Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-04-09
.Nr. Pleasaats,


The Richmond Enquirer having made most I'M
warrdntaoie attack on the author of Philo Phocion
he sought to rcpel the nsinuatons of fe writer bv
Offering the enclosed defence of himself for pubca
ton, to the National lneliigencer but the editors
OF that paper, after retaining i. nearly two DAYS,
have returned ,with the declaration that they de-
ened publishing it on the ground that il was sner
sonal attack" Whilst he forbears to impuen the
wisdom Of their counsels, question the prudence
oil their determination, he regrets their Inability to
discriminate between an "difGcko and a defence :.
and IS sorry that their apprehensvencss lest they
should IAN In courtesy to the assailant, is much
stronger than their fear of Injustice the assaiIed
Piile Phocion thought there was propriety i'm vim
dicatlns himself in the pint in which lie first ap-
psared. He moreover believed, that he had claim
TO be permitted to defend himself in the 1ntellipen
Ger, as the editors had, with fsieady promptitudc
volunteered an apology for the Enquirer, which had
falsely ascribcd the "Virginian" to a member of
Congress from Virginia and thereby authorized the
inference, on the part of the public, who cannot be
supposed TO know the author of Philo Phocion, ge-
nerally, that the remarks of the Enquirer were ap-
plicable to him. THIS apology, which was entirely
unmcrited, as was anticipated, copied with
wonted adroitness into the Enquirer, the editor of
which was, no doubt well pleased having his eri-
limitations thus endorsed. eEo Phocion now sta nds
before the public, by the direct ertIon o. one pa
per, and the indirect testimony ef the other, as the
author of the "Virg;nian," who is accused bv the
IdiSSf.OOu, ana eatoneG
with the exposure Of his character. If an editor
may assaii the character of an individual in his own
paper, 10 which the party assaed is denied access
under his notions of editorial dignity, ~ he is to
other papers under those of editorial courtesy he is
far its power extend emit civ n; br mercy nj
the press. 1t denies justice, aad it, freedom is an
einpty boast. Believing, or she obvious truth OF
this remark, no less than from tn ui:orm regard ia
justice which has marked your professional course
that you will permit him defend himself in your
paper, Phio Phocion asks you o admit in it, the
enclosed remarks.
TO Mc Editors Of DE National HtfeHgencer
| MEssRs. EDIToRs-A late number of The Rich
rnond Enquirer contains an editorial article, which
ascrl5cs, by insinuation defence OF Gen. Jackson
against certain structures in that parer which an
pearcd short time since i'm the National Intelii-
genccr, over the signature of g Fircniar,n to the
author of Philo Phociou. Ph 10 Phocion IS to be
permitted, through the respectable vehicle in which
he FIRST appeared, to advise the writer Of the article
II the DETECTION should require too &c an eff
iort, TO essay the reality of that decortim and truth
the counterfeif prcsenment of which, he so strong
| " recommends TO the " Virgnan" The charge Of
faIsehood, uucercmoniously brought against the
" NJfsnian, does not bctoken an )ver-nice sense of
dccoFum; nor does the assertion, upon mere suspi-
cIon, Of his identity with Phlo Phocior, evincc the
most scrupuious exacttude in facts. The authos
to do him justice, has probably followed strictly the
advice he gives to the "Virginian be as decent
as he could; but while this concession furnishes an
ample apology for the discourtcsy of his language
il throws doubt the modesty of bis preten-
sons as an instructor III the art of good breeding.
Pbiio Phocon is not at all disposed question his a.
bfies as precepor within the sphere Of either his
pastor present cxperiucc; but he suspects Il at he
IS better teacher Of diagrams and dactyls Than Of
decornm dialectcs, and Of the diversified tactics
and thrifty rules of his art than of moral truth OF
political honour If Philo Phocion desideIated in
| struc,ion
To speak Greek
As naturally as pigs squeak