THE T2 [ q N E

go, srom SENATOR E.ycs.
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| ,bs Richmond Wing OF Thursday, on the instance


~. ~ Dsrsonal friend Of the distinguished Senator,
10 - having learned that Mr.. Rives had written
y s1Y' Gentleman of Hanover Co. full expression
,s;s r;ews on the approaching Presidential cor


~. colicied and obtained g copy for publication


:. nsg n;I be seen that Mr. Rives, while frankly


ar,ping that his opinions on the Currency and
n;.tr;but;on are moi n accordance with Mr.


Claws. and on the Tariff not fully so, Is yet de-
o;dcHy in favor OF our Champion for next presi-


dent as against Martin Van Buren,. In this he


5,nbtless expresses the conviction oil that large


oa-tion of the Conservatives who have stood


a,oof from the struggles OF the last two yaaIs,
4 bnt who are now buckliDg on their armor tDr


dslernined contest with Van Buren and the Sub
Treasury Read, Wings! and rejoice with US


hat each day renders doubly sure our assurance


4 the election OF Henry CLAY.


WASHINGTON, January T. 1915
I Mr. DEAR SIR 1T seems 70 be now deinliyc-


" settled that the country IS TO be called upon to


retract the solemn decision pronounced by it in


1871 upon the dement's OF Mr.. Van Burens Ad.


miistration, and to restore him TO power without


solitary atonemont for the past OF pledge of


amendment for the future The indications
which have been given here since the assembling
Of Congress, are too significant 10 be ,nisunder-
Stood The Convention at Baltimore will have
nothing to do but to register and proclaim the
edict Of the caucus in the Capitol.


In this state OF things are we, who have 50
often testified in the face of the world our deep
and earnest convictions of the fatal and dcmoral-
izng tendencies OF Mr.. Van Burens whole sys-
tenn OF political action, to stand aside with fold
ed arms, and TO shrink into an inglorious, / had


almost said reasonable neutrality, because Of


some differences of opinion on questions Of pub
lie policy from Mr.. Clay, which wise spirit Of
moderation, and the recognized arbitranent Of
the public will, are daily narrowing II magnitude
and extent? humbiy think not


The election Of Chief Magistrate Of the nation
is one of those vital processes provided by the
Constitution OF the country for the periodical
regeneration OF our system by fresh infusion into
Of the elements OF the popular health and vlr-
tae, in which no good citizen, unless under cT-
cumstances of a very peculiar character, can
properly refuse to take a part, and, TO the extent
Ohis influence and example, a decided and ett!
cent part. When the vast moral and political
influence Of the Office well as It's direct attn
butes Of positive and controlling power, are CON
sidcred, it can never be matter OF indifference,
of an equal balance of countervailin@ mo-
tlves OF preference or objection, who shall I'LL IT.
There is always choice; and though the max
ing OF that choice may sometimes be cmbar-
rassed by conflicting considerations, arising
out Of want of entire coincidence of opinion
tlo
the more incumbent on us to dctCri.nc our pre-
ference with care and dc!ibcraton, according to
the best lights of our understandings and, when
once conscientiously formed, toaricssIy and u,l-
hesltatlngly to act 1t out


In the approaching Presidential! contest, then,
We ought not and cannot be neutral; and If, us
every thing nov indicates is 20 ho the case, that
contest shall be between Mr. Van Buren, and Mr.
Clay, have as little hesitatou in saying that
there is but one no oi action by which we can
acqult ourselves of the full measure Of our duty
10 the country; and that is, waving all minor
considerations, to give a manly and determined
support to Mr. Clay III preference TO Mr.. Van
Buren,. For myself, | can conceive of no greater
calamity to the nation, or deeper discrcdt TO the
cause and very name Of popular government,
Than the reelection OF Mr. Van Buren, would be,
alter the signal and overwhelming majority by
Which he was SO recently dep0Scd from power,
upon The fullest canvass of his measures, polcv,
and conduct.


The host of vindiclive passions winch follow IN
The tram OF restored Governments-the crowds ct
hungry retalners pleading the merit of past ser
wees, who press forward to claim the reward OF


eiF hdellty, Or indemnity for sacrifices and losses
incurred IN the common cause.-The infatuated
ana pertmacious attachment to ancient abuses
Tue arbitrary and sa-wliled habits nurturcd III The
iofmer possession OF power--tfe commitment 10
idVofle but pernclous schemes of policy, have all
cohcurred to give sort OF proverba currency TO
'ne remark OF a celebrated English statesman and
historian, that the worst and most dangerous oi
3t recolHf'onS is rcstoraton.- That al these
eVliS would be realized TO the widest extent, and
III ,helr most unmitigated virulcnce III the rcsto-
ration OF Mr.. Van Buren, none can doubt who
nave oeen attentive observers OF the selfish and
VICIOUS system OF party policy eXemphhcd N The
creed and conduct Of himself and ms friends, or
VINO nave not forgotten that memorable motto OF
party sagaclly, SO boldly emblaZoned on the shields
u ms chosen followers, which, IN ProclalmlnS
70 the Hctors belong the spollS OF the van
iusned,' shamelessy pointed TO the Offices and
Pa0hc trusts OF the country as the nghtiu plundeF
'i political warfare,


But to return to the remark / have already
mace. Could any thing inf,ct deeper wound
On the cause OF republican institutions than such
spectacle OF levity and instability on the part of
the constituent body as would be exhibited IN the
restoration of Mr.. Van Buren,, after the over
whelming condemnation of his administration
Pronounced by the almost unanimous electoral
Voice of the country but three short years ago p
Would it not render popular government a by
word and ,aunt" among the nations In 1910
the American people, upon the fullest and most
deliberate hearing of both sides OF the political
e0ntsoversy-of the friends as well as of the OPP
pOnents of Mr.. Van Buren-recorded their votes
against INN by such 2 majority as never before
ssnalized the retreat Of any minister from power
asd was Ill! then utterly unparalleled and even