Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1841-01-27

oiliee than Secretary Of War; and to strongly insi
aua,ed that he cft tic Administration because he
could no, Get higher Office. Now, think tina, tine
Sceretaryship OF War, es bsginnihg. would salts
~ the ambition of mos, mer; but MAS informed by
late distinguished Senator from Georgia, friend
Of MIR. Van Baren, that he Designed giving Mr.
Rives the Secretsryship OF State, and actually Of
fered MIR. Forsyth the mission to Austria, and in
formed him that MIR. Riyes was To succeed him IN
the State Department. l might, also, for the por-
posc OF shelving in what estimation MIR. Rives was
held 10y the Southern Democratic members OF Con-
gIess, refer to meeting held by them at Washing
ton city, about the commencement Of the present
Administ alton, no invited hun not to accept scat
in the Cabinet, and thereby identity himself with
its policy, they might wan, his services TO aid IN
arresting obnoxious measures; but SIR, Will con-
tent myself by calling the attention OF the Senate TO
an editorial paragraph OF the Richmond Enquirer,
OF so recent date as las, Saturday. This is au-
thority which cannot be questioned by the Senator
from Matthews, any oil his party. IL is the high
authority Of the Napoleon Of the Press, and most
triumphant Ietutauon IN ct the imputatons cast on
Mr.. Rives by the Senator. II admits every thing
that the warmest friend of Mr. Rives has ever ask
ed. After speaking Of MIR. Rives' past and present
position, the venerable Editor pro:ecds: "He has
left friends who lored him, for mes who despised
him. He has abandoned party whom be could
trust, for one who will neves cordially trust him.
He he's exchanged ono % the brightest prospects IN
The Union, for q conneNion with porty, which
has many, very many men, who have superior
claims on their Presidential ress." This, consd-
erns the source from whence II comes, Is pre-.
cious confession. IL MIR. Rives was Iortd by the
Democratic party, what was il fort Not for the
vices which now aScribcd 10 him by some of
that party; no, it for his virtues, for his high
intellectual and moral qualities for his great pub
lie services What she brig latest prospects an
the UHioR,- which he gave up by leaving the Ad-
minstration1 The Presidency The Editor Of the
Enquirer says so, and it must he Hercis the ac-
Acknowledgement OF one OF Mr.. Rves' brtetest enc
mics, tina, he Sacrificed the Presidency rather than
surrender his principles. What higher compliment
could bc paid himl Can INV cue doubt that he
made such q sacrifice knowingly and willingly!
That he would have been the choice OF the Demo
cratic party the successor Of MIR. Van Buren,, 1t
seems TO ne is completely demonstrated by the pre-
sent condition OF that party. Ii IS obvious mat u
they drop Mir. Van Busen, that they cannot unite
upon any other Of their prominent men. NO one
will pIet Id TO say that they can unite upon Mir.
Calhoun. There prejudiccs against HIM with
large majority Of the party, which can never DC
overcome. There are insuimountable eb1ecuons
TO Col. Benton with a respectable portion OF the
party; and Mr.. Buchanan smells rather too strong
of old Federalism for the Dtmocracy-so that MIR.
Rlves is the only prominent man OF the party that
ihey could have united upon. AT all events, he
left the srors arLy, who, IN the larsuege OF The
Richmond Enquirer, "!tUed Kim, and were wiling
and able TO confer the hishes, office upon him; AND
joined, according TO the same an hority, "his enc
mics, who ccspi,od him. wihout either the pow
or or dlspos ton to promote Inn. For what pur-
ro'e2 TO rest measures which he believed
" oud r,ia his country and its Hbnty. Was there
ever more sintetes cd patgiotIsnl The head
and font of his Offending is, that he sacrificed his
ambition on III; countryS altar; tina; he preferred
his country to himself and his patty; and has
taught the rising generation that they shave q
country to serve well party TO obey" MIR.
Speaker, have done. have sad much more than
intended when commenced. trust that the
intense interest felt ON this subject will be suff
cienl excuse. sincerely thank the Senate Tor its
very ialtering attention.