Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1859-04-26
TUESDAY MORNING. APRIL 26, 1859.

N'>N w 1919, w lllidiii DHlllu ColitcIiucu, IL
every speech that he made, that there wa
much Democratic doctrine in the bsais princi
pies Of the American party. He maintained
their principles. Us u party, TO he much that Is
Democratic. but said that there was no neccs
sity fora separate or secret organization. =
There was no difference upon principle" he
tween him and the American party-it was
difference rs to organization only and, in
ls511, he declared that he stood then where he
did in 1850.
Not only did Mr.. Smith speak thus through
out that canvass. but, more than this, at a Dc
lnocratic meeting in Rappahannock county, a
resolution WAS offered, which was written by
Mr.. Smith-and tie original in his hand pri-
ting Is noo bGtore as-as follows:
Resolved, That We find in the Basis Prin-
ciples of the American party Of Virginia,
much that is Democratic and in the character
of their organization everything to condemn
hut there is nothing in its principles As pub
lishcd which require a separate or secret or
ganizltion and We therefore, earnestly implore
our Democratic friends TO stand firmly by their
association and name proudly determined to
bear aloil, as Of yorc, that glorious banner I'M
der which we have so often vindcated the
Constitution, maintained the conservative re-
ations of national liberty, and, in the name OF
the people, conquered.
Resolved. That We cordially approve the re-
preventative course of Gov. Smith. and that we
will support him for the same position"
Himself then candidate for Congress, the
above may be considered a, his authoritative
platform. Comment is scarcely necessary with
an intelligent people. If the declaration Of
the first resolution is correct in the eyes of De-
mocracy. if the Basis Principles Of the Ame-
rican party of Virginia contain much that is
democratic and if the character Of their or
ganization," only, is to he condemned, what
objection can Mr.. Smith urge to Mr.. Goggin,
who. having always stood aloG from the "se-
cret character of the organization, will main
tain to this day the Basis Principles Of the
American Party of Virginia
In the Rappahannock platform Of Mr.. Smith,
he calls on the Democrat, to stand firmly by
their association and namc"-thc candidates
and the principles may take care Of themselves,
81 long as the 'a>socation and name is main
taned and he takes good care TO make the
meeting 'tsrd by himself. as the second re-
solution shows.
The speeches Of Mr. Smith and his position
are too well known in the seventh District, to
need any further discussion Of the manner in
which the principles of the Democratic party
vii! he compromised by his reelection.
The oy,ni,atio" of the party in the Seventh
District has nerer been consulted by Mr. Smith
in his morbid appetite for office
Returning from California in 1855. he finds
the Opposition in the district very much eXas.
pcra,ed with Mr. James Barbour, for the man
ncr in which the State had been rc-dIstrictcd,
and determined to defeat Mr. Barbour if that
was possible. Mr. Smith in hot haste declares
himself ''unqualiiicdly candidate for your
suiirages." This remarkable manifesto was
dated lth of April. 1853. IRE doys before the
publication III the county Of the constitution
Of the district In the Flag of '9s, OF April
lG, 1853, this manifesto appears under date lth
April. 1853, and in the same paper in the adj
Joining column i to be found the publication
Of the districts. And in the same issue Of the
paper in another adjoining column will be found
the call bv Warrenton Mr.. Smiths own pre-.
cinct,1 for Convention and Of Orleans in
Fauquier county, and appointing delegates to
District Convention meeting in Rappahan-
mock in favor of Mr. Smith. So that simuln-
ncous.ly with his announcement there was
call from his ncighbors in Warrcnton for a Con-
vention.
The conclusion of this, his first pronun-
ciamcnto. after his return from California, will
refresh his Democratic heart, M"ugh the re-
fcction, as to $50 may not be so very agreeable
to himself or to many Of his present suppor'
tcrs:
..Fcllow.Ci,;zcu, In looking over the field Of my;
rast life sec an unhrokcn consistency ut political
1rinion and public conduct. In the dark hours oi
the Democratic party. was ever faithful amongS,
the Democratic standard, and Gen. jackson was nm,
able to preserve our ranks unbrokcn, sympathizcd
with the distress that astatcd your bosomS, and n-
shrinkinyly battled for your cause. In subsequent
rc-iods of gloom and disaster, you called Inc ever 70
the field OF strife, and with all the deep cners! GI ny
nut,,rc REGARDLESS OF the great sacrifices 1t lnv0lvcd,
s,rurylol and tocd ut your bidding. II Is plea
sant ior me 20 look back upon those fields; hnt u Is
said thrv dwell not in your memory; that time has
already swept them away, and that YOU are diSpn'ed
So, sIa rIf
20 take up new men, no: SGT proven III ,he s''.he,
1.,d. do not believe i. aud yet desire TO know
how the memories of the past are appreciated ~
present wish 10 SEQ you vindicuc yourselves, not
coidly hut ardcutly, against what regard an inpn-
,n.ion. Bat. above all, expect YOU TO give nhln'-
taxable evidence oi Your sense oi justice nna i""a
determination properly TO appreciate those who IN =
roncro, and devoted spirit yield I" your calls, ana
dedicate themselves 10 your service.
Gentlemen. | shall meet You u Your respective
courts and in the mean time Will merely Fef''rk
that feel full confidence that the will You may ex-
nrcss on the fourth Thursday of May next, will mol
only command general arirobation, but VIII give
new cviiencc Of the sensibiiiy and lm,tce ." Ire'
aud enlightened pconle. "M' SMllh
ALEXANDRIA, April II, l,"".
Wcare thus explicit about this first announce
ment orCiov. Smith because he has lately refer
red to it himself We think if the Alexandria
sentinel would reproduce all of that card ol
the llth of April, 1853, that paper would give
more light upon the convention record Of 6ov'
crnor Smith than is furnished by his letter o
April II, 1852.
Gov. Smith was elected in ls53-in $3.50
how did he preserve the o'gaai1"t'o" gf ht'
partv, In 1853 we have seen him. aided by
thc animo,ities of the opposition to Mr. Bar
bour. proslratc the District organization; and
in 1866 we find him in correspondence with the
encmy-and while protesting to owe allegiance
to Democracy, and holding high commission 1T
the ranks of our party, he is telcgraph'ng to the
camp Of the enemy how to circumvent the forces
of his protested friends, and to accomplish their
defeat. Such conduct, in state oil war; would
have met traitors doom. The walker Let
ter" will substantiatc these facts
Before introducing this now famous letter