Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1843-07-28
TO THE EDITORS OF THE ENQUIRER.
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION-tNo. l..


Since YOU hsve thrown open the Enquirer, ADD in
vited communications upon the subject of the next
Presidential Election, have been constantly expecting
to zee the claims of Mr.. Van Buren, pressed with all
becoming earnestness aud zeal for the exalted station
which he once dgnifed with the impress of his mighty
mind and from which he was driven by cunning mas
yepresentaon in some instances, and by Fdgrdnttdtse
hood in many others, and by the constant and shame.
less exhibition Of the most Infamous mummertes and
humbuggeres that ever dsgraced any age or country
fear MIR Van Burens friends too sanguIne OF
success to display the ZEAL guded by the wisdom they
pnssess,) which the crisis noao-yes, noo demands-
While the Democratic party was never more united
upon principle than II now, throughout ths vast Con
federacy Of States, and never as well prepared to
meet The Federal foe in last conflict for the Constu
tion-as it was written and bequeathed TO US by wise
and patriotic storsyet It IS needless to disguise
the fact that the danger of division among us-a
danger, not resulting from any, the slightest difference
of opinion among US as to the best means Of promoting
the public good-not from any variance about prin-
cples measures-not from any Misunderstanding Of
the nature design and purpose of the Federal Cons
tution-not from any contrariety of views as to the
course the Federal Government or the State Govern.
me nts should respectively pursue-not from any
hict Of views about the equal rights of men, the
sovereign rights of the States. No-upon all these
matters we agreed But principles mere ideal
nuiiities withou, men to carry them into successful
operation. A President is TO be chosen in the person
of some one among The question is who
shall that man be
Some fve or siz individuals have been presented to
the country as happily possessing all the qualifications
necessary for the high and delicate trust and, doubt
not each would make good President. But it is not
more certain that all cannot be elected than that neither
can without the undivided and cordial support Of the
whole Democratic party. Hence, the people have de-
manded National Convention, to be composed of de
legates from all quarters and sections Of the Union
for the purpose OF presenting to the people of the
United States candidate for their cordial support and
undivided vote. call the Democratic party the peo
pie of the United States, because they constitute The
majority, and can, therefore, elect, if they WILL
When this Convention shall meet, charged with the
will of the people every where and having nothing but
the of the and the good of the country
at heart it is to be hoped, that the unsuccessful app
can,s for nomination will at withdraw their
from the canvass, and in good faith, cooperate in the
effort to elect the nominee. If any of them however,
should be as hardy ally to hold in spite Of the
Cor ntional nomination. let them read their destiny
the fate Of the rash Sempronius, or, recently in
that Of veneraed Judge White, and in the blast
ed prospects of the able and distinguished and once
popular Rives No man in this country need ever 10
attempt to brave public opinion. The effort has been
made, but never successfully. In the Of such
ambitious desperate, the voice of indignant people
would be as deafening the sound of many waters
and the peoples judgment upon him would be as
wITHERIsG the CURSE Of Heaven. He might sur
yive not however TO walk forth among his fellow
with the lofty front and the stately step of dsnier
ested patriot and statesman; but like the serpent upon
which the divine judgment was denounced in the gar
den Of Eden, be doomed to crawl out the remnant of
his miserable life-mored by the reproaches of his
own conscience, and degraded still lower by the con-
tempt and scorn of the whole nation. take it for
granted therefore, in view of such consequences, that
all the candidates OF the Democratic party will abide
the nomination Of National Convention.
Mr.. Van Buren, certainly stands above suspicion upon
this subiect-for in his letter to the Indiana Conven
tion he promptly declares his willingness to submit his
claims and pretensons TO the assembled wisdom Of the
Democracy; and il that body should fit to select
some other person than himself as q candidate, he will
cheerfully and CORDIALLY give him his support This
was display Of disnterestedness and beraty which
deserves all credit and elbows that Mr.. Van Buren, is
neither selfish, envous, nor ambitious statesman
in attaching the highest degree of importance TO the
scendancy Of the Democratic party, involving the
prosperity Of the nation and the happiness of the Peo
pie he is sincere and honest; and that, in this sense
his motto is "every thing for the eaase-nothng for
men"
Mr. Van Buren's claims for nomination, are, | think,
striking and pre.eminent lie has been the President
of the United States for the term Of four years. and his
administration was conducted with simplicity and
integrity and ability, which, considering the aper.
vading difficulties Of the time, and the erceness and
recklessness with which all his attacked
by unprncped opposition, reflect the highest hon
or upon himself and entte him TO the confidence and
support of the whole Democracy of the Union He
has been tried by Mr. Jefferson standard, and found
to be "honest capable, ard faithful 10 The Constitution
Even his most relentless opponents do not Pretend that
he violated the Constitution in any instance during his
administration, either by assuming power Grading
duty He found very after his Inauguration before
his measures or his policy could be possibly developed
general depreciation Of property, arrangement Of
the CURRENCY commercial reyulsion, and universal
want of confidence existing between man and man
Yet, amid all this gloom and confusion, well calculated
afTtighen the irmest among US from his proprety
Mr. Van Buren, stood at the helm of State, calm and
undismsyed, and like the beautiful Trekel upon the
dashing billow Of the Arctic Sea- seemed acquire
tranquility and dignity from The very dang Of his po
stion An universal suspension Of specie payments BY
the Banks, throughout the whole Union, Immediately
ensued Th. was emphatcaly the time and the coca
sion to "try mems souls" ,nid President might
have forgotten the honor OF the Government and the
obligations Of tho Constitution; but Mr. Van Buren,
RENE INBRED both, and, impeed by their common be-
hest. be seered the ship Of State through the empest