The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-05-20


amid disaster and defea--if the sun of Virginia s
glory were at all eclipsed-if In any respect, the
Old Dominion had been wrapped IN sackcloth and
ashes Far different, however, is her condition. |
leave her in the midst of her uiumphs. In Novem-
| Der last she carried out her great principles in the
election Of republican President by q majority of
near six thousand. During the last month, she has
followed up this victory by another, and one of the
most brilliant achievements which has ever graced
her annals. The laurel is still green upon her vene-
rabe brow; and leave her without the slightest
suspicion of teachery, or any faint of disgrace.
Younger, but not more jealous, hearts; stronger,
but not more eager arms, are ready TO support her
banner 10 their prudence, and TO their hrmness, !
commit that portion of the responsibility which has
hitherto fallen upon my shoulders.
leave the old Enquirer" with feelings similar to
those with which the veteran soldier surrenders his
arms; but have the consolation of rejecting, that
not only leave my political associates in the proud
possession Of the field of battle but that transfer
my sword TO my own sons. | give 1t to them, In
charge to defend the post which their father has at
tempted to guard for forty-one years--to main
tain your principles, and to uphold the char
acter of Virginia. On my own account, as
well theirs, | ask of you to extend
to them the same confidence and Kindness
which you have uniformly given to me. know
they are deeply dyed IN the wool of the republican
ialth--anxious to serve their country-and hope
competent to discharge the commission which /
of you, than to treat them you have treated me.
In political life of forty-one years, have proba-
bly, made some few personal enemles--iew, trust,
they are--perhaps as few most men may have
made. have brought, perhaps, some preludlces
around the Enquirer but | ask, in the name of
charity and of Justice, visit not my political sins up
ON my sons.
II is not necessary for to recapitulate at this
time the articles Of my faith. They are your own.
They are the same have protested for so many
years. They the with those of the present
editors Of the Enquirer, and it is therefore with
some confidence that | invoke on their behalf the
support of the people.
Were to venture TO leave with you one piece of
advice, of more importance than the rest it would
be to guard, with than vesal vigilance the pu
rty of the right of suffrage. II is the right
vauve of all the other rights Let this precious
privilege be corrupted and you poison liberty at her
very fountain. Destroy this cornerstone of the
building, and the whole structure of your political
institutions is IN danger of falling into ruins.
| Henceforth my will be stricken from
the firm of the Enquirer; and leave it to my sons
to make the best arrangements for your interests, as
Eight hours only separate me from my late abode;
but know not how long it will be before my press
ing engagements will enable to breathe, even for
a day, the air of Virginia. Yet am happy to say,
| that find warm hearts this side the Potomac as
on hai--not as many of them, perhaps. | have
during which have sojourned in this metropolis.
There is full scope and verge enough for any man
who wishes TO serve his country great interests to
maintain IN opposition to the claims of foreign
tions and great power invested in the federal gov
eminent, for veal or for wo. | find men here
willing, | honestly believe, and able, know to
maintain your rights and your interests--to "put
the government on the republican tack" and to ad-
minister the executive powers under the constitu-
ton, according to the Jefersonian standard. leone
here prepared TO cooperate with such men IN the
support of such principles; and trust, when the
time of settling up their trusteeship shall arrive, you
will not repent of bringing them into power, nor
political duties to discharge here that may require
all my energies, and almost all my time. Besides,
do not mean to confine "The Union" altogether to
politics. should not properly employ the facili-
ties which my position may give to me, if did
not at least attempt to call around me, for the
| benefit of the Union, most of the lights which
may be in possession of the government, or
which may be obtained through its enlightened
agents in foreign parts 1t will become the duty
of the press to bring the people of the States (to
whom this government belongs) well acquainted
with its transactions, as well as with the events,
prospects, and views of other countries. How far
may be able to succeed in making the press here
"bref abstract and chronicle of the times" will de-
pend upon circumstances, which may not yet be
| able TO understand or to calculate. l will attempt
| however, to do my duty. And one thing more |
will attempt to do, which is, if do not elevate,
will not debase dignity the prcss-that mirac-
ulous organ" to which free government, on an ex-
tended scale of empire, is much indebted for its
creation and preservation.
| cannot close this hasty valedctory, withou,
again expressing the sentiments Of gratitude and af
fecdon. with which am profoundly penetrated.
Yours, faithfully,
| VIZ .eurycro>, n n