The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1845-02-11
TO WILLIAM C. RIvEs, OF VIRGINIA.

TO WILLIAM G. RIVES, OF VIRGINIA.
Rumors thicken upon US as TO your contem
plated course ON the Texas question. The
Richmond Enquirer boldly declares that the
Wings of the General Assembly of Virginia,
abstain from expressing their true sentiments
on the conslitutionality of admitting Texas as
new State into the Union, because it ascrbes TO
you sentiments in opposition TO the measure.
Your able speech delivered during the last ses
sion does not now serve TO redeem you from The
charge of opposition to measure which you
then most ably advocated True, you voted
against the Trealy-you did not choose 10 sep
arate yourself from a party with which you,
a true Republicdn-identifed piM RepubH-
can principles during the most Of your Hte,
had, as we must ever believe, misakngy con
nected yourself. You may have preferred delay
then with view to give 10 Mr.. Clay the honor
of carrying out this great measure. But Mr..
Clay has been defeated. If ne could ever have
consummaIed the measure Of Annexation he has
now no longer the power. His requiem is sung
and eptaph written-and all that remains Of
him now is an I" hic jacet." Nor does the mea-
before the Senate proceed from an untriendy
quarter to the Wing party. 1t comes from
Wing in the House, and is endorsed by Wing
in the Senate. The Wing gentleman propo-
sing it, and the Wing gentlemen voting for it.
have risen superior 10 mere party trammels-
they have looked to the question as great ma
tonal question, in sight Of which, rarity can have
olo Lo, III ho
patriots. Those who have dared TO say that
VIM. c. Rives is not capable of similar act
of patriotism, we would feign believe know not
the man. We have seen him at another time
placed in trying circumstances, nobly and gal
lantly sustaining the right, in opposition TO the
formidable hosts led on 10 the assault by bold
and INSCRIPTIONS leaders We have not yet
forgo,tenIyOur power, as exhibited in the debates
of the extra session, when you stood by and de-
Tended Mr.. Tyler for a conscientious discharge
of iduty against the tremendous assaults which
were then made upon him. Wewell remember
how the Senate chamber, day by day, resounded
with your eloquence, and how firmly, against all
odds, you maintained the unconslitutionaity of
the Bank and indicated the doctrines of the old
Republican party. We are therefore prepared
to believe, and most firmly do we hope, that
you WILL upon this great occasion also soar
above the influence Of cliqueism, and be found
side by side with those patriots of the Wing
party who have so nobly done their duty 10 the
country, and the whole country. We have
lately seen the gathering of the mixed and vari-
Gus coored spirits assembled in Boston, and
desecrating Fanueil Hall by their presence
We have seen their resolves, boding no good TO
the Union. What say you? DO you, or will
you ever acknowledge yourself TO be in commu-
Mon with them2 Can you, even in appearance,
belong 10 fraternity of which Garrison and
Tappan, &c, &C., are the most prominent
members Can you be induced TO raise VITA
them the cuckoo cry of The want of constitu-
tional power in Congress 10 admit new State
into the Union? Does any one doubt but that
this shallow pretext is designed for the sole
purpose of misleading public opinion, and de-
feating a measure iraught with ncalculable
benefits TO the country, and which you have so
ably vindicated2 Can there be two readings
of the Constitution in this behalf Congress
Such is the plain and emphatic text of the Con-
sttution. How idle then TO attempt TO filter
itaway. Your constituents, the People OF Vir-
gina have put their Interpretation upon this
text. They demand at your hands TO carry out
their wishes-will you dlsappont their hopes
and expectations We will not believe it in
advance of your action. We have heard it
said that it will not do 10 give TO Mr.. Tyler's
Administration the honor of finishing this great
measure. This only comes from the wretched
maignants OF party, with whom it is impossi
bic for you TO consort. They consult nothing
but their ever-to.b e-despised haired Of man
who has done no more than obey the solemn
obligations of his oath of office. But, sir, you
know that whether the measure be consumma-
ted now or not, cannot affect his future fame
The People, the great People have decided in
favor Of Annexation-tbe House of Represen-
tatves have given expression TO their wishes,
and what shall follow through the action OF the
Senate, can in no way affect Mr.. Tyer's posi-
tion 10 history. If Senators shall not obey the
popular wish so plainly expressed if they will
not yield 10 instructions in their seats, one thing
is perfectly certain they 1oiH soon be instruct
ed out Of them. From you, we anticipate
wiser and more patriotic determination. In the
name of our common country, and Of your own
fair fame, do not disappoint US.
A MISTAKE.
Waehinofon writer in tho N Y Uer0Id