Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1843-07-04

meeting my constituents ia that character alone, free
ly eabecting my WHOLE condue: 10 Their approval OF
Icondemna.0r, raihe. than through the par,islty Of
friends 10 be honorcd with public demonstration for
the very service upon which the people will be called
TO pass their judgment at The approaching election =
Nv position during the canvass VIII throw much
among the people o this well the other counties
aud prefer meeting them in their several ncghbor
hoods with more of leisure for free interchange o.
opinion and in less formal way than should able &c
do nj public dinner nj Haynevllle Many of my old
rst and most valued friends, who have for seventeen
years, honored me with their steady confidence anc
support, scarcely hope 10 see, except at or neal
their homes.
| You are right, gentlemen, in anticipating that my
preferences are for John c. Calhoun for the Presidency
No previous occasion having called for public
of tins preference, avail myself of the opportunity
which your mention Of The subject requires 10 make
known my views on question which may more or
less enter the electon and which, in the absence
of any authorized statement those views on nv part,
might brcome the means OF dividing our friends IN o
seriously 10 affect the result OF The approaching
canvass.
NV preferences for Mr.. Calhoun are founded on tie
con yclon that he is the eicent and available re-
preventative Of Democratic principles in the approach
ing for the Presidency that he stands equal
chance with any other candidate 10 receive the nomna-
ton Of National Convention; and that if nominated,
he can unile in his pport of the elements Of cb
position to National Bank Protective Tariff, n Bank.
rupt Law distribution or an assumption law and 10
all other measures of Federal Wing policy, than any
other man that cun be nominated.
That in every part oil the country, but particularly
in the South thousands who, IN the las, election
sweed the ranks of adversaries, were opposed
the above mentioned measures OF The Wing party,
| there is now no reason to doubt Or the Southern
| Wings not few opposed 10 Y. S. Bank; while
many are daily becoming and more drstrus,fu Of
the whole paper system A still larger number are op-
posed to Bankrupt Law, and To the Distribution Act
and in spite of their unnatural and corrupting party
association with the Federal Whiggery Of the North,
manry Of them are, al this time, opposed TO high
protective Tariff With many elements of Demo-
cratic principles in their party composition, il is diff.
cult TO imagine The bitterness aud violence Of that per
sonal dislike TO an individual, which, at the last cleo
tion threw such numbers OF them IN opposition to
the Democratic candidate and which, If The same
candidate again presented TO them, may again pro-
duce similar result. In the meantime, the indica
tons every where abundant-and am happy to
find them nowhere than in Alabama-ihat If
Mr.. Calhoun is the candidate, the more Democratic
and free trade portion of our late opponents will sus
tain him. in opposition TO Wing candidate who, on
account OF the devotion of that party TO monopoly and
privilege must, from inc xorable necessity, be a high
Tariff man Nor is it 10 be disguised, that our hopes
of success in the approaching contest must depend
accessons to from! the ranks OF former
opponents. TO effect this, know candidate more
efficient than Mr.. Calhoun, no issue SO likely to
rally the whole ant-monopoy spirit of the country, as
the great Democratic doctrine Of equality Of ghs and
freedom Of trade In fact, this is the only issue which
divides the two parties, which the people have moi
already settled The Bank Bankrupt Law and Act
Of Distribution Of the Extra Session. have each received
The rrevocabe seal Of popular condemnation in the
late elections; and, under a candidate uniting the In
tire eetrade party throughout the Union, the contest,
of 1874 would strike the last shacke from the limbs of
free people, in the shape Of protective Tariff
But, gentlemen, in expressing my preference fully
for Mr.. Calhoun, feel that should perform but i'm
perfectly my duty to myself, TO you, and the CON-
party which belong, not TO say that am al,
ali times, ready to yield my individual wishes to the
ascerta,ned choice of majority Of the Democratic
party. To the distinguished gentlemen most likely 10
divide with Mr. Calhoun the preferences OF The party
have once given my warm cordial, and active sup
port, under circumstances involving most painful Sc.
paraon from many of my then political friends, and
maj ry of my constituents. With less Of confidence
in his ultimate than might perhaps feel in
supporting another candidate, but with scarcely less
ZEAL il the will of the Democratic party shall FIX upon
him as the candidate, shall at once yield him my ae.
tive and Undertaking support.
! have, gentlemen, said this much the Psesiden
cy, because, TO have said anything could not can
DOR have said less; and to have said nothing, would
! have subjected 10 the danger Of Misrepresentation
on the part Of some, who, knowing my friendship for
hlr. Calhoun might have attributed my silence TO a
determination to come under no party pledges and any
suppression of the extent CT preferences into nten
ton submit them to party restraint. Nor have
attempted to give prominence to the subject topic
of discussion during the approaching canvass; but,
the contrary, by candid statement Of views, %hich
ped would be satisfactory to those who differed
with them. have endeavored TO sink the quesion-so
fer friends concerned, at least-un The
election No friend Of the Democratic party,
in the approaching election, wish to see subject
aga,ed which, in the fierce conflict of opinion, may
terminate in that division Of feeling which perhaps
the strongest hope of the common enemy
| Nor ran the cnuse of MIR Van BurPn or Mr. CAL
houn be promoted by such means On the contrary,
they both already sufficiently prominent to have
their respective claims atienvely, and, hope, fairly,
considered by the National Convention and The dan
ger TO both is that their very prominence may
collision between the friends of each, which may prove
fatal 10 both, by causing their respective friends TO pre-
fer the success of any other candidate 10 that OF their
rival antagonist. The Of either depends on
uniting 10 great Xten The respective friends of both;
and this alone should teach lesson Of moderation
AS The friend Of Mr. Calhoun feel that his prospects
Of success too brilliant TO be sacrificed spirit Of
party intolerance growing out Of party divisions while,
Democrat, feel much more the necessity of pre-
venting the ascendancy of party whose whole sys
TEN OF public policy s but series Of nvasione through
Banks, Tariffs, and other unequal laws OF the private
rights OF The citizen, and the freedom of trate-nlu.
rous, as believe TO all sections. but peculiarly dsus-
| trous In the South.
In taking leave Of this question, desire TO suy that
carry 'uto the canvass not even my above avowed
preferences much less spirit Of championship for one
candidate another As the candidate of the whole
Democracy my object is not to FORM ASSIST IN The
forming of any pubic opinion the sunjec but tn
defend the great principles of The Democratic party,
whenever and by whomsoever assaled and TO do SO
as promptly if assaied in tie person Of candidate
as Of another
With renewed assurances of my heartfelt thanks for
the kind and generous estimate which you and those
you represent, have placed my public conduct,
am, gentlemen, truly, your obedent servant,
! DIXON Fl. LEWIS.
To Messrs. J. L. F. Cottrell, and others, Commit
tee.
PERILoUs BALLOON ADVENTURE