Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1823-06-14
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From the Philadelphia Franklin Gazette.
THE PRESIDENCY.

Richmond Enqusrer- Richmond Par
ty-the .4dminfstration- SUPPRESSED
Docnments-Ilr. Crawford.
To the Editor ofthe Franklin Gazette.
Mr.. WorveH Having passed some
time in Washington during the last ses-
sion OF Congress, | was induced, at the
instance of a friend in your city, to COM
municate TO him such views, as the OPP
portunity there enabled me to give, in
relation to the approaching Presidential
Election. My letter was not long after
published in the Franklin Gazette, and
in various other papers throughout the
United States. have not seen nor
heard that any of its statements have
been con'roverted by newspaper writers,
nor contradicted by events, while some
ofthcm have been amply confirmed.
Subsequently, when some more i'm
portant new matter came to light, which
could not fail to have material bearing
on the great question, in omplianco
with previous promise, wrote again
to my correspondent, suggesting some OF
the effects which, upon dispassonate
view, this new matter would be likely
TO produce upon the public mind. This
second letter, though written with sa-
cred regard to truth, and certainly with
much moderation, has exposed me to
the charge of malignity and rancour."
by an Editor whose general conduct en-
titles him to respect, and whose denun-
Citations, however imprisoned, l shall
not affect to despise.
Although have had occasional OPP
portunities threading the Richmond En-
quirer, | am not subscriber, and the
papers containing the structures on my
communication, have but recently met
my eye, which l hope will be a sufficient
apology for this tardy notice Of them. 1t
is manifest that Mr.. Richie has keenly
felt my remarks, in the course which he
and some other politicians about Rich
mond, have pursued in relation to the
administration of Mr.. MONROE, and the
Presidential election. His remarks are
not in the usual tone of moderation,
which he assumes on almost all occa-
sions. Believing that he possessed en-
tire control over the political sentiments
of Virginia, founded on an unexampled
newspaper monopoly, Mr.. Richie seems
to have believed that he could lead the
state by suggestions and insinuations,
without presenting to the people the
reasons which ought to influence their
ecisions.-Hence, though his course
has not been unfrequently characterised
by impartiality and unfairness, he has al
ways assumed tone Of great apparent
moderation. Why has he departed
from it on this occasion, and infused into
his remarks SO much asperity and bitter
ness? My observations and reflections,
which called forth his remarks, were not
off character to irritate, or to justify the
temper which he has manifested. The
words "electioneering imhudence," were
written electioneering confidence" in
my former communication, as the Edi-
tor of the Franklin Gazette will perceive
by recurring to the manuscript. The
mistake appeared to me, at the time, to
be of too little consequence to ask COR
rcc,ion. II an explanation be desired,
| will add, that the expression was in
tended to mean, that confidence, which
men affect to feel, for the purpose of
making false impressions, on the minds
Of the credulous and uniformed. Such
is the CONFIDENCE with which Pennsylva-
MIA has been claimed by the friends of
Mr.. Crawford. IfMr. Richie has been
stung, the cause will be found in the
truth, and not in the severity of any of
my observations on him and his political
associates at. Richmond. IfaPichmond
party were mere phantom Of my brain,