The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1844-01-12

| all agree with Us that he is one of the abest
| statesmen of the day, and that this letter is cha
| racterstc of great mind.
A LETTER FROM MR.. RIVES.
FROM THE RICHMOND WIG OF YESTERDAY.
| The following letter from the Hon. WILLIAM C.
kvEs, as will be seen from lis face was written
personal and political friend in Hanover but another
| gentleman, having learned in a conversation with
MIR. Rives that he had written such letter. contain
ing full expression of his views the subject of
the Presidential election has btaned copy Of the
letter, with permission to have it published. A. the
best means Of satisfying all inquiries and removing
I'll doubts as to the course Mr. Riyss will
'as approaching conses'' ssEs v s
VIZ I--..a~.y Il l044
My DEAR Sin: n sesms to BE- now tentatively sst
lied that the cosniyh 70 Be called u,on 70 retrac
the solemn decision pronounced by il in 1910 upon
the dement's of Mr. Van Buren's Administration
and to restore him to power without solitary
msnt for the past pledge Of amendment for the u-
ture. The indications which have been given here
since the assembling of Congress, too significant
10 I've misunderstood The Convention at Baltimore
will have nothing to do but to register and proclaim
the edict Of the caucus in the Capitol.
In this state of things are we who have so often
testified the face of the world deep and earnest
convictions of the fatal and demorazing tendencies of
Mr. Van Burcns whole system of political action to
stand aside with folded arms and to shrink into an
inglorous, had almost said reasonable neutrality
because of some differences of opinion on quest
Of public policy from Mr.. Clay, which a wise spirit
of moderation and the recognized arbtrament of the
public will, daily narrowing in magnitude and cx-
tent humby think not.
The election of Chief Magistrate of the nation is
of those vital processes provided by the Constitu
ton of the country for the periodical regeneration Of
our system by fresh infusion into it of the elements
of popular health and virtue which good Citi-
zen, unless under circumstances of very peculiar
character, properly refuse to take part and, 10
the extent of his influence and example, a decided
and efficient part When the vast moral and pol cal
influence of the Office well its direct attributes
of positive and controlling power considered it
never be matter Of Indifference or even of an
equal balance of counervang motives of preference
or objection, who shall fill it. There is always
choice and though the making of that choice may
sometimes be embarrassed by conflicting considera-
tons, arising out OF want OF entire coincidence of
opinion with either of the opposing candidates it is
only the more incumbent on to determine pre-
ference with and deliberations according TO the
best lights of our understandings and when once
console ntousy formed earlessly and unhestatingly
t. act II out.
In the approaching Presidential contest then we
ought not and cannot be neutral and it, as every
thing now indicates is to be the case that contest
shall be between Mr.. Van Buren, and Mr. Clay,
have little hesitation in saying that there is but one
line of action by which acquit ourselves of
the full measure of our duty to the country; and
that is, waving all minor considerations, to give
manly and determined support to Mr.. Clay in prefe-
renee TO Mr.. Van Buren,. For myself | can con-
ceve of greater calamity to the nation, or deeper
| IISrr n the md ver nf
| eminent than the reelection of Mr. Van Buren,
would be- after the signal and overwhelming ma ori-
ty by which he was recently deposed from power
upon the fullest of his measures policy, and
conduct.
The host Of vindictive passions which follow in
the train of restored Governments-the crowds of
hungry reainers pleading the merit Of past services
who press forward 10 claim the reward of their
fidelity, or indemnity for sacrifices and losses incur
red in the common cause.-the infatuated and peril
nacious attachment 10 ancient abuses-the arbitrary
and self willed habits nurured in the former posses
sion OF power-the commitment TO iayore but per-
ncious schemes Of policy, have all concurred to
give a sort Of proverblal currency the remark Of
a celebrated English statesman and historian that
the worst and most dangerous Of all revolutions is
restoration That all these evils would be realized
TO the widest extent, and IN their most unmitigated
yiruence, in the restoration Of MIR Van Buren, none
doubt who have been attentive observers of the
selfish and vicious system of party policy exemplifed
in the creed and conduct OF himself and his friends
or who have not forgotten that memorable motto Of
party sagacity, so boldly emblazoned on the shields
Of his chosen followers, which in proclaimng /" TO
the yictors belong the spos Of victory" shamelessy
Tointed TO the offices and public trusts Of the country
as the rightful plumber of political warfare,
But, TO return 10 the remark have already made
Could any thing infict deeper wound on the cause
Of republican institutions than such spectacle of levi
y and instability the part Of the constituent body as
would be exhibited IN the restoration of MIR Van
afterf he hel A.
administration pronounced by the almost unanimous
electoral voice of the country but three short wears
ago. Would IT not render popular government itself
! "by-word and taunt" among the nations In 1870
the American people, upon the fullest and mos de-
liberste hearing of both sid Of the political contro-
versy-of The friends well Of the opponents of
Mr.. Van BureD-recorded their votes against him by
such majority as never before signalized the retreat
OF any minister from power, and was till then utterly
unparalleled and even unapproached in the history
of our Presidential contests Ofthe twenty-six States
composing the Union be received the votes of but Sc
ven, and all of these Except onc among the smallest
of the Confederacy Of the 294 votes of The Electoral
Coli ges he obtained but GO and of the popular suf-
fragcs majority of $4,000 out Of the free and en-
ightened citizens Of America who voted in the eIcc
ton, gave in their accuuuatcd verdict against him
And yet, in the face Of this solemn finding Of the
great inquest of the body Of the nation-wbilc the
echo Of the general voice which pronounced it has
not yet died upon the bold attempt is made to
induce the people take back their own settled and
well considered judgment, and, in eevating again 10
| the highest Office of the Republic the individual
whom they had so recently and deliberately deposed,
pronounce fagran sentence Of qualification and in
competence upon themselves. ] know not in what
! light other minds may view such proceeding; but
| to me IT seems conemptuous sporting with the
sovereign constituency Of the country sheer mock
cry and insult TO the public in diligence
And by what means is Mr.. Van Buren, to be again
presented the legitimate and anonted candidate OF
the Democratic party Not certainly by the will OF
the great body of tie parry, who, have every rea-
to believe deprecae and depore the madness and
folly of the act but by the secret and invisible agency
Of sefconsliluted conciaues and caucuses controlled
with absolute sway by a few bold and sdroit political
managers. | run risk in saying that if the indiv-
duas composing the party throughout the Union
could be nterogated upon the poir dire say whom
-