Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1840-02-06
vn,roRs, CORRESPONDENCE.
RICHMOND, Jan. 81, 1910.

Ia, Riyes 50, Mason sl, scattering s.
p,v.. having lost and Mr.. Mason having gained
.;oc. Yesterday, (Mr. Griever of Smyth,) who,
,,..., was induced 10 SO over to Judge Mason, in
,,.,ce of letter xhbiled to him. vr.lten by
pves to Senator Fon,ane, and which the lat
r,.,umed would exert precisely the contrary
-g..,-so diverse are the impressions made upon
,a,,.,, minds by the same declaration | under
-. h,, This letter of Mr.. r. had reference 10
il, document which recently found its way TO
10 ,,b,ic eye, by the unau'hurzcd, and certainly
.,.or,, use of it. made by the friend in New York
.on it was addressed. 1t took the ground, in
t...,cs 10 the wish expressed in Mr. RS letter to
n,.,d in New York, that the nomination Of the
u.,,;sburg Convention, mig ht be suspicious to the
.';,a,h of sound principles, that he Intended
a,.aoe himself to tina, nomination, but TO intimate a
hone thu, Gen. Scott, The iavorte OF the Empire
CT. miphtrcceiye it. Mr.. Fontaine desired to
.onyince Mr.. Griever that Mr.. RTes occupied The
same ground this winter that lie did last Spring.
when Mr. G. at the polls pledged himself TO vote for
MIN. Mr.. G. however, understood the matter diff
feren,ly and gardcd the letter as uneqnWocaly in
dcaye of NJ. Rs opposition to the Administration.
Considering himself, therefore, absolsed from his
rsd0e he has ever since, and will coptinue TO sup
nor, IuJpe Mason. Whether in thus acting he has
,;,ded TO the powerful influences that have been in
cessau,y a, work upon him, ever since he left home,
and the success Of which, at an earlier period,
confidently anticipated that The Enquirer at the
commencement of the session, chrisered him a
:. reluctant Conservative, in The first stages of
n retreat. Il cannot pretend to determine. That
;m,,ter for himself and his constituents TO decide.
,con(ess that was surprised seeing and knowing
b,, dld that he voted for Mr.. Riyes at all
While on This subject may add that Mr.. Smith Of
Russell has acted in a manner which reflects credit
on his sincerity. his frmness and his integrity He
too, was called ''reluctant' Conservative aud up
on him, too doubt not, exfrled the most
powerful influences to make hin assume the posi-
ton which the Administration party lnsuicd him
By presumng he was willing TO do--in open oppo-
siton to his solemn pledges. No stands upon
higher ground than that gentleman.
In reference to Mr. Riyes's position this winter
have only one word TO say-and that is, tha
while he has faithfully aud properly adhered to the
ground assumed in his Louisa dinner speech, that
he would not pledge himself in reference to the
next Presidency think that that ground i'm
properly assumed-hati il is one which public
man in this country can or ought to mainain--and
that the for MI RS silence no longer exist
ing, he ought TO take sides for the
other of the Presidential nominees. la his Louisa
speech, Mr.. Rves declared that he ould not make
any such pledge, =" FOR the purpose" of influencing
his election to the Senate. Having so declared il
became him, as a gentleman, TO conform his course
to that declaration; aud am lad that he did So
in defiance of the numerous and earnest solicitations
which | have IN beI al
him. nconsderatey in some cases and mqliriousy
in othe,s, 10 induce him abandon the positicn-
Now, however the reason for silence has ceased to
exist, and ought no longer to operate. The Sena-
torlal election is over Tor will be in all prob; blity
TO day or To- morrow j aud, however it be deci-
ded, lie cannot, after the contest is at an end be ac-
eused of avowng his sentiments "fr The purpose" Of
influencing the result. Ii is true, the lie gislatufe
will have another Senatorial vacancy to ill mex,
winter and may be- if no election take place this
winter, which is probable that we shall have two
Senators To eect but the Preside ntiaL election
comes on in November, and every man. therefore.
must, before that time, throw his weight into one
scale or the other. II it mere contest be-
tween men-lii were a question whether the Bour-
don or the Corsican should wear the imperial dia-
dem-i would be a contest in which any patriot
might well stand alool and look upon the mad,
'gnoble strife" with pity and disdan. But it is mol
80. Great principles Of constitutional freedom are
involved in the issue; and it behooyes every man
who prizes he birth right Of liberty beqneahed to
MN ny The fathers of the Republic to buckle on his
af"or ara prepare for the conflict. Nh Riyes is
a MIN Of commanding talents, and of deserved and
VIDE extended influence. lie man hold in his hand
Il believe he docs,-a sword as pc ent as that of
Brennus. Is it not his duty to thlow it into the
scale, and il ne can TO decide the struggle in favor of
those principles which he holds so dear that 10 pro
mote their triumph lie has cast away the most bril-
liant prospects, and offered himself Wiling sacrifice
upon the altar Of his country prefering to serve
/ rather Than to obey party which demanded of
a the sacrifice OF opinion, honor and conscience.
as the condition of its future ocration,and support
These views expressed with unleipned Difference |
10 The better judgment of Mr.. Ryes himself Ihave
no reason TO believe, however that they are not in
"ecotdance with his own; aud / shall be rejoced if
nc shall arrive at the same conclusion
nave not deemed it necessary to allude particu-
'''y 10 the events of yesterday. The proceedings
a,e iol'y reported in the papers of this morning,
winch presume youwi publish. will remark.
however, en- pdssant that Mr. SouthaiI. in The House
naue a powerful speech, in reply to taun, of Mr..
,,u'ey' Tie member from Southampton, that The
wings required time TO hold another Caucus
htpa IL