Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1841-01-26

election OF Gen H. ould satisfy them such evidence
oe'ng necessary to their vIBdcaon before their
constituents.
in this state of things, seeing there was no hope as
ioTc slated, oil eleciIng Wing, and fearing that If
TIC Opposition could not be brought 10 unite a portion
OF the Conservatives might be induced TO 90 over to
inc Administration party, and Tins bring about the
election OF Loco Focn did not hesitate In npply In
MIR. Gariand 10 ascertain whether he could furnish
such evidence OF Mr. Rives purposes as TO the Pres
GENITAL election, as required by portion of the
lmpractlcabes, apprsing him, at the same time Of The
purpose i"r winch such evidence required and the
use should make of H. In to this commune.
cation, received letter from MIR. Garland. enclos.
ing one from Mr.. Rives, which, after free express
son OF opinion on other Subjects the writer declared
his determination 10 support the election of Gen Harr
SON"
What, said Mr.. T. was the position in which MIR R;vcs
was exhibited by tins correspondence: Was it such
mat any gentleman could approve: Was il snch as
the Legislature of virginia could sanction: Was il
possible tina, this General Assembly was about to pros
tltute the rights of the people Of this Old Common
wealth by the elevation, 10 the highest office in The gift
OF the State, of who had thus prostuted him.
self: lie would ask, if the voice of Virginia had de-
manded this thing: Had the free sufTrages of the
Stale declared at the balobox that this deed must be
done: lie was he assumed but little upon himself
when he answered, No, The people Of Virginia
had not desired the election of William c. Rves Ii
could not be questioned that every in The State who
was favorable his election had voted for the Harrison
ticket, whilst it equally clear that many who voted
The Harrison ticket warmly and unequivocay OPP
posed TO him. Yet upon that issue, notwithstanding
his personal exertons, the people had declared against
HIM. why, then, he would ask, should this man be
forced by this Legislature into the Senate of the
United Stacs' Why should he be palmed upon
an unwilling people; Mr. Tod was satisfied the
people did not desire his election and, however, it
might suit the interests Of politicians TO perpetrate
this act, he could them that they would not
receive The councnance and support Of the independ-
ent sovereignty Of the land.-Mr L. would here close
lis remarks already extended beyond his original de-
sIgn but he felt it due To Mr. Van Buren, well the
people of Virginia, whilst this subject, that he
should disabuse The pubic mind in relation a
,nent which MIR. Rives has himself made, and which
has been much used by his partzans throughout the
State. IL had been alleged by Mr.. r., that ne could
have commanded any place Of profit Of honor in the
gift of Mr. Van Buren,; his friends had argued, there
fore, that he could have been influenced by selfish
motive in abandoning the Administration. lie would
take the liberty in his place, and he spoke authoritative
~ to say that this statement was erroneous Mr.. X.
never could have commanded the highest office in Mr..
Van Burens gift Could lie have done So Mr.. T. might
very safely affirm, that the good people OF Virginia
would have been spared all the trouble and discomfort
which has been manifested in the disappointed ambition
of the Little Expunger" II true, as affirmed
by Mr. Rives IN his Louisa speech and elsewhere that
he was offered the first office the gift Of MIR.
Van Buren,. Ii is not true that lie WIS rendered
tie State Department, acknowledged by all 10 be the
first Office under The Government. lie might have been
offered the War Department. but who does moi know that
The War Department. al least in time OF peace, is the most
Insignificant place in the Cabinet: Who does not know
that that department considered being in
the line of safe prcccdents' Mr. Rivess ambition led
him TO seek higher place; but Mr.. Van Buren, never
rendered IL. Was he not therefore, at fault when he
affirmed, in his Louisa speec also i'll his address to
the people Of Virginia, that there place either
of profit Of honor in the gift of the President which
he could not at any time have commanded; Mr.. I.
SAID lie done lie knew that his remarks had been
wasted upon the Senate but lie trusted tcy might At
the attention Of tie people, and that they might be
instrumental in small degree at least in arousny
them 10 sense of the outrage which about 10 be
perpetraed upon them, 10 due appreciation Of their
rights, and stimulate them to re-assert their power and
SUPREMACY in all time To come.