Moral and Political Welfare of the Country.

Bridgewater, Va
July 31

Majr. James T. Gleave
Buffalo Ford
Wythe
County
Virginia

July 30^th 1847

Dear Nephew

Being at leisure and feeling a great anxiety for the welfare of my country morally and politically, not so much on my own account, as for my offspring, and yours, together with the residue of the people of this once happy, free and independent United States until with our free will and accord we placed at the helm of affairs the man whom Thos Ritchie publicly proclaimed that he (Andrew Jackson’s) elevation to the chief Magistracy would be one of the greatest curses that ever befell us as a Nation, which was more truth that he has ever published since, for he assumed to himself infallibility, and excommunicated every man who could not subscribe to ever article, big and little, of the party faith – to every matter of detail and form, as well as to ever essential point of principle, they become, instead of conservatives of freedom, its most fatal enemies, and upon the ruins of free thought and personal independence, erect a despotern more degrading than that of sceptered authority. --  It is the everlasting share of one of the most prominent administration leaders of the day, that he unblushingly proclaimed a rule of action for party which would better have become a chief of robbers, or a pirate of the seas, than an American Statesman. –“To the victor belongs the spoils.” – And upon the principle, whether avowed or not, Democratic Administrations have acted for nearly sixteen years – like villains flying to the battlefield to feast upon the putrid victims, and grow fat upon the decay of human flesh. – Swarm after swarm of hungry office seekers have followed every Triumphal Presidential march to the capitol, and satiated their ravenous Maws upon a reeking banquet of political corruption. – Party, in its worst aspect, has run riot in the administration of our government, from the hour of Genl Jackson’s inauguration – and now in its old age, this hopeless sinner, grown grey in inequity, and more hardened than adamant in habitual sins, startled with it dying pangs, raves wildly of principle, consistency and political virtue. --  It talks of fixed sentiments when its exulting

and political virtue. --  It talks of fixed sentiments when its exulting boast has hitherto been of Progress, and its progress has been an eternal circle around the central sun of Patronage. --  The principles of Democracy now, and of Republicanism in the day of Madison, are as far apart as darkness and light. --  Opposition to executive encroachment, and encouragement of American Industry, have been discarded long ago, and all the old Republican marks lost sight of, as the Democratic ship, under a heavy press of canvass, has careened onward over an untraversed sea, in pursuit of her “manifest destiny.[“]

I claim for the Whigs of the Union that from the moment of their association, they have warred day and night against the excess of party – contending that its sole object should be the common good,  and that its successful candidate should so conduct the Administration of public affairs, and so distribute official gift, that in him “all parties could confide, all interests unite” – Hence so far from an abandonment of principle, it is but a strong reassertion and practical exemplification of their Ancient and cherished faith, when the Whigs rally upon Genl. Taylor who declares that he will not accept the Presidency as a party candidate – using the word, as he evidently does, in the acceptation which the course of events has unfortunately made common, to denote an instrument by which party is to obtain power, without regard to the general good – Upon the ground all patriots of ever name may well support Genl. Taylor, who, in assuming the Guardianship of the National family, will reek to remove domestic quarrels – to distribute equally paternal favor – and to know as sons, and treat as brethren, all who assemble in the household of a common country – Let our opponents, and their few panic struck friends in the Whig ranks, who think that when a man renounces party he renounces patriotism, reject, if they choose, the idea of a cessation of political hostilities, even for the brief period of one Presidential term. – It is not as impracticable or as absurd as they now think -  The day may soon come when the lion losing nothing of his nature but his ferocity, will lie down with the lamb, when the serpent of political hate, if not destroyed

will at least be deprived of his venomous fangs. – Party as it now exists is full of evils – party, as it might be constituted, an agent of good.  In the latter case, it may be the Angel that guards the paradise of Freedom – in the former it is the messenger of wrath, with flaming sword, preventing the return of a fallen race to a paradise their own folly has lost.

Your letter was gladly recd, which enables me to be better acquainted with the names of your family.  I have nothing to communicate that I can conceive will be interesting.  Our crops are a full acreage as it respects wheat, the prospects for corn are flattering, the grass crop is sparse, with some few exceptions.  My son Wm and Peter Hanger started yesterday on a tour expecting to be in Botetourt, Montgomery and perhaps Wythe.  They are in pursuit of a select lot of mules and horses, to fill  (obliterated) engagement, entered unto with some Gentlemen from the South.  Perhaps he may give you a call as he expresses a great desire to become acquainted with the family, but he is one of those kind of men who are willing to forego all kinds of pleasure for the sake of  business.  Myself and family are in good health[.  T]hey desire to be remembered to you and ever branch of your family.  Present my respects to your sister, Nancy, in the bonds of friendship.  If  I thought a letter from me would be agreeable to her, I would willing do myself the honor of addressing her in a manner that I am in hopes would amuse her for a short time.  I shall expect to hear from you on the receipt of this as I have no doubt it corroborates fully with your opinions and wishes as I believe you to be a true Republican[.  B]elieve me to be, your affectionate Uncle.

James Turk, Sr.

To James T. Gleaves

P.S.  Intend writing shortly to your son. S. C. Gleaves for whom I have formed a very exaulted opinion, having had an opportunity of conversing with Gentlemen who had the pleasure of an acquaintance with him.