The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-03-03
MR.. RIvES' LETTER.


1t is destined to have powerful influence
on the popular opinion of the State, and to
add increased force to the mighty torrent
which is setting in in favor of the venerable
patriot Of Ohio. Whether regard be had to
the source whence it emanates, or TO the i'm
portan truths it advances and so ably sup
ports, it is cminently calculated to exert The
most happy influence upon. the rejecting and
the patriotic.
Mr.. Rives' position is peculiar, and is such
as to eniile his opinions TO especial consde
ration by those who regard truth and Justice
and the welfare OF the country of more mo-
mcnt than the ephemcral triumph Of party.
Traduced as he has been BY the hirelings and
dependents of the Federal Executive for dar-
ing to think for himself, and to represent truly
the wishes of his constituents, there are yet
some of that party whose candor and liberali-
~ extort from them the concession that he is
able. and honest and patriotic. Such is the
admission Of MIR. VENABLE--one certainly
not the least Of his party He admits him to
be unsurpassed as statesman, of pure patriot
ism and unsullied integrity, although he diff
fers with him, and wars to the knife against
his elevation. Such concessions from few,
or from one, furnish strong presumptve EVIL
dence, without the aid Of other circumstances,
Of the gross injustice done to this gentleman
by the great bulk of the Court faction Bit
this is not all BY the confession of the
whole country, (Whigs and fories,) he has
quit the Administration under circumstances
under which no man was ever before known
TO abandon the ruling powers. There was
not an office in the gift of the Executive, from
the highest to the lowest, which he could MOI
at any moment have received Several Of
the most honorable and influential were press
ed upon him, and declined He could not
approve OF the measures Of the party--he
deemed them anti Republican and ruinous to
the best interests of the country, and he would
not consent to barter his honest convictions
for Federal gold. Does not this fact speak
trumpet-tongued to the integrity and patriot
ism of his conduct Is it not conclusive of
DISTINGUISHED devotion to country, rare in any
age Ought not advice from one who has
thus signalized the purity and singleness OF
his purpose, to sink deep into the hearts of
his countrymen Ought it not, by any rule
Of fair appreciation, TO outweigh thousand
times the interested representations of the
hired scribblers of the Administration Let
every man of common prudence and common
sense bring the question home to himself-is
there one of all the o0ice-holdrng class, whose
daily bread is dependent upon an unqualified
and ndiscriminate support OF whatever the
party in power may do, whose testimony or
advice could be put in opposing scales with
that of William G. Rives? Or is there one of
that very numerous and very powerful class
the class of obice-seekers, and gentlemen rea-
dy to receive (allhough they are not directly
~, -. 4
the Executive table !
Where is the man in all the hdministra-
ton party, whose past course and present
position, entitle his opinions 10 the same
weight with Mr.. Rives Is it Henry st.
George Tucker, or Doctor Brockenbroueh,
or Judge Parker or Judge Nicholas, or Mr.
Thomas Richie, or Peter V. Daniell Mr.
Rires has refused The pery Offices which they
are struggling to attain, and TO grasp which
would fill their souls. with Joy unspeakable.
lie has turned his back upon power and its
spoils of Office, and enlisted in the service
the hard and poorly-rewarded service of the
people. These gentlemen are the eager APP
plicants for the smiles and favors, or would be
the happy recipients of the bountes of the
Federal Executive. Is he not then more
imposing witness, better, more disnteresed
and more reliable counsellor of the people
II is a rule of evidence, founded in reason
and sound sense, that an impartial witness
IS more to be trusted than an interested one
And for the same reason the testimony of one
who deposes against his individual interest is
OF the highest and most commanding inhu-
cnce. Such witness is Mr. Rives, and such
the imposing character OF his testimony. lie
disregards personal advancement, spurned the
brides which were thrown out to seduce his
independence, and exchanged the smiles Of
power for its frowns and denunciations and
stood boldly forth the champion ofhis country
and its free institutions. Ii the people viii
turn deaf ear to such one, and heed the
caumnies and eulogies of the paid partisans of
power, then are they prepared and then do they
deserve the chains which await them.
As 10 the contents of Mr., Rives letter,
they are before the reader, and il is useless for
US to consume time and space in specifying
their beauties or expatiating upon their cogent
and overwhelming force. He reviews with a
pen of light the anti-republican heresies and
deiestable practices of the reigning Dynasty,
and declares his Incorporating hostility, as
a republican and a patriot, to the continued
domination Of this corrupt and mschievous