Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1841-08-17

THOMAS DaN 10, OF GTseRt.
NATH. J. WEIGH, Of MADISON
WIN. A. HILL, Of CaiPepr <
FREDERICK DUNCAN,
cf Rappaaannoek
TO Col. JONI VOOLFOLK.
n h Direct your answer to Barboursvie, Orange.
col wooLFoLK'S REPLY -,
Orange, Jaig 26h, ISL.
f,r,r,ry. ! rece;ved your letter of the 22d m
,n, informing me that the Convention held al adi-
son Court House had nominated me as cahu'uae W
the Senate To be candid, (for, without irahkhtss' no
man can expect the lasting confidence OF al, 'eii'
gent and vrtuous people,) was equally surprises a
Ho,,ered by the nominaton-surprised, that shouiu
haze heen nominated after my constant and repeated
assurances that in consequence OF considerations OF
biyh and important nature, did not desire my na's
10 he brought before the Convention and Hferea oy
tho anorobation of nv past services IN the Legislature
on nla,nIv 10 be implied from the nomination. The
Convention was apprised that there were many others
in the District, Of high order OF talent, OK hfih anu
devoted patriotism, who at the earnest solicitations OF
their friends would have been willing TO serve IN tue
Councils of the State These, am persuaded, were
passed over some in consequence OF local feelings
growing out of local causesothers IN consequence o.
their not having been, as yet, IN the OPINION Oh the
Conventions sufficiently before the people TO command,
with reasonable certainty, the undivided support OF The
Dstrict-the time from the adjournment OF the Con-
yention to the election being too short to enable tnein
TO present themselves fairly before the people Ter
ing as do with the Convention IN thus opinion, u
they entertained il and believing that there are others
upon whom we might most cordially have raeu
shoud have been highly gratied had the choice fallen
upon some other individual But hold, as have ever
held that ererg man owes service 10 ms country, ana
that no man ought, when called upon by Convention
of the people, to refuse 10 serve them The call eeing
made upon one who, VI was known did not desire IT.
makes it an Imperative duty his part to obey For
he is bound 10 presume that the Delegates coming
from all parts of The District knowing the extent OF
local preiudces and the probable feelings Of rvaisip
,l,, .,fihn rhn
had been strongly solicited 10 tender their services
thouuht that he would be least likely TO encounter those
local preudices ON the one hand, engender feelings
of rvalsh,p the bosoms of any portion OF the cons
tuent body on the other. Whether the Convention
was right or wrong does not belong to the nominee to
decide | may, however, be permitted to remark, that
have looked upon the contest which has SO deeply
agta,ed and distracted portion OF the District, with
feelings Of the deepest and most heartfelt regret
With the highest respect for both the contendng par
ties and more exalted opinion Of the qualifications and
talents of the two great leaders than perhaps enter
tanned by many of their friends, ! was at all times
ready, willing, and anxious, TO soothe the feelings so
naturally resulting from contest, more personal ,han
political in its character and TO have separated the IN
teress the two by elevatng the one or the other to
q more exalted station.
In respect 10 feelings of rivalshp, will not suppose
that any can exist towards the undersigned. | can
truly assure each and every individual, that, from
many considerations, felt no disposition to embark
again in political life. True, | was anxious to see
some selected, who not IN fact, or IN imagina
tion identified with the contest to which ! have al
luded But this resulted from disposition to preserve
harmony in the Democratic party, and not from any
wish to break down the aspirations Of iaudable amb
ton In truth, did, and do noe, really believe, that
the true way to PROSTATE ana destroy any one con-
nected with that contest was, to put him forward at
time when preiudiccs existed against him --prtJudices
which If permitted to sumber will perish in the
lapse Of time and give way to the better feelings OF
the heart but which, If cultured IN the summer oil
their growth, will take such deep root, as soon TO
spring up, overshadow and smother forever the tar
hopes of any against whom they may uniortu-
naely exist
Ia accepting the nomination, | am actuated by
conviction that the Convention was governed in its
selection by solictGde to preserve the harmony oil
the party, and that selected under the impress
sion that could under existing circumstances, do SO
more effectually than any other. | fear the Conven
zion was mistaken. But, if frank and candid course;
if honesty of purpose, and an ardent devotion TO what
conceive to be the true principles OF our Govern
,ncnt and jealous endeavor impress my views
upon the minds Of Others wall accomplish the end IN
view it shall be accomplished BIT It is not to the ex
cr,ons of the candidate alone, that must look Tor
1t is to the individual exertons OF each and
every member Of the Convention, of each and every
Democrat the District, which alone effect the
end for which you assembled Ii is not the promo
ton OF the humble nominee, that nvokes you to ac
ton. Ii is the principles of 9S-9, for which you
have long been contendlng, that demand the exer
lions OF every one vi
and rail- to active exertons for their maintenance all who
believe the creed of that school be the true creed
the Constitution. 1t is the promotion and malnte
nance of these great principles, that demand OF those
who believe that the present dominant party in power
are for measures at with them, TO lay aside all sell
fish considerations all personal gries, preludces or
prtiaies and all their exertons IN support ot teir
common principles Thsi the part OF true PATRIOTISM
patriotism, that looks with wstiul and eagle eye To
the good Of the country, without being stimulated 10
more ardent exertions by personal regard Tor inc
candidate on the one hand, relaxed by prejudice or
indifference towards him the other Believing, as
/ always have, in the patriotism of the Democratic
party in the District shall expect and confidently re.
ly upon their individual and united support AND
shall expect much from the exertons and influence OF
that portion OF citizens who, from their retired
habits aud necessary confinement to business, are
by but too many supposed 10 have but little power
save that Of casting their individual votes, but who
in fact Weld and always have welded influence far
be yond their conception-an influence, of which
thew for the most part, unconscious, and which is
rarely seen until il is felt True, in consequence Of
their constant attention TO private AFFAIRS and often
consequence of an opinion frequently entertained by
The modest and unaesuming, that they can do no
than cast their votes it but rarely the case that they
bring their powers to bear upon public OPINION and
hence our more active politicians content themselves
with PROMISE on the part ofthese voters, 70 attend the
election without impressing upon them Inc Necessity
of bringing their influence to bear upon Tue canvass
What can more efectualy the slohtul, confirm
the way.rng or stimulate the steadfas Than 10 see Inc