Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-09-02
From The Republic.
THE DONALDSON CORRESPONDENCE RE

! excitement The public appearance of Giddings and
Chase IN friendly luxtaposion with General Comman-
der and Mr.. B. F. Hallett, shocks the rank and file
OF the National" Democracy, and threatens TO destroy
| the Unsubstantal edice Of concord and harmony
winch our contemporary oil the Union has been so
sedulousIy employed in erecting. The Union thinks
the matter a "buhbIe." We would remind our neigh
Dor tha"the earth hath bubbles the water has" and
that CHEESE Of them" If we can Judge of them by
the effect they producing, should say that they
fall among the Democracy like bullets than bub-
bles. Even the Union is compelled 10 admit that ST
genuine, they are cacu laed to throw suspicion upon
the political orthodoxy OF few individuals protesting
the faith Of Democracy" This is an important ad-
! mission; but does the Union intend to charge MIR
Donaldson or Nh. Greer with the forgery OF these
letters!
We are not now discussing the propriety of their
publication. That is domestic question for the
| Democracy TO settle among themselves. We have
nothing do with IT.. The letters given to the
world, and speak tor themselves. Ihey are not genu-
inc, the fact can be readily shown if they are real and
true lettets they are important in than one point
oview Ii they are alleged to be spurious and counter
teit, it rests upon the Democrats. who charge their
brother Democrats with the fraud to make good their
allegation.
But without denying the authenticity of the letters
| the Boston P0St seeks to diminish their importance
by detractng from the authority OF the committee to
whom they were addressed. This is what judicial
Democratic friend OF ours would call very technical
objection" II the Democrats involved in this matter
have gone beyond their warrants, and have assumed or
exercised doubtful powers that very good reason for
disavowing their official character in the prem ises
tnOu9n we cannot well Understand how 1t affects the
character OF the letters themselves. But we DO not
think 1t is by any means clear that Mr. Donaldson and
Mr. Greer have been acting without authority They NAV
not have been formally elected to fill the vacancies in
The committee occasioned by the death of their prede,
cessors but apprehend that these places are genav
ffled in quite informal manner, and that the
approval ofthe chairman is sufficient warrant for
any person 10 assume to act in the CAPACITY of n
committee man. This would not have been yery
regular, probably when the Locofoco party was ia lis
pamy DAYS OF discipline and organization, and when
il was very different thing to ''handle the wires"
from what it is In its days OF decrepitude and
dissolution 1t may be looked upon as sufficiently
regular Tor all practical purposes We apprehend there
fore, that Tor all substantial ends MI Donaldson and
Mr. Greer were quite as much at liberty to act as any
other members OF the committee. This question oil
authority seems to have occurred to the intelligent
editor of the Richmond Enquirer, who, like Mr.
Van Buren,, probably did not "have the pleasure Of
personal acquaintance" with his correspondent. MI
Richie, therefore, in his first letter throws out the
suggestion which we have placed in italics:
Enquirer OFFICE, RICHMOND
July S, 1851. {
DEAR SIR: l have now before me your favor of The
18th u Gust received, in which you say that in con.
sequence OF the death OF Ex-Governor Clara member
OF Inc Democratic National Committee, you address
me in relation to the calling of the Democratic Ma
tlonal Convention at the proper time and place, &c
for the information of the Democracy of Iowa I am
at loss exactly TO know what the object of your in.
qury may be, but Ipyesune, the Lutte Pres-
Dental ca'pd gn terminated the p0,ecrs Of all comna
D4Is
ocratlc National Convention, ceased. The time and
place Of holding the next National Convention have
not yet been discussed anywhere. presume that both
will be recommended by the Democratic members Of
the next Congress- or by the official action OF some
Democratic State Convention.
You suggest that should furnish ga list of Demo-
cratic correspondents" OF the different counties of Viz
giula being extremely useful to the Democratic
Congressman and edors.' | presume that YOU refer
to the committees in each county, So it strikes me
that In consequence of deaths, removals. &c. the list OF
| onr ~ H.
it might be better to wait until the Democracy of Vr-
glna have other convention preparatory to the Dem
ocratlc National Convention, when and perfect lists
will be made out and published Should have mis-
understood you, IN either particular, please write.
| am happy to know that gallant young Iowa has
proved herself the Constitution and the Uniop
and that ii no untoward events take place. she and old
Virginia will again stand on the platform flour
friends at the North shall do their whole duty, they
will save the Union, and obtain the control Of
afiars,so vital to the Constitution and the Union.
Yours, &C.,
WILLIAM F. RITCHIE.
N. GREER, ESQ.
Il would seem that Mr.. Richie, however, did not
deem worth while 10 inquire too curousIv into this
matter, Tor we find him addressing another letter TO
Mr. Greer, enclosing list of confidential correspon-
dents in the Old Dominion or the use of Mr. Greer:
ME-. RITcHIE.
RICHMOND, Va. July ID 1851
Dear Sir: Agreeably to request, send you below
the names OF prominent Democrats in the several coun.
ties OF Virginia 1t is as perfect it be made out
/
contemplated to have consultation meeting of the
Democratic National Committee, talk over he place
and time for holding the next Democratic National
Convention. The suggestion is good one: and yolr.
self and Mr. Croswell, and others in the vicinity might
address circular 10 each member of the committee
inviting them TO meet at the Astor House, some other
place IN New York at II m on the LIST of September
neyt. do not think it should be sooner.) If meet
ing be held, shall endeavor to be present.
In haste, yours, &c.
NATHANIEL GREER, esq.
| We feel bound, Notwithstanding to give the Democ.
racy the uil benefit Ct all the explanations that can be
made OF this extraordinary correspondence, and we
copy therefore the official, semoficaI announce
me mt from the Boston Post, dsavowng the authority
Of Mr. Greer and Mr.. Donaldson act or correSpon d
tor The committee. This disavowa may affect these
gentlemen and expose them TO the charge of having
violated the confidence OF their Democratic friends
but that we repeat, is family matter in which we teel
no interest:
From the Boston Post
! Irrational DEMOCRATIC CONVENT; oN-We ara all.
horZed state that there has been no Meeting Of tho
executive committee OF the National Democratic Com
mlttee in New York, or elsewhere, respecting Ma
tona Convention, as has been incorrectly stated in
several presses founded an article that originally
appeaes in the New York correspondence OF the Vim.
cennes Gazette. All that has been published or pre-
tended 70 have been done Oh this subject wholly
thorized from any official source, or from any member
OF the committee The subject OF meeting OF the Ma
tonal Committee at Washington during the session
OF Congress 10 consult with members the call fol
convention and obtain the best concentration of opn-
ion from all parts OF the Union 10 time and place
has been suggested but person has had authority 10
act or correspond on behalf of the committee nor has
any meeting been called OR held about it, There are
two or three vacancies--one in Texas, and one in
Iowa-caused by the lamened deaths of Mr.. Kauf-
man OF the iormer and Governor Clark Of the latter
Slate-bnt the vacancies have not been filed, and
not be filed without the official action of the commit
tee, or its executive members, which has been had
Mr. Donaldson, OF Texas, and Mr.. Greer of Iowa.
who have been represer ed as members OF the National
Committee, are not such, and have no authority what
ever to act or correspond for them. The represent
taton Of any concert correspondence between any
members OF the National Committee having 1.-The
slightest reference to the candidates of the National
Convention, is wholly false and untounded
With regard 10 ne insinuation Of the Union that
these letters lorgeries, have been furnished with
piece OF evidence extrinsic to the letters which leads
us to believe taat there is whatever for that
Journal to charge its Democratic friends with so grave