Independent Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1842-1844, 1844-02-17
From the Mem York Standard.

We copy from the Petersburg, Va. Re.
publican, some very udicious comments
on the letter recently written by the Hon.
VIM. G. Rives to his friend, Mr.. Fontane.
The comments are "more in sorrow than
in anger"--by way of regret, rather than
reproach, as evinciye Of TOO much person.
al feeling towards Mr.. Van Buren,, and
seeming SO far to lean towards Mr.. Clay,
as to give rise TO the fear that Mr.. Rlves,
in his remembrance of the past, does not
sufficiently look 10 the future; and may
neglect not only the part to which he owes
all that he has Of public consequence, but
but give countenance the man who, in the
very last moments o.! his pu'lic career,
evince1 the most vio'e opposition to the
democratic party; the most outrageous
disregard of The constitution, and OF the
rights and interests of the people. We
concur most fully in that sentiment Of the
Petersburg editor, that whatever 'susPi-
cions" or impressions democrats may en-
tcrtain towards Mr.. Van Blren, they must
not in any manner be permitted to ennre
10 the bcncf! of Henry CLAY, The most bit
ter, unrelen,Ing, and reckless enemy Of
the Donoctatic party, The letter OF Mr..
Ri,es will produce one effect ifno other 1t
wi nuke the delegates u the National
Convent N pause before they cast The DIES
tinics OF that great party and OF The coun-
try, upon the nomination Of Mr.. Van Bu-
rem. 1t will induce the Convention to de-
| Hberdte.
ION, WIN. C. RlVES.
We pnlllsh to-day Mr.. Rives' letter, de-
veloping his presen, pc i,ica' position, and
attempting 10 justify himself in bringing
his high talents, and elevated station, to
the aid of Mr.. Clay, of Kentucky. The
process of reasoning by which he has ar
rived al his conclusion. is one of most
extraordinary character. Mr.. Rives has
heretofore declared his adherence to the
Democrat; party, and the first step
which he took in differing with it, was his
opposition 10 the sub.treasury. In this
opposition he was supported by the Rich
m1nd Enquirer. The Enquirer was
whipped into the ranks; Mr.. Rives was
not--he was allowed 10 remain on suffer
ance by our par,v,and until his violent let
ter from Castle Hill 1--WE believe) the Feb
ruary of $40, there was no doubt OF his
re-establishment IN the respect of his an
cient friends. That letter drew forth
from "Vindex," n series of articles pub
lished in the Richmond Enquirer which,
with the E1itor's own comments. destroy
ed Mr.. Rives' influence with the Demo
cratic party in this State. MIR. Rlves
was, after more than one struggle, elected
to the Senate by The wing party, and while
there. preserving the high character which
his talents and industry have acquired,
has becn gradually re-aPproachlng the
Democracy, and on one occasion. hasi me
his great man of to dav, and bearded him
successfully in the Senate Chamber it,
SELF
II is true that the party cannot COM
main of Mr.. Rives for his present 1pposi-
tion to Mr.. Van Buren, on the sub.'rensury
hill. They were willing to allow both Mr..
Rives and the Editor of the Enquirer TO
remain in their ranks, provided they
would keep quiet on this suIect. But
since that time, Mr.. Rives has warmly and
zealously supported General Harrison,
our opponent of 1910. 1t is here that
Mr.. Rives' inconsistency begins more
clearly to show. In 1S40, he supported
General Harrison on the Virginia
Wing assertions, that his candidate was
Anti.Bank, Anii-Tarif, Anti-Distributlon,
in fact, a perfect specimen of :he Virginia
States Rights School, and Hero all to
boot. Since Mr.. Clay's party in Con-
gress has shown that these were argu-
men.s ad captandum, where has Mr. Rives
been? With theml No! most emph 'tical
ly AGAINST them, and as all his well wish
ers thought, coming back home.
But what are his reasons for supporting
Henry Clayl LIST, The very grstuitous
supposition that Martin Van Ruren is the