Daily American organ., 1856-09-04
A Misrepresentation.
WAsHNeTON CIrY, Sept 2, 1856.


To the Editor Of the American Organ:
DEAR SIR: A friend has called my attention to
an editorial in Saturdays Star, purporting to be a
correct definition of the political position assumed
by the Hon. w. c. Rives, Of Virginia, in the tri-
angular contest for the Presidency.
IL says that Mr.. Rives did apply for membership
In knoM-Nothing Lodge in Alexandra, and was
refused admission, upon the express ground that
he should have made application to Lodge loca-
ted in his own immediate district. That he subse-
quently did apply in Richmond to similar Lodge,
was accepted, admitted, and initiated in due FORM
and became a Know-Nothing de facto. This is the
statement in substance, find reported in that
truthful sheet published by the miserable tool Of
the present dynasty.
am directed by Virginian, personal and po-
litcal friend of Mr.. Rives to pronounce the state
ment in question tissue of falsehoods, and gross
misrepresentation, and to affirm, upon the au-
thority of my friend that Mr. Riyes never did APP
ply, either in Alexandra or Richmond, for admis.
sion in Lodge and that he is not aotc, and neueY
has been, directly or indirectly, connected or den-
tilted with any such organization denominated
" Known Nothings Americans" either in Vir-
ginia or elsewhere-on the contrary, he ia an
old-line Whig aud has been one since the
memorable session of 1887, when he abandoned
the so-called Democratic party, and has continued
TO act and cooperate with the old Wing party 30
long as il preserved its nationality as separate
and distinct organization. Inthe never-to-be-for-
gotten political revolution of 1910, which swept
like tornado over the whole country he support
ed General Harrison for the Presidency in 1874
he supported the immortal Clay for the Office,
who, according to Mr.. Clingman, of North Caro-
lina,) was defeated by the Catholic and foreign,
vote, and in 1s48 he stumped Virginia for Taylor,
and after his (Taylors) death warmly and cordially
oup tad ha al cd
ministration Of Fillmore, upon whom Providence
devolved the reins of government. In 1852, l
think Mr.. Rives was residing at Paris as Minister
Plenipotentiary to France, and during the Presi-
Dental canvass (Which elevated on the shields OF
twenty-seven States the present incumbent to the
Presidency was absent from the United States,
and therefore took no part in that contest though
it is well-known he was decidedly in favor cf Gem
eral Scott for that high and dignifed Office.
Since the dsbandment of the old Whg and
Democratic parties, as national and distinct sepa-
rate organizations, once formidable but now pow
eress, Mr. Rives still pertinaciously adheres to his
former conservative Whig principles, for, in re-
cent speech, delivered by him in Virginia, he reit-
Grated that he was an old Whig, and expected to
be one to the end of his life
Mr.. Rives has been selected by the Wing Con-
vention of his State as delegate to the National
Wing Convention which assemblies in Baltimore
on the 17th, in which it is thought at least fifteen
States of the Confederacy will be ably and fully
represented, and if the opinions already exhibited
by the old Wings in other States is fair indica--
tion of the feelings of the Wings generally, the
Baltimore Convention will unanimously endorse
the American nominees, Fillmore and Donelson,
the only national and conservative candidates be-
fore the American people for their sufrages for the
highest offices in the world. The result of the de-
liberations of that enlightened body will dispe all
doubts and fears, and insure the triumphant e1ec-
ton of the peoples candidates.
My friend likewise Informed me that in Virginia
the American and Whig parties are tremendously
and fraternally at work for Fillmore and Donelsop,
and that the 5000 old-line Wings who voted for
" Gzzard foot for Governor will undoubtedly
vote for the American nominees, thereby securing
to them the fifteen electoral votes TO which Vr-
ginia is entitled. The canvass in that State is
being prosecuted with indomitable vigor and per.
severing energy-its most eminent orators and
statesmen, Wing and American, are upon the
stump, and manfully battling for the Constitution,
Fillmore and the Union-mmense mass meetings
are being held throughout the State; daily Access
sons from the Democratic to the American party
are realized, and embrace some of the most influ-
entail and prominent men of the State Lately, Mr.,
Goode, Democratic elector, declined any longer to
serve, and gave in his adhesion to Fillmore, be.
cause Mr.. Buchanan had repudiated his own indi-
viduaty by accepting the Cincinnati platform, and
the odious doctrine of squater SOW
ereignty." 1t is contemplated, after the close of
the labors of the Baltimore Convention, to hold
grand mass barbecue in Richmond the arrange
ments are in progress, and will be made ON grand
and extensive scale seldom witnessed; it will con-
tinue whole week, and general invitation will be
extended to Southern friends of diverse politi-
cal sentiments to attend and have fair, full and
ample discussion of the claims of the rival candi-
dates of the respective parties for the Presidency
and Vice Presidency, and able and eloquent speak
ers will be summoned from all parts of the country
for that purpose Doubtless it will be the largest
political gathering ever assembled, and will furnish
rich and intellectual entertainment to those who
will avail themselves Of the privilege to attend
No doubt our friends in the District of Columbia
will send large delegation, as our Virginia con.
freres will be glad to receive their brethren en-
gagged in the same coed cause, and entertain them
with that genuine hospitality which so nobly and
peculiarly characterize them.
am, very respectfully yours,
AN 0LD.LINE CLAY WHIG.