Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1844-01-18
Tsr. Rives' Letter.
WASHINGTON. Jan. Is, 1874

My Dear Slit seems to be now def
ntely settled, that the country is 10 be
called upon to retract the solemn decision
pronounced by 1t in 1910, upon the de-.
merits of Mr.. Van Buren's Administra.
tor. ano to restore him to power, without,
a solitary atonement for the past, or pledge
of amendment for the future. The indi-
cations which have been given here, since
the assembling of Congress, are too sig
nificant to be misunderstood. The Con-
vention at Baltimore, will have nothing
to do but TO register and proclaim the
edlct OF the Caucus in the Capitol.
In this state Of things, are we. who
have so often testified, in the face of the
world, our deep and earnest conyic,ie rs
OF the fa:al and demoralizing tende, ,cies
of Mr.. Van Buren's whole syster. of DO
lltlcal action, to stand aside with folded
arms, and to shrink into an .inelorious,
had almost said, treasons' sic neutrality
because of some differenre s OF opinion on
questions of public policy, from MIR. Clay,
which wise spirit o. moderation, and the
recognised arbltra' Aent oil the public will,
are oahy narrosang in magnitude and ex.
tenti hun. oily thirk not.
| The cleo lion OF Chief Magistrate of the
nation, IS. one Of those vital processes, pro.
vlded fy'the Constitution Of the country,
tor II q periodical regeneration of our sys-
ten, by fresh infusion into it, Of the ell
e'nen,s of popular health and virtue, in
which no good citizen, unless under cir
! cumstances of very peculiar character,
can properly refuse TO take part, and to
the extent of his influence and example,
a decided and efficient, part. When the
vast moral and political influence Of the
office, as well es lis direct attributes of
positive and controlling power, arc con-
sldered, 1t eau never be matter Of indif-
ference, or even Of an equal balance Of
countervaillng motives Of preference or
objection, who shall fill il. There is al
why's choice; and though the making Of
that choice, may sometimes be embar-
raised by conflicting considerations, a'i
sing out of a want of entire coincidence OF
opinion with either Of the opposing candi-
dates. it is only the more incumben, on us
TO determine our preference with care and
dellherltion, according TO the best lights
OF our understandings and when once
consciencousiy formed, fearlessly and
unhesitalingly TO act it out.
In the approaching Presidential con.
test, then, we ought not and cannot be
neutral; and il, as every thing now indi-
Gates IS to be the case, that contest shall
be between Mr.. Van Buren, and Mr.. Clay,
| have as little hesitation in saying that
there is but one line Of action by which
We car acquit ourselves of the full meas.
ure ofour duty 10 the country-and that
is, waving all minor considerations, TO
give manly and determined support to
Mr.. Clay in preference to Mr.. Van Blu.
zen. For myself, can conceive OF no
greater calamity to the nation, or deeper
dlscredtt to the cause ard very name OF
popular government, than the reelection
of MIR. Van Buren, would be, after the sig.
nal and overwhelming majority by which
he was so recently deposed from power,
upon the fullest canvass OF his measures,
policy end conduct.
The host Of vlndciive passions which
follow in the train of restored govern
ments-the crowds of hungry retainers,
pie aiding the merit Of past services, who
press forward to claim the reward oftheir
fidelity. or indemnity for sacrifices and
losses incurred in the common cause
the infatuated and pertnacious attach
ment to ancient abuses-the arbitrary
and self wlled habits nurtured in the for
mer possession of power-the commit.
ment to favorite but pernicious schemes
OF policy, have all concurred to give n
sort of proverbial currency to the remark
OF celebrated English statesman and his.
toran that the worst and most dangerous
of all revolutions is Res,oration.F That
all these evils would be realized TO the
widest extent, and in their mos; unmit.
gated virulence in the restoration of Mr.. |
Van Buren,, none can doubt who have
been attentive observers Of the selfish and
vicious system ofparty policy exeml lifted
in the creed and conduct of himself and
his friends, or who have not forgotten that
memorable motto Of pity rapacty, so
boldly emblazoned on the shields of his !
chosen followers, which in proclaiming
"io the vic;ors belong the spo Is of veto
ry," shameessly pointed to the offices
and public trusts ofthe country, us the
rightfu plumber OF political warfare
But 10 return to the remark have al. |
ready made. Could any thing inflict
deeper wound on the cause of Republican
institutions, than such spectacle of levi.
ty and instability, on the part of the con.
siituent body, as would be exhibited in
the restoration of MIR. Van Buren,, after
the overwhelming condemnation of his
administration, pronounced by the almost
unanimous voice 81 the country, but three
short years sgol Would il not render
popular government itself "bye-word
and launt" among the nations? In 1910,
the American people, upon the fullest and
most deliberate hearing Of both sides Of
the political controversy-of the friends
as we'll as OF the opponents of Mr.. Van
Buren--recorded their votes against him
oy such majority as never before signal
lzed the retreat of any minister from pow
er, and was till then utterly unparalleled,
aud even unapproached, in the history Of
our Presidential contests. or the 20
States, composing the Union, he received
the votes OF but seven, and all of these
Except one) the smallest of the conieder.
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