Ypsilanti sentinel. [volume] (Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Co., Mich.) 1843-1900, 1844-01-31

place in hell hotter than another, Almight!
vengeance will assign that place to the African
slave.trader. F. w. R.
LETTER FROM Nc. RlvES.
From the Richmond Wing of yesterday
The following letter from the Hon. w
G.. RIvEs, as will be seen from its face
was written 10 a personal and politica
friend in Hanover, bur another gentleman
having learned IN conversation with Mr.
Rives that he had written such letter
containing a full expression of his views
on The subject Of the Presidential cleo
lion, has obtained copy of the letter
with permission to have it published, as
the best means of satisfying all inquiries
and removing all doubts as to The course
MIR. Rives will pursue in the approaching
contest
Washington, January 1, 1874.
Ny DEAR SIR lit seems 10 be nov
definitely settled that the country is TO be
called upon to relract the solemn decision
pronounced by it in 1910 upon the deme-
rits Of MIR. Van Buren's Administration.
and 20 restore him TO power without {
solitary atOnement for The past or pledge
of amendment for the future. The indi-
cations which have been given here, since
the assembling of Congress, are too signi-
ficant to be misunderstood. The Con.
vention at Baltimore will have nothing 10
do but to register and proclaim the ed,ct
of the caucus in the Capitol.
In this stase of things are we, who have
so often testified in the face of the world
our deep and earnest convictions of the
fatal and demoralizing tendencies of Mr..
Van Buren's whole system of political
action, to stand aside with folded arms,
and to shrink into an inglorious, had
almost said reasonable neutrality, because
of some differences of opinion on s,,es=
tons of public policy from MIR. Clay,
which wise spirit of moderation. and
tine recognized abitrament of the public
will, are daily narrowing in magnitude
and extent2 | humbIy think not.
The election of Chief Magistrate Of
the nation is one of those vital processes
provided by the Constitution of the coun-
try for the periodical regeneration of our
system by fresh infusion into it of The
elements of popular health and virtue, in
which no good citizen, unless under cir
cumstances of a very peculiar Character,
can properly refuse TO take part, and, 10
the extent of his influence and example.
decided and efficient part. When the
vast moral and political influence of the
Office, as well as lis direct attributes of
positive and controlling power, are con-
sidered, it can never be matter of Indic
ference, or even of an equal balance of
countervailing motives of preference or
objection, who shall fill it. There is al.
ways a choice; aud though the making OF
that choice may sometimes be embarras-
sed by conflicting considerations, arising
out Of want of entire coincidence OF
opinion with either of the opposing can
didales, it is only the more incumbent on
| us to determine our preference with care
and deliberation, according to the besl
lights of our understandings and, when
once conscientiously formed, fearlessIy
/ and unhesitatingly 10 act it out.
Ia the approaching Presidential con.
test, then, we ought not and cannot be
| neutral; and if. as every thing now indi.
Gales is 10 be the case, that contest shall
be between Mr.. Van Buren, and Mr.. CIa,
] have as little hesitation IN saving tina
there is but one line of action by which
we can acquit ourselves of the full meas
ure of our duty to the country; and tina
is, waving all minor considerations. &c
give manly and determined support ,c
MIR. Clay in preference to Mr.. Van Blu
rem. For myself, can conceive of nc
greater calamity TO The nation, or deepe,
discredh te the cause and very name o
popular government, than the reelection
of Mr.. Van Buren, would be, after The
signal and overwhelming majority b,
which he was SO recently deposed from
power, upon the fullest canvass of hi:
measures. policy, and conduct.
The host Of vindictive passions which
follow in the tram of restored Govern
men.s-the crowds of hungry retalners
pleading the merit of past services WHIT
press forward to claim the reward ofthei
fidelity. or indemnity for sacrifices ant
losses incurredin the common cause--th,
infatuated and pertinacIous alta chment {,
ancient abuses-the arbitrary and sci
wllled habits nurtured in the former pos
session OF power-lhe commitment t.
iayorIte but pernicious schemes ofpolicy
have all concurred to give a sort of pro
verbal currency to the remark of a cele
oraIed English statesman and historian