The Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1834-184?, 1844-01-25
From the Richmond Wing.
Mr. RIV ES.

gas written to a personal and political friend ,
D Hanover; but another gentleman having '
earned in a convefsation with Mr.. Rives, |
hat he had written such letter, containing
full expression Of his views on the subject
If the Presidential election, has obtained
,opy of the letter, with permission 10 have it
published--as the best means of satisfying
all enqurers, and removing all doubts, as TO
the course Mr. Rives will pursue in the APP
contest.
WASHINGTON, Jan. lst, 1874.
NY DEAR SIR--It seems to be now def |
nitely settled, that the country is to be CALI
ed upon to retract the solemn decision pro-
nounced by it in 1910, upon the dement's
of Mr.. Van Buren's Administration, and to
restore him to power, without solitary
atonement for the past, or pledge of amend
ment for the future. The indications which
have been given here, since the assembling
Of Congress, are too significant to be mlsun-
derstood. The Convention at Baltimore,
will have nothing to do but to register and
proclaim the edict of the Caucus IN the Cap
tol.
In this state of things, are wes who have
so often testified, In the face of The world,
our deep an earnest convictions of the fatal
and demoraIizing tendencies of Mr.. Van Blu
ren's whole system of political action, 10 stand
aside with folded arms, and to shrink into an
inglorious, | had almost said, reasonable
neutrality, because of some differences of
opinion on questions of public policy, from
Mr. Clay, which wise spirit of moderation,
and the recognised arbitrament of the public
will, are daily narrowing in magnitude and
extent2 humbly think not,
The election of Chief Magistrate of the
nation, is one of those vital processes, pro-
vided by the Constitution of the country, foi
the periodical regeneration of our system, by
a fresh infusion into il, of the eliments o.
popular health and virtue, in which no good
i citizen unless under circumstances of very
i peculiar character, can properly refuse (
take part, and to the extent Of his influence
4 and example, decided and efficient part
When the vast moral AID political influence
of the Office, as well as lis direct attribute:
Of positive aud controlling power, are con
sdeied, il can never be matter of indlffer
fence, or even ofan equal balance of conn
lteryailing motives of preference Oh. objection
J who shall lit. There is always a choice
f and though the making of that choice, ma
sometimes be embarrassed by conflicting con
siderations, arising out of a want of entlr
coincidence of opinion with either of the OF
: posing candidates, it is only the more incnn
n bent on Us to determine our preference wit
.,raA Il 4i.o
lights Of our understandings; and nhsp ono
conscieniiousIy formed, faarlessly and unhe:
! itatingly to act If out.
i In the approaching Presidential contes
O then, we ought not and cannot be neutra
and if, as every thing now indicates is 10
the case, that contest shall be between M
II Van Buren, and Mr.. Clay, have as It'll
hesitation in saying that there is but on
line ofacton by whichwe can aquit ourselve
n of the full measure of our duty to the couI
e try-and that is, waving all minor consi,
CREATIONS, TO give manly and determine
support TO Mr.. Clay in preference TO NJ
sr Van Buren,. For myself, can conceive
d no greater calamity to the nation, or deep'
lei discredit to the cause and very name of DO
uiar government, than the reelection of M
41OiCH NOhtd OSs dftCft tut Sf2ld1 dl
is overwhelming majority by which he wi
10 SO recently deposed from power, upon Il
=. fullest canvass of his measures, policy al
: conduct.
u The host ofvindictive passions which fc
IN low in the train ofrestored governmental
le crowds of hungry refainers, pleading ii
a. merit of past services, who press forward
claim the reward oftheir fidelity, or inder
d nifty for sacrifices and losses incurred in ii
he common cause.-the infatuated and perth
d. cious attachment TO ancient abuses-the a
:, bitrary and self wiled habits nurtured in Il
former possession of power-ihe comnaitme
= TO favorite but pernicious schemes OF polio
ch have all concuned to give a sort of proverb
IS al currency to the remark of celebrate
- English states man and historian, that Il
- worst and most dangerous of all reyoluto
IL is Restoration That all these evils wou
IT, be realized to the widess extent, and in Il
ut most unmitigated viruiehce, in tie restor
ton of Mr.. Van Buren,, none can doubt wi
have been attentive observers of the self
d and vicious system of party exempEHed
re- the creed aud conduct of himself and /
n trends, or who have not forgotten that meT
= orahle motto ofthe party rapacify,so bold
= ernblazoned on the shields of his chos,
on followers, which, in proclaiming .sto the. vi
elf tors belong the spoil IF victory shamele:
= " pointed TO the Offices and trusts of Il
On country, as the rightful plumber of polite
on warfare
re- But TO return tothe remark have alrea,
on made. Could anything inflict deep
y wound on the cause Of Republican ins,it
tons, than such spectacle of leyity and i
,os stability, on the part of the constituent boz
= as would be exhibited in the restoration
io' Mr.. Van Buren,, after the overwhelming co
ON domination of his administration, pronoun