Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-10-30
TO My WING FRIENDS OF THE SIXTH CON
CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

10 struggle 10 us goal
$500 zzsa=aussuu-~un
TO MY WING FRIENDS OF THE SJyrp C,OA7
CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.
We haze met the enemy-and ace aye theirs.
Inc clrcumstances OF our late overwhelming de-
feat, was SO unlocked for, and contrary TO ali rea
sonable calculation, that men of all parties stand
amazed, and ask why and how it is. No one seems
ready to account for the disastrous result None sesn
prepared to explain why my vote now should fail 20
lar short OF the vote received iii 40, when il is
known that most OF those who voted for Mr. Lee ON
that occasion, voted for me on this. In 40, Mr. Sed-
don's vote was 2844-mine 245S-that of Mc lee,
3iI While 1t is true that portion of those 3i7 ,,;io
voted for Mr. Lee have chosen to keep alive and MR.
peuate that old feud, Uor what good purpose or Cor
whose advantage time may, perhaps, disclose) YET it
is also true that large majority OF them so far a
we can ascertain it, voted for at this elections that
If those who voted for me In 40, had done so agaia
my would have bsen some 25O larger tina befnre.
and when to this add the large number known to
have voted now, that did not at all in the last
election, If would appear that my vote now should
have sweIled to some four five hundred more than
at the last election which would have been sufficient
to insure our success; tor, although Mr. Caskies vote
IN Chesterfield is unaccouatabiy increased, beyond
any vote the party has given yet his aggregate
vote In the district does not exceed the number we
gave him credit for.
1t is apparent then, that have lost several hundred
OF those who have heretofore supported me- and were
not among those who took offence my course In The
Presidential election in lS4S. While IL may not be
ualnstuctlve to many 1t may satisfy the curiosity of
others to learn how this has been effected and since
the smoke OF The battle has passed away, | have
found no difficulty in accounting for it.
1t has unquestoneby to my mind been occasionrd
by my vote IN the Convention the Basis question
Most of the White Basis men in this district were of
the Democratic party, who never suffer such questions
to interrupt their fidelity TO party obligations;
quentIy did not secure vote from them There are
very many others who to this day have not the slight
est conception Of what the White or Mixed Basis
means heretofore, every maa IN Eastern Virginia
has been Mixed Basis man; the White Basis has
never been discussed before them; they know moth
ing OF the practical operation upon themselves be-
tween the two; they know not how far personal rights
OF men as cOnrasted with the rights of property (he
rghtsg property, say, not rights oproperty are con-
cerned and they have been led believe by the very
men who afterwards came INTO my support, that l had
committed some most outrageous an Eastern re-
preventative, In offering Compromise to the Conyen-
ton; when they themselves, together with those who
during the whole OF the last spring and summer were
actively engaged In stirring up discomfort and resent
lnent, came forward and voted tor the Constitution
which contains Compromise far less acceptable to
every reftecung Eastern man than mine, and one
against which lent whatever influence had in Con-
Venton, and resisted to the last. In other words
there were those The, in moment of excitement
raised the whrlwind, but could afterwards direct
the Storm
The truth is that the great error | committed, as
far as my present success concerned, was in en-
deaVorng IN the Convention to act the part of states
man, instead of that of demagogus in endeavorine
to make Constitution for the Stale of Virginia. in
stead OF Constitution for the county of Chesterfield;
in taking an enlarged and liberal view of every cues
tlon, instead OF narrow circumscrlbed and section
al view, to promote my own success in Short sac
rltced myself to sense of justice to the West, and
holy burning spirit OF patriotism to the State
but, so Tar from being dlsmaysd by the result, am
proud that had the moral courage to do Gin view of
all anticipated difficulties of which was forewarned)
what both my head and heart taught me to believe
was night and proper in itself If mad 1t to do over
again, would do as did before.
Having thus explained the cause of our defeat it
remains for me to state the particular objects of this
add ess.
tits in the first place to return my warmest. sim
cerest and most unaffected acknowledgements to those
never failing friends who have stood by, me through
good and evil report-who have been found by my
side IN SIX trials, and did not desert me in the sew
enthand 10 say that to the latest day of my existence
shall remember them with the most affectionate
gratitude.
In the second place, to inform them that | desire
my name should be forever Withdrawn from the po-
tcal arena. With the Wing party always expect
to act; with it always have acted. No treatment,
however ungrateful that may receive at its hands
can affect my principles, OF drive me from its support
long those principles cherished by the party
of those who nursed 1t in ils infancy rock
ed in its cradle, nartured it in manhood baed for
1t at every point sacrificed IN its cause all had, and
would now do more to perpeuate its name, and pre-
serve Its honor, than all those men combined who
with the hollow profession of Whggery on their lips
have stood patiently, not admirngly by and seen
inundated at fell blow by hands that thew had
| themselves aided TO upi although they had not the
courage themselves strike; while they have exult-
ngly boosted that 'this is our work-we have done
al last the deed it was our destiay TO performs
| can stand up against all the SANDER, and calum-
ny, and vituperaton of my Democratic assaants
and have never had any trouble in beating them
until they we've joined by hundreds from our own
ranks, but Cannot and will not, fight against the
Wing party; and ii harmony be restored to its dis
cordant ranks by the withdrawal of my name, so let
| it be! My enemies may exut this surrender; and
those who have sought 10 bring about this whdra wal
may exchange congratulations the acoompl sh-
men OF their ends but il the success of the party and
its principles can be promoted by it, shall look to the
end OF my pollt teal existence with indifference
and composure, it not heartfelt satisfaction. Indeed,
this is precisely What wanted to do last Summer,
but was overruled in my determination.
| Lastly, wish to address few words to my imme-
date friends, who justly at least naturally in
dignant at the result many OF whom are making rash
resolves to vote Wing ticket again-and threat
en- TO vote for the Democratic ticket in the fast ap-
preaching election for officers of the State | ask
why should you do thisl If you have been treated
badly by some protesting to be your friends, have you
met with more aid and comfort from those of the op
pose party! Your own party may not have dis
charged its duy-but what has the other party done 10
entitle it to your sympsthies! If those Wings who
now glory in their "Independence," have chosen to
sarihce their party, their principles, and an Admins
ation that they hypocrtcally profess to support, how
can you justify yourselves by initiating their example
and in an impulsive moment OF resentment and in a
spirit OF indignation at what you denounce reachery
IN them, ia turn sacrifice YOUR party, YOUR principles
and Administration that HONESTLY desire TO see
sustained! Rather show them your superiority: sham
them by your example; make them feel the unworhi
ness oil their misconduct by your own generous manly
honest devotion to the principles you profess. Banisl
then from your minds, entreat you my hi ,nds
all purpose OF abandoning your duty. lndu &c REL
sonally what feeling you choose towards those men
that you think have betrayed you into the enemy
power, but do not visit their sins the party Itself
but go forth, In the strength Of your power and sup
port the nominees OF your party-both Stale and oca
| bound aI atrin