The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1844-01-12
POLITICAL. a9ro1y o. raE DAY.

name, accordinsto csr run " such sassss
poLIrlcAL a0ro8y oF rag Day
We maintain an armed neutrality between
Mr.. Clay and Mr.. Van Buren,. But. sha. our
readers may bs informed oflhe important move
ments transporting around US, we do no, hesitate
10 give, from time TO lime, some account OF the
demonstrations on either hand. ~
The subjoined letter speaks for ITSELF and
speaks to the point. Whatever else the ener
mics Of Mr. Rives may say Of him. they will
all agree with us that he is one Of the ablest
statesmen Of the day, and that this letter Is cha
racteris,ic Of u great mind. 49,, i me
A LETTER FROM MR.. RIvEs. Ri
FROM rHr RICHMOND WING or YEsrERDAy., s
| The following letter from the Hon. WILL'AM G,
RIvrs, a. will be from its face written to
personal and political friend in Hanover but another
| gentleman, having learned ia conversation with
MIR. Rves that he had written such letter, contain
| ing full expression of his views the subject OF
tho Presidential election has obtained copy Of the
letter, with permission to have it published, as the
best mean. Of satisfying all inquiries and removing
ali doubts n to the course Mr.. Rvcs will pursue in
| the approaching contest:
oe WAsnISGroN, January i, 1874.
NV DEAR SIN II seems to be de6nisively SET
tied that the country 10 be called UPON to retract
the solemn decision pronounced by it in 1910 upon
the dement's of Mr.. Van Buren's Administration
and to restore him to power without solitary atone
msnt for the past pledge Of amendment for the flu
turc. The indications which have been given here
sipce tho assembling of Congress too significant
TO te misunderstood. Tho 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 arc we, who have often
testified in the face of the world deep and earnest
convictions Of tho fatal and demoraizng tendencies Of
Mr. Van Burens whole system Of political action to
stand aside with folded arps, and to shrink into an
ingorous, had almost said reasonable neutrality,
because Of some differences Of opinion questions
of public policy from MIR. Clay which wise spirit
of moderation and the recognized arb.ramen, Of the
public WILL are daily narrowing in magnitude anil ex-
| tent Z humbly think not. =. A. l... .,fe
The election Of Chief Magistrate of the nation is
Of those vital processes provided by the Consu
ton Of the country for the periodical regeneration of
system by fresh infusion into il of the elements
of popular health and virtue in which good cit-
zen, unless under circumstances Of very peculiar
character can properly refuse TO take part and, TO
| the extent Of his influence and example, decided
and Efficient part When the vast moral and pol cal
influence of the Office well its direct attributes
of positive and controlling power, consid.Ted it
1 can never be a matter Of indifference OF even Of an
equal balance Of countevailing 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 consids ra-
TONS arising out Of wunt Of entire coincidence Of
opinion with either of the opposing candidates il is
only The more incumbent on US to determine our pre-
ference with care and deliberation according 10 the
bes, lights Of our Understandings; and, when once
consce ntiously formed, fearessy and unhesitatngy
| T. act il out. r
In the approaching Presidential contest then, we
ought not and cannot be neutral; and IT, rs every
thing now indicates Is to bs the esse, that contest
shall be between Mr. Ven Buren, and Mr.. Clay, /
have "a little hesitation ing that there Is but
| line Of action BY which can acqut 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 MIR. Clay in prefe-
renee to Mr. Van Buren,. For myself l can con-
ceive Of greater calamity TO the nation per
dscredit TO the and very name Of popular gov
| eminent, than the reelection Of MIR. Van Buren,
would be, after the signal and overwhelming MAORI
ty by which he recently deposed from power,
upon the fullest canvass Of his measures policy, and
| conduct
The host of vndictive passions which follow in
the train Of restored Goveruments--the crowds Of
hungry pteoum8 meFtt Oh past
| who press forward 10 claim the reward OF their
fidelity. indemnity for sacrifices and losses incur.
| red in the common cause.-the infatuated and peril
nacious attachment to ancient abusesthe arbitrary
and self willed habits nrured in the former possess
sion Of power-tbe commitment to favorite but per
nicous schemes of policy, have all concurred to
give a sort Of proverbal currency TO the remark OF
q celebrated English statesman and historian that
the worst and most dangerous Of all reroutions is
restoration That all these evils would be realized
~ ~tmnf In thn,r a..
virulence, in the restoration Of Mr. Van Buren, mons
can doubt who have been attentive observers Of the
selfish and vicious system Of party policy exemphed
10 the creed and conduct Of himself and his friends
or who have not forgotten that memorable motto Of
party sagacty, so boldly embszoned on the shield.
Of his chosen followers, which, in proclaiming tic
the vicors belong the spoils Of victory y shame essy
rointed to the Offices and public trusts Of the country
~ the righ,ful plumber Of political warfare.
But, to return TO the remark have already made
Could any thing inHict deeper wound tho cause
Of republican institutions than such spectacle of levi
y and instability the part OF the constituent body
would be exhibited in the restoration Of Mr.. Var
Buren,, after the overwhelming condemnation Of hi,
administration pronounced by the almost unanimous
electoral voice Of the country but three short year
ago. Would IL not render popular government Itsel
"by-wosd and taunt' among the nations In ls4(
the American people, upon the fullest and mos de
liberss hearing OF both sid OF the political contro
versyof the friends o. well as Of the opponent,
Mr.. Van Burcn-recordcd their votes against him b,
such majority never before sgnaIized tho rctrca
Of any minister from power, and till then uttcr,
unparalleled and even unaPproschcd in The histor,
of Presidential contests. Ofhc twentysix State
composing the Union he received the votes Of but sc
ven, and all Of these Except one among the smalles
Of the Copederacy Of the 294 votes of the Electora
Coll, ges he obtained but CO. and Of the popular SUI
fragcs, majority Of las 900, out Of the free and en-
isbtensd citizens Of America who voted in the cleo
ton, gave in their accumulated verdict against him
And yet, in the face Of this solemn finding Of tn
, great isquest Of the body Of the nation-wb,lc III
echo of the general voice which pronounced it ha
sot yet d'ed upon ths car-s bold attempt is made
induce the people 70 take back their own settled
we'll sidercd iudrueut and in ole vatinx again L