Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1852-05-04


perfect with the high character and integrity
which even the great of his political opponents have
always conceded 10 him
TO The Editors of the Enquirer:
The Of certain reccn, editorial articles
in The Richmond Wing requires that should maze puohc
the letter which addressed the Editor OF the Charotles-
| Vile Republican in November last
| To bic me do so, wrote 10 MIR. Alexander me
editor Saturday evening the 18th ns requesting true
cony al the earliest time practicable. Owing 10 Inc hicuP-
lions BY hinh waller did receive The copy TIL Frldhy
last; and considerations needless 20 mention have delayed
lis publication ill this time.
which the Wing had credited 10 the Charlottesville Repub
icnn had appeared in that paper did not remember 10
met the Editor yet had seen many Strangers since
the nominations in September ana had conYersed on the
subjects referred in the article, concluded that must
have somewhere seen him. al any rale ud moi question
that by what he had heard say or heard OF my saying,
he considered his statement Justified therefore deemed
the proper and respectful course TO refer TO him. and
cause the corrections DO given the public in the
per and in the manner in which the original state
mcn had been made.
The foiowng is my letter him according the copy
| ApposArroy Nov. Is 1851.
Mr. ALEXANDER Dear Sir: Al Lynchburg few days
ago. friend called my attention TO an article in the Rich
mond Whia quoting from your paper, in which you
seemed 10 say my authority that my connection with
The Wing party in former days lasted only few months
There Inns probably been misrepresentation which II Is
due 10 truth Ishuud correct Ii may have arisen from my
stating thai though voted for General Harrison in lSlO
back the democratic party few months afterwards
namely the time of lne extra session oil Congress called
by him which assembled, think in May AL and in which
the Wing party fairly developed lis principles and pocy
NV political history previously TO AL is briefly this
From carries, rccolcctou was an ardent admer OF the
doctrines and of the Republican party and rlolccd
the Of that patty in the elecnn and Reelection
Of Gen Jackson. My feelings however, ike those OF many
others had been BEFORE and have been since faithful
and true the democratic party became aenated rom
Gen jacksun's administration by his proclamation and
force bill and continued adverse his Mr. Van
Buren, ia The latter part Of The year 1884, purchased
s,n. freehold whether early enough 10 give vote in
the rlecOus of 1888 do remember From The time OF
my first 1885 or 35, till 1884, voted with the Wings
rxcept the congressional election
oil 1882 In that election regarding the independent tcasu
ry the chief issue and being in favor Of IT. voted
for the democratic candidate.
4, uckinghan February Court 1871, without my know
ledge or consent proclaimed Of the Wing candidates
the county Shortly after forwarded for publication in
The Richmond Wing, card declining 10 be candidate, hut
stating With Mr.. Peasants, the editor, was
not then acquainted He, however presume learned my
position from intimate friend-hcn member from my
county. BY that friend he addressed letter. taking
ground in favor OF State Rights Whgs and exhori-
ing me reconsider. la the meantime, he withheld the
publication OF my note thought ought not TO be can
ddalr and answered him Briefly insisting the pubica
ton my card which then appeared IL did not contain
any declarations OF position us from The late article in
the Wing, yon seem 10 have understood.
AT the next Court March, the Wings OF The county held
meeting in the Court House, and some OF the speakers
urged TO conscn: 10 become candidate still decl'ned
and did not intend to be- because felt that | should BE- in
unpleasant position ard suspected hat one object WIN
sume commit more deeply perhaps lrrerocably
TO the party with which others as wen as myself iofcsaw
could long continue was called on To state my oaec
TONS and then stated the neeling that while my feelings
had been with Wings against Mr. Van Buren,, yet upon
the great political questions opinions were with The de-
mocra,s Indeed had all times before, as since held and
expressed opinions against National Bank Protective Ia
riff the federal system OF internal improvements the dsion
,un The public land money and the loose construction OF
against Mr.. Clay who regarded as the great embodiment
of these My hope had been that most OF Inc
Wings in Virginia least their desired reform us to men
accomplished would full bacl upon the republican ground
pivngs of iErf organs and leaoers ALTER
their triumph in the Presidential contest Of 49, began 10
fear this would not be the case, and had no nienton
going with them Tor the and principles OF air.
Adams and Mr. Clay, which had ever been opposed
After what had said and very much TO my surprise was
still nominated by meeting; and yielding TO the Influence
of the Kindness and confidence that seemed 70 DC
implied in the numnaon accepted IT, and was voted io
generally by The Wings The election voting myself 10 re-
urn for The Wing candidates who were running with me
Bu felt The consrnt Of my position and took no part In
the political discussion OF the canvass pubic or private
That was the last tine ever voted with the Wings
During the period referred TO- asslduousy engaged
in nv profession Tutoring for competency taking little
interest IN the OF political events, and part in
politics. except According 10 the nomenclature OF
tina. day, State Rights Whg-not an original Whig
II is quite true, that during the whole time never would
supported Mr. C!a and that regards the doctrines
held ard acted by The Wha party since their accession
To power in lS4l never Wing. was
the Democratic uith but changed my position aud
united myself with those into whose ranks found my prn-
cp!cs impelcd me- Perhaps should have done so earlier
The consistency Of my Yates with opinions is question
| shall argue with Wig or Democrat do not claim
consistency | claim only the privilege OF getting right
when satisfied have been wrong. My for Cen Har-
rson in 40 whose name had rspudiaed in go am free
to admit and have often admitted, But il will
be remembered tina: in that campaign the Wing party in
Virginia took the ground OF reform The persons adj
minseriug the governments not Of any class of
line of policy The Wing address OF the people of the
Stale, if remember, Iatored 10 show that Gen Harrison
was entirely opposed TO a Bank; so much that he had
voted repeal the old Bank charter. This for
amuc. And participated in the strong feeling OF dislike
10 Mr.. Van Buren,. Whether this was just, have since
thought doubtful; for though his course has left him
| IYirnJs in ndC n INF
flee he was not unfuithiu To his previous pledges.
80 much as 10 my having been Wing Since lSil
have been with the Democrats in acon In opinion
They received me cordially have sustained BY their
several times since and was vi their presidential cleo
tors ISIS Those who know do not doubt me- nor have
reason think The Democracy OF The Stale doubt me-
With them expect TO remain identified, because well
satisfied those who agce the principles Of Govern
ought not 10 be separated by minor differences spe
CinI questions.
have felt bound to write thus for the purpose of correct
ing any mspprehenslons may have been under
sentiments respecting and enabling you
OF statement into which you may have fall
Though my letter is no, confidential, do
wish il published. The matters it relates TO- are of TOO little
consequence any wayo trouble the public with Please write
me in as to the prospects Of The ticket &c The
Wings be counting strong on Summers election
cannot think it. Very kindly and respectfully
w. p B0COCK.
left home before receiving any to the above and
casually Mr.. Alexander Richmond short time pre-
vously the election He informed me he had written and
learning had not received lie answer told what he
has since lied in his paper thai the article credited 10 the
Charlottesville Republican by The Whg had not in fact a-
pcard in that paper believe he added no had looked
for the article in HE Wing referred 10 in my letter. aud had
been able nd That's and under these circumstances he
said he had not made The corrections requested any
way noticed The subject in his paper.
had forgotten, if had noticed the date of the Wing
continuing tho article for had the paper only once
and at time when my thoughts otherwise much en-
poyed-for was just about 10 engage short notice.
discussion with Dir. Summers could, therefore, give Nj
A. further information than my letter contained and
do not cmcmher anything that passed between us on
the subject There time left for ascerainng where
the article did aprea and making The The way
judged right regretted the mistake of the Wing which
had made my attempted correction fail and the only course
that suggested itself was publication in the Wing Blu
this thought would subject misconslrucon as well
In OF the ime as OF the orsan and all things consi
dered did not think it proper appeal that paper
Besides had great confidence, still have that my &C.
quan,anccs, Wings Democrats who might have
article would set down 10 Misrepresentation of the edi-
tor intentional misrepresentation my part;
strangers, did not suppose they would take much in
in the subec, any way The public mind TOO
strongly directed TO the political history political can.
didaes, to think much about mine.
So much for failing take further steps when found that
the article had not appeared In The Charlottesville paper In