Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1844-02-01
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From the Jeffersonian Republican.
MR.. w. G. RIVFS

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From the Jeffersonian Republican.
Mr.. W. c. RIVES.
Verify this gentleman is a hard task
master. He has shifted his position so
frequently, turned his coat SO very Of
ten, that his best friends scarcely Know
where TO find him, and scarcely know
him when they have, by diat of active
and unremitting search. discovered his
whereabouts. The Phantom Shin at
sea has never so bothered the brain of
the honest tar 10 discover her bearings,
as this phantom politician has pes.ered
the few individuals. who vet cling to him.
to follow him in his 'windinsway.' lie
and his followers 1.-THE Spartan band!N
have been playing at hide and seek for
several years past, greatly to the delight,
no doubt, of Mr.. r.; whose vanity has
been much tickled at the anxiety shown
by the aforesaid Spartan band' to keen
up with him, in this cratic game. Well
he has come to anchor at last. and has
absolutely been so very condescendiag
as to unveil himself; and we have no
doubt that III his Utmost heart Gf its Sc.
crets could be KNOWN he uses the AFRO
CANT language of the 'veiIed prophet of
khorassan' to his deluded followers:
Here, We wise saints. behold your light, your
star
Ye ,coald be dupes and victims, and ye ere!
All badinage apart-Mr. Rives has
placed himself in a position harmless tc
his adyersaries and productive Of no sort
of advantage to his allies. His intlu-
ence, moral and political, is clean gone
forever His star is .entom3ed in
mighty and henceforth he will only be
regarded as beacon, a warning to poll
ticlans OF every school, that honesty is
the best policy;' and that whenever a
politician, no matter what his standing
and talents, merges his devotion TO prin-
ciple and love OF country IN ms own
phrenZied ambition, he is sure Of his re-
ward! to wit, the fate Of William G
Riyes.
4 spirit of undiscriminating charity,
might, perhaps, lead us to the conclusion
that the recent declaration OF this gen.
tleman in favor Of Henry Clay was the
result of sincere conviction that the
best interests of tie country, and his
own regard to consistent advocacy Of
principle, had induced him to take the
course he has determined on. For the
sake of public virtue and political integ-
rity we wish it were SO. But Clrcum-
stances connected with his course, Tor
the last year or two, uttef Y preclude
such a conclusion. Indeed, the tlimsy
veil, which he has thrown around his re-
cent movement only half conceals. half
discloses' the real motive bv which he IS
governed; and the slightest dissection
will serve to lay that motive bare to the
most casual observer. Can any one, for
one moment believe that a great prin-
cple could induce WILLIAM G. RlvEs
to .foAow the bold and reckless lead Of
HENRY CLAY,' to use phrase that will
be at once recognized by Mr.. Rives p
We shall see from MIR. Rives' own pub
lie acts;
The principal objections urged b. Mr..
Rives as far as we can gather them from
the letter to his friend and 'obe2ient SER
rant, ex-senator Fontaine, are
lst. That MIR. Van Buren, was de-
feated ir $40 by a signal and overwhcl-
ming majority
end. That the election of that distin-
guished gentleman would bring with il a
return to the glories and blessings of
the subtreasury system :'-and
5rd That MIR. Van Buren, is in favor
of the extension of the powers Of the
Federal Executive.
Upon the first we have but few words
to say. Ifthere be any validity in it. it
applies with three fold force to MIR.
Rives' new idol, and with thirty fold 10
Mr.. Rioes himself Mr. Clay was can
didate for the presidency iii 1924. and
was the hindermost of Eve, not having re-
ceived a vote to take him into the House
of Representatives Failing of his own
election he threw the whole weight of
his influence into the scale of the great
Northern agtator aud arch-encmy of the
South, John Quincy Adams; by whom,
he was, in return for the favor, made Sc
cretary of State. This fragrant outrage
upon the popular will was punished in
1928 as il deserved; and the coalition
administration IF adams and Clay was
driven from power, with every mark Of
popular indisnation-Kentucky, even,
giving majority of some thousands a.
gainst her favor;te son' In 1889 Mr..
Clay was again candidate for the pres
idency, and was again defeated; and