Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1840-03-26
To the Editor Of the Enquirer.

mond Enquirer; and which was published
in that paper:
To the Editor Of tile Enquirer.
In almost every paper which you have
published since the election Ex-Governor, and
also in some before, you have attempted to
use the power of the press to put me down.
Whilst ! am engaged at Richmond in the
discharge ofthe duties of representing the in
terest and wishes of the people who kindly
sent me here, you are using the advantage
you possess by sending your paper into the
recesses of the mountains, filled with the
terms "Recreant Lockridge!'' Renegade
Lockridge!' and other abusive language to-
wards myself and the other Conservatives.
presume after all this, after waiting till you
had abused me to your hearts content, you
will at least publish few words for me in
my defence. ] will give plain statement
of facts, believing that my constituents will
not punish me because you choose to pass
sentence on me.
Twas elected with the positive understan-
ding, and indeed, may say, instructions, of
my constituents, that l was to vote for Mr..
Rives-and that without any conditions,
such as that he was to support every thing
Mr.. Van Buren, might recommend, but the
Sub-Treasury. My constituents knew that
the enemies of Rives contended, that he was
the determined opponent of MIR. Van Buren's
reelection. Mr.. Rives's friends declared
that he would support such measures only as
he approved, and would oppose such as he
thought wrong, come from what quarter they
might. Knowing that the U. S. Senator had
nothing to do with the election of President,
they decided to disregard all the clamor about
his not committing himself; they justified
him in that position-being willing to let
him vote for whom he pleased as President,
and elected me as the decided friend of MIR.
Rives, because they had confidence in him.
When the election came on, voted for
him as long as thought there was any hope
of his being elected; but rather than have no
election Of Senator, did what was known
to be my determination--I voted for Mason.
Now this pleased you very much. You did
not GALL me Recreant' and Renegade" for
that, although some Of my constituents might
have done so, ifI had not explained that
was still friend ofRives, and voted for Ma
son only rather than have no election.
Now, as to the election of Governor, how
could any man show greater desire to be
faithful to the wishes of his constituents than
Ibid? Although they, as well as myself,
were opposed to the Sub-Treasury, yet vo-
ted for Mcdowell, Sub-Treasury man, as
long as there was any hope of his election.
Owing to his local situation, (being Wes-
tern man, / thought it would be pleasing to
my constituents to have him elected Govern
OF. Butupon the same principles that1 acted
upon in the Senatorial election, when found
Mcdowell could not be elected, rather than
defeat an election, voted for Mr.. Gilmer,
who is, believe, sound Republican--who
holds all the doctrines of the old Jefersonian
school-and whom you, Mr.. Editor, but
little time ago, pronounced one of the estate
LoIo 81,
Van Buren, side, and was good enough to be
taken into your party Now it is for voting
for this man, rather than have no Governor,
that you brand me with the names of "Recre-
anti and Renegade Lockridge." There is
another thing that must not be forgotten.
While the election Of Governor was going on,
speech Of MIR. Mcdowell was read, deliver
ed in 1884, when Gen. Jackson removed the
deposites from the u. S. Bank declaring that
he was in favor ofn National Bank. One of
his votes, too, was produced, directly express
sing the same opinion. Ona resolution from
the Senate, declaring the Bank uncOnstitufion-
al, he voted NO.
Although did feel that there was incon-
sistency in making such noise and parade
about the u. S. Bank, and still voting in IA
vor Of Bank man for a high office-yet as
ne was, as | believed, favorite of my con-
stituents, / voted for him as long as there was
the least chance for him. then came TO the
conclusion, rather than defeat an election, to
cast my vote for Mr.. Gilmer, and feel sat-
isfied, that my constituents will approve my
course. He is man Of talents and pure mo
raj character, and according to your own ac-
count, Mr.. Editor, good enough Republican
for Won to be very glad to get him on your
side. He is moreover in favor Of dividing the
surplus of the public lands among the States,
10 be used for making our Improvements, and
educating cur poor children while your par
ty, I believe, are in favor Of keeping it to be
spent by the General Government, in great
military Notifications, or some other way.