Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1843-03-21
MR.. RIvEs.


We cannot refuse the use OF our columns 70 tue Au
thor of Justice But we must confess, that we afe
much better satisfied with his reply to the "R Wing,
than we nre with his remarks upon the "Fincastle De
mocrat. We cannot, for example, very well see, Why
Mr. r. should have opposed The reelection of MIR. Van
Buren, because he dissented with him upon the cues
ton d! the Independent Treasury.
We will however, enter into no controversy upon
this subject but must say with due Difference that
Mr. r has BEEN since $3.50, in false position; and
that he remains 50 the present day. Ills feelings
have betrayed him into errors, which statesman OF
his sunerior abilities ought TO have avoided. Whilst
we had the cor of Mr.. Rives (and venture TO say,
that no sincerer friend addressed him,) ad-
vised him to escape the perpexities which his course
was calculated TO incur and retire TO the shades OF
Castle Hill. We could not very we'll how, BY
,akin, Office at the hands Of the Wings, he could
avoid the dangers 10 which he would be exposed by
throwing himself into their arms-ncr how he could
preserve their confidence without sacrificing some Of
ihe great principles, to which he had owed sis
rIory and the confidence of his country We pass
over all the painful events of the campaign of 1870
aud now, in what position does this distinguished man
find HIMSELF lie has forfeited tile confidence Of the
WINS because he will not sacrifice all his former
principles to their IDOL MIR. Clay-and yet he has not
regained The full! confidence oihe Republican party He
IS still false posltion-and ms true interests and
his duty 10 himself still point to the retirement of pr
vae life We humbly conceive, therefore, that for him
tThe point of honor is now the private station" We
might have spared ourselves perhaps these remarks
We know the hazards We are encounerng. We may
be thought nj and oilicous, in volunteering ad
vice which asks ofus We may even be suspected
of being sctuaed by private considerations, which We
would scorn to induge-But we defy all such m'scon.
throw ourselves boldly upon the ground
that we do not wish TO man OF Mr.. X. $ Abilities
whom once much esteemed, now IDLY buiteting
the waves which must ultimately overwhelm him =
Bat repeat, Will have controversy upon this
subjective must beg leave not to publish cny answer
h,oh ha DO
other channels
The "Richmond Wing and "F,ncaste Democrat;
although firing from opposite ranks, have each opened
its heaviest battery upon the honorable WIN c. Rives
and why is il 500 What has he done 10 excite the ire
and bring down upon himself the heavy dununciations
which the editors of these papers have poured upon HIM
Does the editor OF the Wing denounce him because,
the honest and conscientious discharge OF his represen
tatve du.ies he has found it necessary to resist the
establishment of National Bank, Protective Tariff,
the Distribution Of the proceeds Of the Public Lands,
Bankrupt law, and the striking from the Executive arm
the Veto power lie has always been opposed to these
measures and the Wing party, although they elected
him the Senate, had any reason 10 suppose that
he would support them; the contrary, they knew
he could not, and would not. IT, then, the Wings, by
precipltatng these measures upon the country, at
called session, before The public mind prepared for
them, have thereby thrown Mr. Rves into attitude
hostile 10 them, they are in fault-not he. He had
either to iorsake his long cherished and long entertained
opinions, resist these measures and assume, neces
sarlly attitude of opposition 10 the Wing party
IL did not desire IT, nor did he seek it; and cannot,
therefore, be held responsible for the consequences. 1t
vas forced upon him.
If Nr. Rves honestly opposed to these great mea
OF the Wing party, could he consistently with his
dny 10 ms country and his se!!-Fespect. be other
.yse than opposed to the election OF Mr. Clay, their
great and most distinguished champion 10 the hex;
Presidency; Let conscience have far play, and the
,rtfl ilu h. h.. ri p,IrbtI
BE- circumstances under which, he might sustain hun
alternative, but never as a preference. What
will be Mr. Rires course in the next presidential elec
ton, cannot undertake TO say; but from his known
opinions can very readily say what it ought to be,
and iha, is opposition TO MIR Clay election, if he
do better: and this say without dsparagemen,, in
tending d.spsra cement 10 MIR. Clay for
teens Mr.. Clay than ! do, either a a
statesman MIR Rlves wl! not satisfy partizans;
but i; plain one and will be approved when party
excitement is reduced 10 calm reflection, and party
seryIlity ceases 10 be patriotism.
But another accusation, b. the editor Of the Wing, |
ngains; Mr. Rves, is, that his late resolutions in the
Senate, against the assumption Of the State debts by The
Federal Government, was covert and ns,dous attack
upon the Wing party Why ii should be regarded,
cannot perceive. The resolutions contain no such
charge, the most remote insinnaton that il
Wing measure. MIR. Rves saw, and saw correctly too
tina. il gigantic scheme, fraught with infinite
mischief and intended he should have done, to check
the in the preamble 10 the Wnicn
he submitted, he stated what literally true that
this scheme agtated both in and out Of Congress
Its increasing popularity was referred 10 by the Wing
ITSELF and of the danger fits final Why
them if the Wing party was nor Haranz:ng this scseIle
should the Edo. of tue "Whig appropriate M: Rlyes
resolutions 10 theWhg party, aud constue them into
secret and insidous attack upon the Wing party:
think the premises do not justify the conclusion, and
that the Edto. Of the Wing has done MIR. RIves great
injustice in ascribing to him such motive. The ap
NJ tn tho 4 10
has been the result of circumstances which the Wings
could have controlled, but which they did not choose
to do, bu, which Mr. Rives could not control. Under
these circumstances think more liberal spirit should
be INDUCED towards Mr.. Rives
But what is the sin for which the "Fincaste Demo-
crat mathematics Mr.. Rives, and forerr excludes
him from the Democratic ranks Is il, because MIR.
Rlves could not follow Mr.. Van Buren, in his
change of the fundamental policy of the Demo
cratic party, and WIS, therefore, compelled TO resist
slr Van Buren, election, thereby hoping to restore
tie old Democratic doctrines and policy This 10
harsh Judgment, and might say very cruel punish
men the offence of thinking and acting for one
self la it because, in resisting Wing policy, he is bull
acting out The Democratic principles: Instead OF de-
nunca.ion he should be lauded for this Why then,
all this volcanic fume and fury-,hs thunder and
lightning of denunca.ion. But, my dear sir, you are
yet installed the Jupiter Of the paryyou are not
yet full grown God. Your thunder and lightning
and frne and fury oil lost they hurt no one so much
as yourself suppose you VIII hardly ooJect 10 W.T.
Rvess voting for the he approves and against
those he dIsappruves, even though his votes may coin
eide with your infalibe opinions suppose you
will not close the poll books upon him, even though
he should vote Tor a Democrat. | suppose you
will hardly deprive him of th's poor privilege III
yon would, you inexorab!c than Achilles IN
his wrath for Patroces slain. But whether you per-
nit him not, take it for granted he will Go just MS
he pleases without your permit Mr. Rives has not
asked permission TO be enrolled in the Democratic
ranks and you have kicked before you were spurred
But, my good Sir how long has ,'eachery been so OBJ
noxious TO your moral sensrb'liiy even though Mr.
Rves were as guilty as you charge him TO be- Look
all around you, and say, whether you ara not now in
close fellowship with who were old deserers from
the Democratic party, and that too, at most trying
time, who trying 10 sneak back into It's iold
and pass for full booded Democrats. will call no
nan,es; that would to be invdious but look well
aud if i, is not Why exile and Siberia for Mr..
Rves, and home and the fatted cali for Inc
Why. "JuSTlCE.
TO 7Hc EDITORS or TIE ENQUIRER
MIR WISE.
In oo<np t,o nf he uRtchiuoud WhIy.