Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1842-05-19
RICHMOND WING.
THURSDAY MORNING, MAY no.
{" Glory Enough. -

ON. v. B.n
During Mr. Van Buren's recent visit to Nashville
he wis "a Tited by the faithful OF that region to
Public itner. The Dinner, he deelinej-nol be-
ing IN an eating or speaking mood. and sent letter
very iul of thanks for the honour proposed to him.
His letter is charac terstic and We make an extrac,
from it.
Coming from any portion OF my fellow. citizens,
equally entitled to my respect and regard such ies-
timonals could not fail OF being very grateful TO my
feelings; but will not attempt TO conceal from
you IN how great degree that qualification is in
creased by the consideration that they have been
q fetcd 10y the immediate neighbors and associate
OF an illustrous friend, with whose political opn
ions and public acts by far the most important OF
mine have been so closely interviewer, and who,
above all other men, has had the best means OF
Judging OF the motives 10y which have been aciu-
ated.
"ln the course OF my journey, rendered thus far
doubly gratifying by the uniform kindness |
have everywhere received from my fellOw-citi-
zens, have deemed most Appropriate to the cir
slmsnnces under which ii is made the position oc-
cupy, and tho objects for which II undertaken,
as II certainly IS more congenia 10 my feelings TO
abstain from all discussions OF political questions
cannot, | think, deceive myself in believing
that, so far regards myself. additional
declaration can I've necessary TO enable my coun
trymon fully TO comprehend the principles by
which my public conduct has been Invaria o.
bly, governed, and the objects have labored 10
eompsh. To communicate these freely to the peo-
PIC has been with me n never failing purpose; and
allow myself TO hope. 1t Is one which has heen
successfully attained with all who are disposed 10
Judge me fairly. That being done, | am, as | al
ways have been, perfectly content to leave the final
decision OF public opinion in the hands OF those who
never fail IN the end, 10 render Just and decisive
verdict; and will content myself with the simple
assurance that the great principles thus proclaimed
and acted upon by me, are unchanged and un-
changeabs The acts of those in whose hands the
power OF the Federal Government has subsequently
been placed, and the consequences that have fol-
lowed, are before the same great tribunal, 70 whose
decision prefer they should DC submitted, without
any comments Of mine; anxious only, that the great
benefits and blessings 80 literally promised from the
desired change may be fully realized by my fellow
citizens. In the course have thus pursued, it is
my desire to continue TO the end OF my journey.
sit cannot, however, trust, be considered de-
parture from the line | have thus marked out for
myself, should embrace this occasion to pay
passing tribute Of justice well as Of affection, TO
the illusiTous citizen now enjoying the repose OF
well-spent life in the bosom of your fertile and
beautiful State. To him, more than to any other
msn living, are owing the successful progress and
ultimate re-establishment of those great principles
by which my administration OF the Government
was directed, aud an adherence 10 which has drawn
from you such unqualified appreciation. To his
integrity, hrmness, and perseverance,, joined TO
civil courage equal TO that he has so often displayed
IN the field OF battle more than 10 any man living.
will the people Of the United States he indebted
for the final overthrow Of false. and the permanent
establishment of true principles of liberty, based
on the durable foundations of the Constitution My
own efforts while in the executive chair were, IN
great measure, directed to maintain the important
positions be occupied on his retirement from public
liie and the result is known 10 the world.
81 reciprocate, most cordially and sincerely, gen.
tlemen, your congratulations the coneurring re-
suits in every quarter of the Union, so clearly in
dicatlns that the late struggle, though apparently
successful, on the part OF the opponents Of our
principles, appears only TO have paved the way for
their speedy and enduring triumph. The people
of the United States patriotic and decided
IN their action they are sagacous IN their obSer
walton; and the great mass Of all parties aim only
at the general good The pride OF opinion and the
force OF prejudice can do much, hut It is impossible
they can long continue to blind them to the mis-
chiefs Of those political errors, originating in false
principles now so clearly demonstrated in the con-
sequences they have produced. Experience and
reason, those safe and unerring guides, nre now
steadily performing their destined work, IN produ-
cling quiet revolution, nolseless in its steps, but
swift in is rogress-unaccompaniej by any other
excitement than the warmth oil conviction and the
force of truth.
"Noxt to the benefits which must always and inc.
vitality result from the triumph OF truth error,
will be the qualification which every friend Of hu
man rights, and OF those who have been their most
successful champions, must feel in rejecting that
It has occurred 10 the lifetime Of him who placed
himself foremost in the contest, ard has done most
IN achieving the victory; that It occurs while his
menta! faculties arc as II is my happiness 10 find
them, yet unimpaired by time or disease; his feel
ings still pariakng in all the warmth and vigor OF
youth; his patriotism as ardent when he freely
rsked his lite in the service Of his country; and his
attachment to liberty as strong as when lie siaked
his reputation in its defence; that It has come in
season 20 confirm that generous reliance the vr
tue and IntelIivcuce Of tho urOu'o which has
been the basis Of his political creed and course;
and to close with feelings OF enyable satisfaction,
long routine oil public service, which will forever
place his name high among the most illustrious pa
triots OF past and future times"
lit were allowable TO dispute about tastes, we
might nrragn these sentiments as wanting in deli
cacy and nice sense Of propriety. The oireum
stances under which they were uttered aggravate
the mproprety. MIR Van Buren, vas on a visit TO
his "illustrious friendn-anj If any compliments
were to pass, they would more fifty have come from
the host his guest. To go to Nashville to lavish
praises on the Old Hero were little better than to
carry Goals TO New Castle. They were worse than
idle, and considering that MIR Van Buren, was there
begging Tor a denomination for tha Presidency they
beiray the inveterate seryiity Of the man. they
prove that his memorable declaration, that it WINS
"glory enough for HIM to serve under such chief
was not the dictate Of passing emotion, but sprung
from his settled convictions, and the slavsh spirit It
exhibited was native to him.
But passing by this ndulalion or the "greaiest
and best" there is something in the 2oticn tone Of
the letter peculiar aud striking. One would infer
from IT, that Mr. V. T.. had succeeded in the object
Of his pilgrimage, md that It was understood ond
agreed upon, that he is n be he candidate Of the
Party for the Presidency. lie certainly so regards
himself and from the repeated and distinct refe-
rences to tho "fna decision Of publ, opinion =" and
"the just md decisive verdict" ofihc people, he dc
signs that others shall so regard him. lie IL right
in this. lie has been martyr, and II his party
again obtain the nscenjnncY. none have better
claim 20 profit by Il than he. How his rival aspi-
rants will relish his thus foreslaling tho action Of
Convention, IS another matter They mus, settle
that among themselves. For our part, We prefer
shat Mr. Van Buren, should be the Loco Foco
candidate. We know how to beat him. We
did n, when he had the Government and forty
thousand oice.holteB TO back him-and was
deemed omnlpo,cnt;-ihcrc will he no difficulty
now, when the charm Of invineibiliiy is gone, and
his roggamuiIins still shiverine at tho thought Of
the dreadful drubbing which the Log Cabin and
Hard Cider boys inflicted upon them. II they can
be brought to the scratch again, under his banner
after being poppofed ns they have been, we have
q