The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1844-01-22
MIR RIVES' LETTER,

WING. IL nus pIuuuCcu IultS u seHsutOn Vir,,.
ia at Washington, and elsewhere.
From The Richmond Whig.
The following letter from the Hon Wilma, y
RIvEs, as will be seen from its face, was wrion
personal and political friend in Hanover; but o,o
Their gentleman having learned in conversation ,va
Mr. Rves that he had written such letter cop,oi,
ing full expression of his views on the subject =,
the Presidential election, has obtained COW orh
letter. with permission TO have it published, ns III.
best mears of satisfying all inquiries and remOvn'
all doubts as TO the course Mr. Rves will purupo !
the approaching contest.
WAsHINGToN, January !, 1874
My DEAR SIR: II seems TO be now defniaL
settled that the country is to be called upon to eo:,
the solemn decision pronounced by it in 1910 unon
the dement's of Mr. Van Buren's administration, md
to restore him TO power, without a solitary aone
ment for the past pledge of amendment for the ia.
ture The indications which have been given hero
since the assembling of Congress- are too significant
be misunderstood. The Convention at BallimOn
will have nothing do but TO register and proclaim
the edict Of the caucus in the Capitol.
In this state Of things, we, who have so often
testified in the face of the world deep and earne,
convictions of the fatal and demorOlizng endencie,
of Mr. Van Buren's whole system Of political action.
to stand aside with folded arms, and to shrink into on
inglorious. had almost said, reasonable neutrality,
because Of some differences Of opinion question.
of public policy from Mr. Clay, which wise spirit Of
moderation, and the recognized arbitrament of tho
public will, are daily narrowing in magnitude and OK.
tent humbly think not
The election Of Chief Magistrate Of the nation /,
one of those vital processes provided by tho Con.
stitution of the country, for the periodical egene-
ton of our system by fresh infusion into it Of the
elements Of popular health and virtue, in which
good citizen unless under circumstances Of very Pc.
cular character, properly refuse TO take part and
TO the extent OF his Influence and example, decided
and efficient part. When the vast moral and pOhi
cal influence OF the Office, well its direct atr
butes Of positive and controlling power, are consider
ed, il be matter of Indifference, or even
Of equal balance Of counervai'Ing motives OF pre-.
ference objection, who shhl ill il. There is al.
ways u choice; and though the making Of that choice
may sometimes be embarrassed by conflicting con.
sderations arising out Of want Of entire coincidence
Of opinion with either Of the opposing candidates, it
is only the more incumbent 10 determine our
preference with and deberation, according To
the best lights Of understandings; and, when
conscientiously formed fearessly ard unhes,a.
tingly 10 act It out.
In the approaching Presidential contest, then, wO
ought not and canno! be neutral s. it, every thing
now indicates is TO be the case, that contest will bs
between Mr. Van Buren, and MIR Clay, have as liz
tie hesitation in saying that there is but line Of
acton by which we can acqut ourselves Of the full
meas ure ofour duty to the country and that swang
all minor considerations, to give manly and deter-
mined support 10 Mr. Clay in preference 10 Mr. Van
Buren,. For myself, can conceive Of greater ca.
lamty to the nation deeper discredit To the
and very name of popular government, than the TO-
election Of MIR Van Buren, would be, after the signs
and overwhelming majority by which he was recent.
Iy deposcd from power, upon the fullest canvass Of
his meas ures, policy, and conduct.
The host Of vndicive passions which follow in tho
train OF restored Governmenls-the crowds Of hungry
rptninprs nlpndinu the merit oT services. who
press forward to claim the reward Of their fidelity,
indemnity for sacrifices and losses incurred in the
mon cause.-The infatuated and pertinacious attach
ment to ancient ubuses-the arbitrary and selwiDg
habits nurtured in the former possession Of power
the commitment to fuvnre but perniciouS scheme'
OF policy, have all concurred to give sort Of proven
bal currency to the remark Of celebrated English
statesman and historian that the worst and most Dan,
gerous Of all revolutions is Il restoration. That all
these evils would be realized to the widest extentanu
IN their most unmitigatcd vruence, in the restoration
OF Mr. Van Buren,, none can doubt who have been at
tenve observers Of the selfish and vicious system 81
party policy eXemplifcd in the creed and conduct oil
himself and friends, or who have not forgotten ln"
memorable motto of party rapacity, SO boldly emDa
zoned on the shields Of his chosen followers, which,
in proclaimng "to the victors belong the spolls w
victory shnnelessy pointed to the Offices and pOO
lie trusts of the country the righfu plumber o P0
litical warfare.
But, TO return TO the remark have already made
Could any thing infict deeper wound on the cause
Of republican institutions, than such spectacle OF
levlty and instability the part Of the constituent
body, as would be exhibited in the restoration oil MI
Van Buren,, after the overwhelming condemnation ="
his administration, pronounced by the almost IMAM,
nous electoral voice Of the country but three sho'
years ago? Would it not render popular government
itself "by-word and a taunt'' among nations! ~
1910 the American people, upon the fullest and Wps
deliberate hearing of both sides ofthe political Gun"
troversy-of the friends well as tho opponents ~
MIR Van Buren-recorded their votes against MN v!
such majority never before signazed the re.'sTa
ofany minister from power and was till then u..et
unparalleled and even unuPproached In the h's'O;,
OF oui Presidential contests. OF the twenty 80
States composing the Union he received the Vo'es "
but seven, and all of these Except one) among wy wy
smallest in the Conederacy; Of the 294 votes o. ,0
Electoral Colleges he obtained but SO; and OF % %s
popular suffrages, majority of 900, out o. '
free and enlightened citizens OF America who Vo'eu g..
the elecon,g gave in their accumulated verdlc aes %a
him. And yet, in face of this solemn finding Oh % ,hs
great inquest of the body of the naton-wh.e NV,
echo of the general voice which pronounced H. %
not yet died upon the cara bold attempt is ,h9o 6
induce the people TO take back their own se'''e" ~ 10
well considered Judgment and, in eleva'ing aSG ;auS
the highest Office Of the Republic, the noN .'od
whom they had recently and deliberately dePUIIii IN.
pronounce fragrant sentence Of qualification u'U nh