Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-08-20
RETIR EMENT OF MIR. SEDDON.

cents.
RETIREMENT OF MR.. seldom.
The Enquirer publishes an address from the
Hon. JAMES A. Seldom 'to the voters of the
SIKH Congressional District" which confirms
the report, briefly mentioned by us yesterday
that he had determined to retire from his position
as the Democ ratio candidate for Congress. He
Announces the fact in these terms:
81 am constrained, allo w-citizens, TO withdraw from
the position OF candidate for Congress, which has been
assigned me by the gene confidence OF my party in
the district. Neither political considerations, nor per-
sona preferences induce tas course; for such motives
had cheeriuliy Yielded and would have continued to
yield, AT the call OF constituency TO winch am Under
lasting obligations 10 all sincerity my sole controlling
motive is i'll health do not believe myself physically
capable OF encouutering the atgues OF canvass, OIL
il again honored oy the preference or the District, OF
adequately sustaining The grave responsibilities OF my
representative trust To this public confession OF my
nvadism, am naturally most averse, but to shrink
rom the avowal OF the fact would be consistent Meth
er with my Of duty nor with my obligations to
YOU My disease is not hope incurably liked on my
SYSTEM but being in its character ls disessngy
aggravated by fatigue excitement, and cannot dis
guise from myself that my only chance OF restoration
is to be found in the quiet, and remedial precautions
which private life will alone admit. Under these cir
cumstances my course is plain. Duty to myself, TO my
party and the district leaves me no alternative but to
retire. 1t might have bsen more Judicious to nave
which had been urged me ,or continued service IN
public e combined with deusve hopes OF relief which
could not help cherishing, caused me to delay ac-
Iion the latest practicable period. AS this delay has
been manly owing to my uneigned anxiety to meet
the wishes OF my political friends it will trust receive
from them lenent construction and ready forgiveness
With sincere regrets for the cause of Mr..
Seddon's withdrawal, we must add the cheerful
testimony of an opponent, that his public course,
hor Obi 40 for
reasons, was always characterized by manliness,
sincerity and real devotion to the interests of the
South. 1t is very far from being our opinion,
that Mr.. Seddons sort of Southernism is best
calculated to promote Southern interests, and
give security to Southe IN rights; but if he has
erred, it was error in just cause and honestly
committed, which is always to be respected,
though it be quite as dangerous as more culpabe
obliquity.
Having stated the reasons why he is con-
strained to resign his candidacy, Mr.. Seldom
iudulges, at some length, in valedctory re-
situation of the district, referring doubtless.
to the fact that the Wings have no candi-
date before the people, renders it less like
ly that his withdrawal will injure the DEM
ocratc cause; and then he suggests that a new
candidate could not be subject to the objections
that might be raised to his course in Congress,
though he discams having any mistrust of re-
tanning the general support of his party. He goes
on to take very gloomy view of the Northern
horizon. In the Compromise measures, he thinks.
were the seeds of incalcu able future evils
which must "ripen to harvest of pernicious
mischief" The present ''partial reaction" in the
North against Abolition agitation he ascribes sole
ly to 1.-THE strong manifestations of discomfort
at the South" and he we'll adds, ga determine
ton there 10 endure no further aggression" and
he might better have added further, of deerml-
nation to insist upon the observance of the Com
promise measures. Notwithstanding the admitted
"reaction," Mr.. Seldom declares that the Adolf
ton party this day exalts its crest higher, and is
more bold defiant and numerous than at any pre-
vious period of our history" He describes in the
future great consolidated government.
Upon the subverled foundations of simple con-
sutional system, will be established tn worst form
OF despotlsm great consolidated government, with,
out limitation OF powers, administered at The VIII and
according TO the caprice or interests OF mere nuner-
ical majority
With this doieful prospect through the vista
the political future, MIR. Seldom closes his address
with an earnest appeal to the people of the dis
trct to watch vigianty the approach of wrong,
and maintain to the utmost the guaranteed rights
of their section-which is all very we'll, and we
would counsel it no less than Mr. Seldom. lie
enloins upon them. above all, to sustain the SOW
eregntes of the States, and (here ID hint per-
haps, at the doctrine of secesson) "their sacred
obligation ofinterposon for the defence or pro-
lection of their citizens against federal encroach-
ment." In1erposition is the word adopted in Mr..
Madison's famous resolutions, and we thank Mr.
Seldom for reyiying it. 1t is very different
word, and has a very different meaning from Sc
cession. "Be liberal and true (Mr. S. adds) to
representatives who are prompt to assert and vim
dicate your rights and steadfast to the friends Of
vonr section and its institution everywhere" This,
yo sunnose, is intended as kind lift to Mr.. Sed-
dou's friends, Messrs. Bocock, Averett, &c, but
the people will probably have the wisdom to dis
crimipate between violence and prudence, be-
tween a steady, discreet manner 0: sustaining the
Southern cause and those titful extrayagances
which mark the course of Southern ultras.
We do not sympathize with Mr. Seddon's
forebodings for the future, or assent 10 the view
he takes of the past. We believe, and think 1t
easily susceptible OF demons tration, that "Soutf-
ern rights" are this day better understood by The
people Of both sections, and more secure from