives so far respect the wish.
es of those who last winter risked their all
in his defence, as to now magnanimously
step forward in their behalf? win he,
like the bold and intrepid TaIlmadge, at
once and unequivocaly remounce all ale
glance TO the present administration? The
declaration of Mr.. Leigh tina. '.the Presi.
Dental election is in truth the only impor:
tant question, the great question of Nation
al interest" at the present crisis, is the
language of a sound statesman the result
of an honest and clear headed judgement.
We cannot believe but that Mr.. Rives will
view it in the same light, and taking his
stand by his New York colleague; pro.
claim to the wings of Virginia and to the
world, incorporating hostility to the re
election IF Martin Van Buren," This
done, his reelection is sure.
The wings Of Virginia viii not demand,
but will certainly erpect such declaration
before they move in the election Of United
States Senator next winter: There can
be no middle ground in the next Presiden.
tial election; no third parry TO distract and
divide the Opposition. In the language q
our Richmond c0temporary, party pas.
sions are too much engrossed by the Sp.
preaching contest to hear of any third par.
iy formed 'without immediate reiefehce t.
that event. The Conservatives Of Vir
GINA, like their brethren of New York
must come out from the camp Of the enc
my; and be Of us ttnd with US, before thcy
can hope to see Inc flag of Executive re
form VIGOROUSLY floating over the OIL
Dominion-thfhugh their iristruuienialit,
at least:
It may Be asked, why, if We have conf
dence that such viii probably bs The cours
Of Mr.. Rives and his friends, do We spec
uIatc upon the subject at all; why no
trust 10 their patriotism and good faith
We answer, that besides being at all time
free to confess out ihisgiSiugs ia publ
linen Of Mf Rives' cast, there arc one 0
two points ia his particular case, that hav
attracted the attention of moro obserVin
and experienced politicians than We prt
Itend 70 be. TO bring these to the aticr
non Of our readers, wo copy the extract
below; rcmafkine, BY way Of explainifl
an allusion Of the Richmond Mig, til
Mr. KiYes refusal 70 vote IN tho A lbenna1l