Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1840-06-02

uyjson u0i erceeding TIN ysorS. WE CONStDEh
THIS ACT A DECLARATION OF WAR a.
GAINST THE SLAVE STATES, AND AN OUT
.ILAWRY OF THEIR PROPERTY. at is not TO
be disguised the act passed to evade The inh!mentol
,ha, compact guaranteed tn the South; ana II these
continued assaults on The rights Of the South to be
followed up by Wing legislatures there IS not South
err State that will join the Wing party IN lis progress
to reform
i WASilISGToS, May Q, 1910
.1Lon Chase, Esq.
answering letters addressed to me from my friends and
fellow -citizen- on subjects connected with the Pres
DENTAL canvass going on, submit to you for pub
LEGATION, few brief remarks
confess il has been with regret and surprise, that
have discovered that any portion of any political party
in Georgia. should be found cooperating with the fe
derasts and Abolitionsts, to promote the election OF
Gen Harrison to the Presidency All parties in Gcor
qn as late December last, stood pledged against the
; | promotion of General Harrison to the Chief Nlags-
tracy And all the events which havaosince trans
prcd, would any rational mind, must have
tended greatly to increase the opposition of the South
to the elevation of that individual. Ills being forced
mon the Ubig combinations by the Fedcrasts and Abo-
tonists of the North the candidate of Tic party IN
preference TO Mr. Clay and all others, valid reason
10 raise him in the estimation of the South. To see
political men, who have long been the leaders OF pow
crfu and talented political party in Georgia, rise up al
this late day and promu the world, apology
for their sudden change in favor OF Gen Harrison
that they had heretofore been ignorant of his public
character and distinguished merits, Which now IN their
estimation cne him to the Presidency: or admit that
their opposition heretofore had been unjnstly based on
mere prejudice must be considered hn"sitntHg apo
Iooy 10 all such aspire TO the leadership OF great
pntical party And if more valid exist, Tor
this sudden change Of position, have not seen them
presented ] have neither time nor disposition, 10
become the biographer of General HARRISON or MI
Van Buren,. | am, however, familiar with the most
prominent public acts of the lives of both these
; gentlemen and my personal acquaintance WIN
both affords me some additional aid, in forming my
opinions in regard their respective claims, 10 this high
official distinction. Upwards of twenty years ago,
served in Congress with General Harrison, and being
boardcr under the roof, had the usual opportn-
nifty afforded under such circumstances, OF knowing
Gen Harrison he IrGS, when in the prime OF his IN
tcllectua manhood. My personal acquaintance with
Mr. Van Buren, is more limted-being chiefly confined
to the last three years intercourse, which has grown
out of my present position consider the difference
in the general character and qualifications OF these two
q individuals for the station under consideration, mmcd-
suraLlc Mr. Van Burens talents character department
and qualifications, will secure TO him the highest respect
and consideration, in any official station whatever
On the contrary Gen. Harrison sustain himself no
arhcrc, in high official station Mr.V. b has through
out his political life been attached to the well known,
well defined, Republican party of the country. Gen.
Harrison political associations have been chiefly with
the Federal party; and Judging from his public life,
entertain doubt of his strong attachment to that party
and It's principles As far as have been able to exa-
mine the subject consider the General wholly desti-
tutc of fixed political opinions. consider him poll
c;an OF the cTprdcncy general rct"rs school, ready
to do any thing which he may consider abSo'Hfely nc
ccSS0rg 10 the general rcifnrC OF the country hence
il is that he is the avorc candidate for the Preslden-
: cy of such variety of conflicting elements he IS
clan in the hands of the potter, rather IN The hands OF
tic Wing combination llcsuts the views OF the Abo-
litionsts the high Taites, the B"nE Government par
", &c, nc.
,b,, p-,c I farm m
reasonable conjecture what he would would not do,
except from survey and consideration OF the matertel
upon which his administration must necessarily be
based-And none conclude, will deny that an over
whelmnr portion Of that matericl, dalnetrcay OPP
posed to The principles and policy Of the great body OF
the Republicans of the South On the other hand, the
recorded acts the principles and policy OF Mr. Buren,
whole political life! usrs the assertion, that the JET
crsonian Republicans othe South may safely c"nilde
I'm Mr. Van Buren,. Every consideration OF PATRIOTISM
consistency and scfrc pec secures The fidelity of MIR
V Buren, the great and leading principles OF the k-
puhcans Of the South How then, would respectfully
ask, any Southern man, under existing ccnmstah-
ces desire To change Mr. Van Buren, tor General liar-
rison The most violent opposition to the present Ad
ministration is based the charge of its coincidence
; Of views, with the Southern Democrats and State
I Rights Republicans In other words, that the PrcsI-
dent is "a Northern man, with Southern principles :
. Shall we of the South, under these circumstances
prefer the candidate of the Federass and Aboonlsts
10 our own Republican President: trust not | think
= not.
As rerards the claims of the rival candidates for the
responsible and elevated Office under consideration,
refer to claims founded on public service. have no
hcsi.ancy in saying, that fair and just comparison
would greatly preponderate in favor OF Mr. Van Buren,
But shall not enter upon that investigation or compa-
rison because dsavow the doctrine or principle, that
The Offices of orr Republic TO be bestowed on any
man as reward of gratitude for past services irrcs-
prctre Of tie pubiir interest Such doctrine would tend
TO coparzc the best interests Of the country and Gre
ale demands III favor of individuals incompatible with
my views of the prInc Piles OF our institutions Inc
ONLY legitimate object in creating filling oi1ce, IS Thai
of promoting The public interest There should be no
superfuous office under government and all Offices
ought lie filled by those who will best discharge the
dntics which devolve ON the office Our elective sys'
TEN of government wisely affords the opportunity 10
the people for present and sautary exercise oil the
valuable principle of rotation IN Office No occupant
Of office has any Just claims 10 reelection or co'u-
ancr office, merely to promote his individual interest
or wishes The incumbent has Just CLAIMS to re-
election which are based upon the public interest
Office always affords fair opportunity TO The lncul-
bent TO dcvrope his ability and fidelity to the public IN
tcrest and by that test, the decision should invariably
be made Ii is right and laudnble in public man to
desire public favor and appreciation, and he should seek
; it BY faithful and honest service.
But the people should scrutinizc and distinguish be-
actual service, and mere preence and deception
ritc may be 10 express II, yet factions speak
louder than words. And the quality OF the tree IS best
known by its fruit. And by the test ihus lad down,
have exercised my best Judgment in making up my
opinions in regard to the Presidential candidates The
result is, ardeny desire the reelection of Mr.. Van
Buren, because believe the best interests OF our coun.
try and the perpetuaton of our good institutions de
mund it.
The election of General Harrison TO the Presidency
this tmc would, in my opinion, be the greatest ca
r amy which has vet beialien country in the way
of selection of Chief Magistrate. Admitting the
patriotism and good intentions of General Harrison,
vet consider HIM wholly deficient in political prncl-
pies and qualifications TO administer this great Govern
men to.thc interest of the people. My only hope for
the prosperity and pcrpetuaton of our Republican SIS
tenn is in a strict and rigid adherence TO the letter and
D spri, OF our written Constitution.
However patriotic and pure may be the motive to
r promote the general welfare, by Infringement,
upon the Constitution every such breach jeopardlzes
the liberty of the people, and weakens the bonds of the
Federal Union If General Harrison had the admit
LII. 49, and dr,nscL y