The Madisonian., 1840-02-13
VIRGINIA.


Harrison or Van Burcn, been made up and
fairly presented TO the people, but another
issue Of Roane or no Roane will be tried Tor
it seems that this gentleman will have to pass
that ordeal at the next session, through when
he attempted to pass Mr.. Rives during The
last We are gratifed that all these issues
are presented, and to be tried at one and the
same time by the people oI Virginia. we are
happy that the comparative merits oil all these
competing candidates will be analyzed at one
and the same time From 50 much collision
we fatter ourselves that truth will be elected,
and verdict pronounced, which will strike
terror into the heart of monarchica loco
locoism, and drive il into its reccsses OF dark
ness and ignorance.
In the Presidential contest Virginia has to
decide between one of her own sons, whose
honesty of heart and fearlessness Of soul Is
truly characteristic Of her people-one who
has mingled in the battle-srlle, braved many
a field and encountered many danger. One
who, in the councils Of tho nation or in the
private walks Of life has uniformly maintained
a high character for virtue, wisdom, benevo-
lence and patriotism; and cold-hearted,
selfish, calculating politician, who knows no
interest hut that of party; and worships no
God but that of power. VIII she rcpudIate
her otcn patriotic, vrtuous and war-warn son,
and hug to her bosom the party tactlcian and
selfish politician. We say no. She riH not
she cannot.
In the contest between Mr.. Rives and Mr..
Roane, she has to decide between one of the
ablest, purest most accomplished and virtu-
GUS Of her sons, whose reputation for talents,
virtue and accomplishments, as man and
statesman, is admired both in Europe and
America and one who has no other distinc-
tiop than that Of being the ictor of clique,
and the instrument of a faction. Since Mr..
Roane's service in the Senate Of the United
States, he has neither said nor done any thing
calculated to acquire distinction, except his
wanton, unprovoked, vindictive, and cold
hearted attack upon Mr. Rives on the ever to
be remembered 18th of February last -
prompted, as he evidently was, by those
who hoped to rise upon Mr.. Rves' ruin.
Can the people hesitate in their choice
between two such menl Will they not
reward the high and lofty spirit Of inde-
pendence, and unhnching devotion to truth,
which placed Mr.. Rives in opposition
to the present administration, by approving
his firmncss, fidelity and independence, and
rebuke the arrogance and insolence Of power,
by discnrding from their confidence the man
who was made the instrument of its revenge,
and the mouth-pece of its dictation! We
do not doubt she will. The virtue, intelli-
gence and independence Of that people forbid
that we should anticipate any other result
This new state of things, and the involve
mcnt Of the fate Of Mr.. Roane, gives the key
TO the new ZEAL and increased energy with
which the editor of the Richmond En-
qurer" pursues MIR. Rives. His friend and
kinstnan, Mr.. Roanc, must be saved, and TO
save him Mr. Rives must be ruined. This is
the decree of the "clique'-the mandate OF the
junto, and the " Enquirer" is the willing in
strument Of executing these orders. People of
Virginia-land Of Washington, Of Jefferson,
Of Madison, and of Henry, are you willing to
be made the instruments of pcrpetrating upon
your able, patriotic and virtuous son, the ruin to
which clique of hearless aspirants and cor
rupt politicians have doomed him for faithfully
and learlessly defending your rights, and
maintaining your prnciplesl We answer, no,
no, never. You will never imprint such an
ndelible stain upon your pure and unspotted
cscutchcon-R has been faithful 10 his
country--Roane only to his party.
But Mr.. Riyes, il seems, must be prostrated
to appease the wrath OF the /" King" Mr..
Van Burcn is to be sustained at all hazards
and every man who refuses 10 adhere to his
fortunes, is rebel against the throne and
must be punished. Now, in sober serious
ness, we would ask every intelligent and can
did man, Who is Mr.. Van Buren, and what
service has he rendered the Country, that the
ables, the proudest, the most intelligent, and
most patriotic of our citizens, should wilher
at his touch, and die al his command As
man, he is cold and selfish, possessing none
Of that noble and generous spirit which can
tolerate opposition to his will, and none of
that distinguished ability, enlarged inlorma-
ton and expanded thought, which constitute
the statesman and the patriot. As man and
statesman, he is incomparaby behind Will
liam c. Rives. Mr.. Van Buren has not been
the author of single great measure, and his
administration has been unfruitful and unpro-
| Juc,;ya W. hnya heard notb,no day after