Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1841-01-20

DOUBTED by all, suspected by ALL unknown TO ALL
sr'ouoed IN mystery, moving in darkness He 10
nts'u 10 come out and s,ow his present principles
10 the people, who had a right TO know the N. Al
great crisis like this, when a new Administration
Is coming into power, when every man ought to y
ms principles ut his mast head his most in,im- te
enos d,d not dare, in the presence of the Legsla-
lure, IN the face of great and frank peopie to
STATE his present creed, or to commit him TO snv
course OF action in the discharge of his great and
sponsible duties. Such are the glorious and hon.
9Tsole circumstances which attend the election of
w. =. Hives TO the first Office in the State Such is
the character Of the party who have stooped TO con-
quer.' they have given their votes to a man to
whom they cannot give their confidence. And this
what fhey esH glorious riei.ry They have
eiutched the fruit indeed for the present hui il will
turn To dust and ashes in their hands,"
Is this just 70 MIR. Rivesl Has he in reality.
concealed any opinion which the People had a r,,ht
or felt an interest to knowl What said Mr.. Nc
Mullen in debate, speaking OF his personal know
ledge1 What said MIR. Smith of Culpeper out of
debate, also speaking from personal know ledgel
DID rot both bear full and explicit testimony, TO MIR
Rves' Virginia principles and to their convection of
the sincerity with which he entertained them9 IL
these gentlemen are not good authority with Loco
tocoism, who is or has n right to bel
Ne aIe no devoted followers of Mr.. Rues-his
friends know tha,-none have more loudly con-
been less actualed by personal feeling in sustaining
him-none will be more prompt to oppose him,
when the proprieIy arises. But, rather disposed to
personal dislike than to personal lke--we pro-
nouncs the charges here made against him, the re
suit OF party hate, and OF personal malevolence-
the fruits Of the hatred he has incurred from that
pTohisaie modern federalism, which "sinks or
swims" with power, because he would not sink or
SWIM with it-nterwoyen in the instance before us,
with the mortified vanity Of an aged politician, who.
long accustomed 10 have his behests obeyed cannot
forgive the independence and self-respect, which
seorned alike, his promises and his threats!
MIR. Rives has been more than 20 years in public
life. He has acted upon all the great questions
which in that period have divided the country His
opinions recorded. He has repeated them
hundred times IN the past year. Even his enemies
come forward to testify TO their knowledge Of them
WHAT'S 1t but a poor and unmanly rersnge which
him as "shrouded in mystery and walk !
ing in darkness'-a revenge which consults its own |
passion, and no, truth, in the charges it makes1
But seems that the venerable seer is Of opinion
the wbiss will be disappointed in MIR. Rives, and (
that Their victory will turn TO dus, and ashes in
their hands And if it doth, will not he be delight.
ed with MIR. Rives, and ready again TO ylay the /
fItterer to him, and lick The dust from his feet as
erst he d 81 MIR. Rives is not doubted by all
suspected 10y all"-On the contrary generous and
high confidence is placed in him 10y the majority Of
his countrymen. That he will isstfy it, we fully
believe: but Il he bsrays IT, we shall then again find
him high in favor with those who now falsely re-
presen, him suspected by oil.