Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1858-11-23

views. ] remarked in substance that II Col.
Martin was laboring under any embarrassment
in consequence Of our relations, personal, Po-
litical or official, would relieve him OF 1t as
soon as ! arrived in ClarkSburS. THIS was the
idea expressed ut all events. and carried It
out Immediately after | reached ClarkSburg. /
told Col. Martin that | well knew the strength
of his feelings towards me-. and his disposition
to serve me in any way in his power, without
Il sacrifice Of principle; that | had understood
from Mr.. Clemens. that he was embarrassed as
to the course NEST proper for him to pursue IN
the pending canvass, and that would relieve
him at once of all difficulty on that score by
declaring to him frankly that ! did not desire the
nomination for Governor, and preferred my
present office. | had not seen him since
the close Of the spring circuit, ut which
time my name had not been used i'll the
newspapers in connection with the office.
nor had any correspondence on the subject &C.
Cured between us, in the intervening time. lie
said that his OWN course in the matter was de-
cidcd on long since. and hat he did not know
on what authority Mr.. Clemens had represent
cd him as lalting between two opinions, Tor
that they had had no conversation on the sub
icct at ClarkSburg or elsewhere. ] regret TO
say that have miSlaid a letter from Col. Mar
tin detailing the substance ofour conversations
at ClarkSLurg on the subject. IL was received
from him about the middle of October, ard |
designed to publish it. IN %erttmso, as an appen-
dix To this communication. 1t would have con-
tirincd III every particular the statement have
given in this article of my declared position on
the Gubcrnatoria question.
Mr.. Clemens, in the first paragraph of his
statement" after detailing accurately much
that did say in our Grafton conversation,
saws that | remarked, as near rs he could re-
collect, that much of the zeal manifested to-
wards me, ! apprchcndcd, sprung from circum-
stances which he, Mr.. Clemens, would not
then repeat
Il will be readily understood that the allu-
sion here is to the course Of the Richmond
Enquirer" and the inference drawn by every
reader of the document probably was. that ]
had a,cribcd sinister motives To the Editors Of
that paper in their advocacy of my claims. The
truth is, that it was Mr.. Clemens himself who
attributed those motives, and that We did not
concur in our view of them. He seemed ex-
%trcnnclv anxious ia impress the idea on my
mind that the Editors were playing me false,
and that their object i'll arrayinS the names
and exratiating on the merits of several other
gentlemen, AS well aS Of myself, was not to
promote the selection of any of lis. but that of
a distinguished gentleman whom he spoke of
as their real avoritc. The idea, not expressed
in words but distinctly presented to my mind,
that any man or set of men would dare To use
me as a tool to accomplish the advancement of
the political fortunes of another, was offensive
TO me. and | repealed the suggestion with
warmth. as unjust both to the Editors and myself
said that | thought that Mr.. Clemens had
taken Il very erroneous view Of the course Of
the Enquirer" that | had no idea that was
an especial ~favoritc with the Editors, rs |
was personally a stranger to all Of them except
the senior; that the frequent use of my name
in the columns Of that paper was unPaiatablc
to me, rs did not desire the office inqucstiOn,
but that whatever might be thought Of their
course towards Il distinguished gentleman. !
thought there was no ground to question the
good faith of the Editors; that having avcrrcd,
publicly and repeatedly, the considerations Of
public policy, which induced them To oppose the
nomination of the very distinguished demo
crat last referred to, as one not tit TO be made
under the circumstances, the Editors were ell
dcavoring To ascertain who, among all The
other Democrats mentioned in the same con
%ncction, was the most available, lin order that
the influence of their paper might be brought
TO bear TO secure the nomination in his favor
| do not profess to state the language but TO
express the ideas, substantially, thrown out by
each ofus. That this conflict in our views did
exist. is shown by the closing paragraph of
Mr.. Clemens private letter to inc, written four
days after the conversation was held. The
letter was marked confidential" hut Mr..
Clemens has himself removed the seal o! conf
dcncc by incorporating his version of its con-
tents into his statement" His language is
There is no sincerity in the use Of your name
by certain parties connected with the 'Enqui-
rer.' If you are not satisfied now on that
score, you will he before many years
The only apology can offer, gentlemen, for
the length of this communication, prepared As
it was in the midst Of cngroSsing laborS of a
public, or yua.i public nature, is that once
offered by Lord Chesterfield, in closing 4 long
letter to Il lricnd.-"l had not time to make 1t
shorter" Yours, very respectfully,
JOHN W. BROCKENBR0uGll.