Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1847-04-15

stance eu, vague presumption against him: that poll
eian Of his bold and decided character must necessarily
have made many enemies from whom oboquy and Islander
were TO be expected; and that he has and re-
pea'edy denied tho changes deded his and eha
ensed inqusuon into his private life. In OF this
10 scarcely possible TO prove negative; and under the
citeumstanees tho method he has adopted il probably
ar and complete vndcaton such vague and irrcspon
siblo mputaiOns will ever admit.
As 10 the second charge, Is not denied that Mr. r. ia
in debit and II he has failed to meet his engage
ment o which however the present writer nothing
should be remembered that he has always
ardent and sangune temperament whose calculations
oicn disappointed by unforeseen conting aud this
alone may to explain his conduct without in the
least degree impeaehing his sincerity and fair dealing
But waving these considerations let us examine this
subject general principles and with reference to our
eounuys good. which is the only safe criterion by which
political duty can DO measured.
Government is Instituted for the common benefit Of all
To sccuic this end, the submission OF all TO the laws is
positive duy and respect and obedience au
hNr'nes rs required by religion and reason. though their
private characters may demand the sovcrost
And tho reason Of this that II any deviation
from sauary general rule IS permitted. the principle
adopted for the conservation OF tho whole ntngcd and
nnumefable evils following the precedent may be
the result In such the necessity being imperative
conscience discharged from all inquiry into the private
Character OF official suPerors ON the ground OF enlarged
aud enlightened cNpcdicncy.
Now, consider for a whether the same principle
~ not IN measure involved IN the present We be
le'e the general good Is vitality interested in the
Of our causc,-a cause 10 which, in opinion mo-
raly and religion not indifferent To secure success
the union at the Wings indispensable nor union be
attained but by some conventional agreement OF the
Jory, IN which the Others acquiescc, combine their
tered forces upon chosen candidate But every man
feels at liberty 70 disregard altogether the decision of the
majority to inquire ngdly into the private character OF
his candidate, as IT they had common conscience and
To yield nothing OF individual preference those broader
principles adopted the general good is It not OBJ
Nous that party composed OF such materials always
be defeated. and that the evil the country assuming their
political measures be Just and beneciaD will be greater
than that they thus seek to counterya
II rs tar from being commended that regard ought ever
10 be paid TO the candidates moral character II be
that an evil certainly and the question which each must
decide (and decide upon principles general good not
private conseenccl whether that specific evil be greater
or less than the evil Of cndangcng an important election
ami establishing precedent which ii followed, is likely
bring 50 much additional evil in its train.
In this case whether the Wings ought consider il bet
ter TO elect Mr. h. let him be defeated under the
troll Of principle involving the evils already indicated ap
pears too plain 10 admit much doubt Ii will be worse than
VAIN TO adopt criterion o. candidates qualifications
which not required by the mo-ll sense OF majority of
the community For (bcsdcs the elements deiea, and
anarchy thus inoduced) this strcer either
coed ofial; II fails, will be utterly powerless OF good
after having provoked the hostility OF those who think diff
ierenty, by which the morality they would promote will
seriously suffer. Ii 1t succeeds the puritan test thus intro
duccd, will foster hypocrisy, Ill, it threatens the destruction
OF all that sincere and manly in the characters OF pub
lie men.
The charges against Mr. B. are the same which, on ap-
paIcnty much better grounds brought against Chas
Jas Fox the great English Wing leader hall century
sembaHce than any other prominent politician OF our day.
There is the same active, versatile and vgiant mnd the
same ardent frank and fearless bearing and what in The
British statesman more questionable unwaycring f.
deity 10 his principles asd party, though severely put TO
proof by frequent defeats by powerful hostility and by the
sPoils OF oihce held the reward Of uoachery Yet
II the Wings Of England right in adhering 10 Mr.
tox with such enthusiastic DEVOTION because ne was In
their esteem 50 important agent Of the public good why
should not we, for similar reasons give alike cordial and
efficient support Mr. We all remember his FIST an
peaTlnee IN Congress; the surprise and admiration his
ability as prompt ana powerful debaer excited; and the
deepening confidence he by the display Of fidelity
which neither fear interest could snake His warm
feelings may have hurried him into ind discretion al times
but remember he then yvung politician and fresh in
public lie since that time his powers have ripened by
years Of almost ncessant exercise and his once too ar
dent temperament doubtless sobered in measure by ex
Perience and reflection.
so happens that before the Convention in January
last the writer OF s preferred another candidate and did
what he could 10 procure his nomination. But after the
Convention had decided, he considered the question no
longer an open one; and therefore did what he thinks all
good Wings ought have done, renquishod his opposition
10 Mr. B. aat determined to cooperate zeaousy in securing
his election. For the friends any candidate who rccel
we'd the nomination would consider those who refused to
unite with tncm acting improperly, they ought TO adopt
the same rule relation themselves when the position
OF things Is reversed
Something nigh. be added about the Importance of tho
approaching election; but much space than was de-
signed having already been occupied such considerations
are et 10 be enforced by every Wings own reflection