Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1859-10-05

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TO Aesss r. NJ Esiny, r. n. Cr;t,sder R;,LarJ >,
ganyhan, Ayrsd Jones, Wa. .Spraft Wsu s. E;,ld
Ihos H. Alier a'sd WD, ID. Beard, IYhig Comy,ifte,
Lexington, Missouri:
| Siks-Your kind letter inviting mn. In ,;s;, ~ Ia,
aud address uvcng of the Wings of I.f,ye,t. eoun,y
on the first Monday in October arrived here during INV
4"scnce on vs 10 some ircnds north Of the Missouri
consequently my answer has been some what deIayel
would be right glad to accept YOUR Imitation II
could do 30 without breach Of duty but canno, :
Tue fall terms OF our various courts are lust at hand N
that professional business will enyng. iii nv 60 a.,
months 10 really wish had AN oppor,u,;,x a.,
speak to the good Wings Of Lafayette in regard 20 the
course which IL becomes u.s. Wings to pursue in the
present mixed and critical state of poi,i,.I ,Gr. tn
few who have ~itisood all temptations TO abandon the
pure doctrines and renouuee the honored name of our
once glorious party, may surely now be trusted: for
protesting the truth Of the Constitution as und.,o,i
aud e1pounded by the fathers they have an,roveS ,hc
l in prosperity and in adversely through good r.por,
and through evil They have not been frgsned Iy ,h
passionate violence of fierce partisans Who ,bre.t, q,
ruin the country II not allowed to rule IL They b,vc
not been blinded to the true and lasting Interest of their
Nhoe country by the glare ot false issues and r,..,
projects gotten up in sectional str; and nr,
IN fratrcidai rage aud they have not been sedued o
desert ther Old true position patriotic duty by the
the spols with the strong"
The Whg party, whether In surcess or d.c.., -
Deen a"aSs respected even by it, adrersaries Why,
Because II Is intrinsicay respectable Conscous ~ s
own honesty intelligence aud patriotism IL rspeeteb H.
sell, and thus enforced the respect of others
while the Democratic and whig parties we're the only
Two antagonist powers and held divided sway in the a.
'aon there was this marked difference. between i, So
tens of discipline: Among the Democrats the ,bi,L;
was uoHe by very few all enunciatons OF princip. All
proganSles OF action, aud all special measure, M ,
portanee. we're determined by few leaders In co,v,
uoh or caucus; aud every private member from S.na
@ , uo" 70 simple voter, was required TO obey impl
cuy discipline was strict, and rigidy enforced .nd
hence the wonderful unanmity with which 1up,iI v.r
all the measures OF that party have been sustained
y. US msDers' however oppo lite TO each other prin-
ciple and policy. Among the Whigs ON the contrary
quite different system prevailed Their discipine Ti
the party ITSELF based upon the idea or thc n,aI
sehee rs Wen as the honesty and Patriotism of their
members Discipline was comparatively lax and tb.,.
was allowed TO every member large latitude of nrvs
judgment and individual opinion upon all u,cissr,iaI
eoeheS ana all incidental questions And hence the
frequent dnerences OF opinion among the most eminent
members OF the Wing party in its best days nnon ,
lateral questions. While this j. evidence Of ,b in,
enee anu freedom OF the Wing party. it may aso be
tue cause oil ITS deteat-for despotsm at the head of
nation or party has more energy than freedom and can
more easily accomplish its ends when no one b, IL
~ s' 20 oppose or question it, commands. But a party
success Won by tyrannizing the judgments and
consciences of men, is the success We d,.;rc r.
cause it Is wrong in itself and is al once an e,a "a
~ government ~ '''H
But the question returns upon us what ought tbcgb;
DO 10 the present crisis What can they do, Yon e.
'o " me IN your letter that the object Of this meeting
Is 10 ca together and reorganze the atte feme,
oi once glorious party believing a YOU do that !, !;
strong enough to eifec; some good purpose in cominc
eai les, surely, you are right! Ii il strong
in
passion and violence, not in urging extreme onn;on c
ehSiNe 70 Others and useless cause l,ut il, r,
ol eonclaiion and peace, and with the rr,ia,ca -
MODERATION which marked the character of Wbi i, 81
lays OF their glory. But it Is not stron. enonsb y, -
separately aud aloue To accomplish any raj ,,o1 r.
he country and for the cause OF truth and - ~. =;
must cooperate with the other elements of Onn,;,io =,
III Administration aud party which have DIVIDED ,b
lauoh into sectional factions, and have testrovcd lie
peAce anu confidence OF the country and endangered H.
80 s'''y. sueh cooperation demands no sacrifice Of
hiS prncples-not tittlr On the contrary 1, ro,,;
he exercise OF the best attributes of a gerr Vti
nc PATRIOTISM winch would lead willingly 10 s,cri,i
'r personal preIudices and prepoSsessons Gf VI. bav
my ior tue public good-the courage which WonId en-,
'e US "nen iuy convinced OF the right TO mnintai :,
,ause. " rAiPs
This is all that is required for the accomplishment of
he good you indicate; and just this much think our
country requires OF us. lou not the first TO begin
he good work. Already the " higs IN several other
Virginia, North Carolns Kentucky |
Tennessee, and perhaps might add Louisiana and Tex
have begun their organization. In some of those
States they call themselves Whigs Ia Others the ODposi
lion. No matter which is used. The fact will |
peak for ITSELF and united opposition will insure sue
cess
During this year have had occasion to write so many
eticrs in answer to calls like yours that am unwilling
trouble YOU with any detailed statement of INV views
upon tue various topics which your letter necessarily
suggests Ny letter to the New York Whig Committee
asst spring aud my the committee of the Op
position Jubiee lately held Memphis Tennessee have
been extensively published aud probably have fallen uu-
der your observation. To them refer you, as a true
expression OF my opinions, as far aS they 20.
Thanking you for the invitation and st more hcar;i.
y for the respectful courtesy Of its term remain with
all respect,
Your obliged friend and fellow citizen,
EDw BATES.