Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1844-01-02
lEtOm The Bristol County pemocrat. |

Mr.. Fan Bursn-Ihe First Choice Of the Democracy.
We are persuaded, that the wishes of the Democratic
party Of the Union with regard 10 the next Presidency
are centred decidedly and emphatically, upon Mr. Van
Buren, Were we perfectly ind f"rent as to men; tad
we no choice between the various patriots whose names
have been mentioned in this connecticut or had we
preference for some other than Mr. Van Buren, we yet
could not resist the conviction OF his superior popular
| ty with the people AS members OF party piedged
only TO principles and not men, would 60 far as
he who goes fartest honestly and fairly in the support
of The nominee Of the National Convention. But this
cannot make blind 10 the crar evidences oil popular
sentiment nor lead US TO regard as perfectly open
question: point which we have every reason to believe
well settled with the great majority OF the Democra-
lie party.
The friends of Mr.. Calhoun, Mr. Johnson, Mr.. CASE,
are not ignorant of the superior place held by Mr. Van
Buren, in the hearts Of his Democratic countrymen.-
Each ofthe opposing candidates has advocates ho-
nesy DESTROYS of securing the nomination OF the man
of their choice. But IL remarkable that they all
agree in the desire TO prevent the nomination oil
Mr.. Van Buren, and for this OBJ ect they willingly unite
their efforts The friends of Calhoun, Of Cass and
Johnson, willingly join their strength 10 defeat the
election of delegates friendly to Van Buren, But who
ever heard of Van Buren, men uniting with either OF
the other parties TO defeat delegate favorable to
third, Why should the friends OF MIR. Calhoun IND II
easier and more consistent 10 harmonic In acton with
the friends of Mr. Cass and of M Johnson than with
those of Mr. Van Buren,? We find reason for
it in any known harmony Of sentiment on the one side,
or discordancc of political views on the other, and we
can only account for il by consciousness on the part
OF each If these factions of the real nirmty OF lis IN
dividual case This union of opposition against one
man, is strong evidence TO u.s. that the popularity oil
that eventually leave not only each OF the OPP
posing Interests, but oil combined, in almost hope
less minority.
These are some of the evidences that Mr.. Van Buren,
u.s. in punt of fact the first choice of the Democratic
party. The reasons which ent tie him tn this promI-
nent and honorable position not less convincing.
We cannot point to period in his public life which does
not abuntan,ly furnish them We would not even
except that goomies, era in the history Of Democracy
the campaign which resulted in the triumph of cor
rupt Whiggery, fifty followed by the most impoten'
and dsgraceful administration our country has ever
known Even in the defeat of that year, we had evil
dence Of the unequaled popularity of our candidate
We believe that not one can be found now who will
assert that any other the party could have
manded the popular vote that he did, even in 1870
Though defeated Mr.. Van Buren, went 10 his retire.
ment, with the glorious consciousness Of larger num-
Der of free surages in his favor, than any candidate
for the office that ever preceded him.
Let it mot be said, in The face of these proofs that
Mr. Van Buren, cannot be reelected, and, therefore
should not be again nominated In view of the astonish
ing revolution which has taken place since lS10-four
ffihs of the States having reversed the judgment al
that time given and boldly declared for the Democratic
policy -two-thirds Of The delegation the floor oil
Congress in favor it sounds strange, and absurd 10
say, that Democrats cannot elect President OF tneir
own selection. Tosny then, that Mr.. Van Buren, can
nat be elected in 1884, if nominated in ConVention
very much Ike saying, that he shall not be- ana lst
through the and opposition of those who make
the assert If there any in the Democratic
ranks prepared TO say this then we must be comPele
to believe that there Democrats ready TO- violate
their principles, and desert their cause
land If Mr. Van Buren, cannot be elected, who can
be :? The attempt of the Wings 10 run him down,
shows ,rhom they think is the strongest man, and
whom they dread the most.