Wheeling times and advertiser. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1839-1849, 1841-11-11
NASHVILLE. Oct. 2I.lsIl.
Me''r'. Samuel T4,ney. D. P. iiaod~ioAc, aud 9th.


i the l9ih instant. .prOpounding Car my consideta-
'on sundry grave questions of public policy. aud re-
luesline mo To enlighien your minds by a full aud
satisfactory reply, ar in the opposite alternative.
eaNhg me To anticipate the indefinite p,Istpone-
neht OF an election which involves the sacred /
nights OF the people Of Tennessee in the principal
councils OF the nation, and Is imperativ,ly enoined
by the letter of the Constitution
may lament, Gentlemen, but I fear | cannal I
reheNe the anNetes which seem o. ctnhaFrass
your movements. and threaten TO dsapponI pnhlic /
expectation, 10y reiarding the ex 'cuiion of a great
AMI important duty. To PROMISE otherwise would /
De 10 speak against "Ihe lights before me-" and To
libor against hope itself For years past il has
been my lot 10 struggle in n warfare where rs the
country will bear ne witness | scorned alike 10
soopi nr concealment or beg TOR quarters During
'haieventiu conflict IN the length and ieryencv of
me repeated interviews had the honor OF holding
with some Of YOU. and in the frequent npportunI-
ties you all had Of reading aud hearing my senii-
ments. ! endeavOred o. proclaim my opinions and
declare my political associations. IT, after all this.
we do not vet sufficiently understand each other,
II must certainly be the result of incorrgible dull.
ness somewhere; and rs make IL point never to
be ont done IA manners, must suppose a mat
ter of pOilcnesS take the fault to myself and secure
You against an impuiapn which would wound the
pride Of your constituents and derugate from the
dignity Of The Senatorial gown. But excuse me
Now gcnlletneh, YOU please. fTuitless ilDsr IS
apt TO discourage further totls. matter where the
difficulty lies. aud feel myself compelled in all
due humility, 10 decline the explanation have
heretofore failed TO imp.css upon your intellect
Nevertheless by your leave. gent emen. may ten
der my profound acknowledgements Tor the disin-
iere-icd candur which dictated your communica
ton and in behalf Of my own imbeci,y. implore
that charity would be the last 10 imprach or as
sail.
| a word two more, gentlemen, in oil good
bcrncss. shall close what have 10 say the pres
enI occasion. They nre called fnr by consideru-
lions altogether foreign to my political creed, what
| ever il may be, and connnt be omitted by one who
feels that office never he honorlbly held, nnlcss
I it be honoraby sought for aud honurIbly obtain
/ cd.
| Considering that we are incorporating politi.
cal adveriarics--ior such Co you will admit, arc
the whole thirteen of the selfconstued and nu-
gust inquest | am addressing-yuu have de-
Gently veiled, but hardly excused, extraordinary
liberty by the elevated position you have heen plea
sed To assign me II remains 20 be seen whether
| stand alone before a patriotic inquison. or who
il Is, friend foe that shares with me the honors OF
your scrutiny. You doubtless know Of some who
have placed themselves Sicdlfhly If not publicly.
IN the category you have imposed upon me. and n
! I am bound Io believe that you "all-all honor
able men," trust you will not have failed 10 visit
these with similar scarchings. Although some Of
|
your counsels-ihe sacred office you have hoHora
BIZ and voluntarily assumed. will not excuse the
least Partially. They should be held on high rs
am. that just and equal exposure may rarH
the public Of their men, and enable mid day amb-
tnn To scan, by times, the steel 1t may have 10
| counter
Whets or or no | shall be a candidate Tor one Of
the vacant IN the Senate Of the United States
now the disposal Of the Legislature OF Tennessee
may depend upon more uncertainties than the
tiugency Of life itself will on that score nj least
endeavur 10 my ambition by the desire OF
those whose political foriunes-gOod bld-suiI
me infinitely better Than yours; and while am free
To admit that majority Of those friends may
mand my nama, I can declare in equal lrankness,
that poor and humble rs am, my enemies pOssess
neither power To deter, Nor wealth or hOnors C
nough Ia purchase me. The closeDess and fierce
ness ui the contest may warm any Courage and slim
! ulaIe my eNerIons but the pride Of success shall
| never, I assure you, tempt 10 violate any senii
menr ofproprieIy.
| assert no uncommon sagnciiy. when prufess to
understand the promscs the obligations and the po-
liIcal altitude of every individual member cUmpo-
I sing tho honorable body with whom you are acting
\ similar knowledge-less acceptable TO your TASTE.
/ however. than mine-excited. doubt, The sol CT.
iude WI ich led you into tins exIrlurdinuN cures
! pondcnce Without intending rebuke that sOli.
/ cItude, or without designing 10 charge any
one Of you, any particular member Of your poll
| lcal family with unworthy attempts upon the ufi-
suspecIing integrity of your brehreH Of an opposite
faith, seize the occasion % declare solemnly AMI
publicly, that would not ply the fidelity Of the
humblest among the representatives Of the people
though my elerIion might hang on n vote, and
could successfully accomplish tho foul seduction
/ hope, senilemen. it may be in your power-all Of
yOu-lO say as much ia equal and unleigned sin
Gently.
/ IA il true CcpUcp,c, M yo,, osscrt 10, ,,,,,
constitute a majority "iu the Senate OF The General
| Assembly uf Tennessee" and consequently hold
the pnwer for Two years 10 come, 10 eniUrce ihc
significant threat which points The last para sraph
yOHT letter Il Is equally true. that some poopl,
have prophesied the execution Of tlIc threat. but
have ever been Of the number and am still slow
10 believe IN any such purpose. The force Of ih,
threat does not therefore annoy me. nor would ia
: un Mise iulGlmont iujurc more Than il would
yourselves, and every other good citizen IN the
: country. The CHEF blessings that flow from lh,
7 happy government belong without distinction. Q,
all men Of every party. and their oss--f the faict
! hour ever cOmes-must Of course he a common ca
lamIiy. As their existence was cO-eyal, - ihci
D duration can only be cO-eGstent with COnsliiu
ton. and that long survive unlcsI The sacre,
j. injunct"us Of That ever gloripus instrument :,
= cherished and Obeyed BY men Ofcyery pOlitiCa
faith. Ia the midst Of party IN iis most malign1n
, f,rms have never drspairod Of that Constitution
Nay, more. GeEilemen: though the fiery demon a
faction should break for sea'on the chains where
with reason ~ us most brgetlul moments has nth
crto bOurd her down. and stalk abroad through ih
r. land, scattering anarchy, dscord. and waniOn mis-
rule, should not then altogether despair. As
a nation we are yet too young, and q people To-
J yiruOus 90 Disregard the precepis Of our ioref
thers, and blindly and forever cast away that ric
, legacy-tho price uf ~ much blood and suffering
wherein ith they endowed us. The constitution O
which am speaking. commands you % elect tw,
Senators o. represent and protect the interests Of
nation and your mmodiite constituents in any Of
, preaching Congress ~ all events Il imposes 90
on you the obligation Of faithfully attempting "a
lection; and ardent aud determined some Of yot
may be ~ au honest desire 10 advance sumo par
. iiCular friend at the expense even uf an indefnt
B.. pustponcment Of the whole question, there mus
l. certainly Jet be Ourd Of your numl,sr one mar
who. upb!y looking beyond party 10 his country IN.
the Constitution, will change that lean majOriiy q
: which you have imprudonuy aud incautiOus
, boosted.
Ifany q you. Gentlemen, ore disposed 10 com
plain " the channel through which these respect.