Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1824-03-30

previous, must nave fGiateQ 10 the Gun
ninsham correspondence, and thai it in
tlmated uneasness on that account as
II MIR. Adams mind was laboring under
the consciousness of guilt, or as If it were
rot perfectly natural to express soliei-
tude, when attempted to be degraded in
the estimation OF long and tried friend.
The editor of the Gazette further affects
to consider the letter to MIR. Adams as
an act Of grace, and that in that act OF
grace here Is contained sharp and Sc
we're reproof. The reasons he assigns
Tor this, are equally novel and exlraord-
nary. 1t is because Mr.. Jefferson ex-
q esses indlgn atom al the person who
published Mr.. Adams confidential cor
fesp1ndence; and that indignation i'm
plies something calculated TO draw
curtain OF separation between them,
something that for MIR. Adams peace oil
mind ought TO have been kept secret.
In order to refute all this species OF rea-
sonins, and TO shew the fallacy Of con-
illusions drawn from premises too clear
TO be mistaken, IL would only be neces-
sary 10 exhibit, verbatim, Mr.. Jefierson's
letter. But in lieu of this we will en-
dearor to State its substance. Mr.. JEFF
lerson acknowledges, in the first place,
that his friendship for Mr.. ADAMS is CO.
eyal with the government, and that it is
now attempted to be poisoned, when 100
late IN lite To be replaced by new affec-
lions. lie candidly conlesses, that the
circumstances OF the times in which they
both happened to live, the partially OF
friends at some Particular periods, place ed
them IN apparent opposition, whieh some
might suppose 10 be personal. Bot this
he all ibules to enemies, who wished to
make il 50, by filling their ears with ma
lignant lasehoods, and endeavorinp to
instil into their minds things concerning
each other the most destitute Of truth
MIR. Jefferson goes on TO state that be
bad for some time observed dark hints,
and mysterious iDuendoes of cores.
pondence between Mr.. Adams and his
friend, which was about to be published.
The correspondence had not reached
Dim; but extracts had been given which
seemed the most likely to draw a cur
tain OF separation between them. Ii is
then that Mr.. J ..lferson expresses indig-
nation against the author Of this outrage
on private confidence, and tia, ii is the
duty OF every honorable mind to disap-
point Its aim, by opposing to its impress
sion seven fold shield of insensbiity
and apathy-but with him no such ar
NOR Is necessary. What are we to infer
from this, bur that Mr. Jefferson, aaying
seen the worst of this corresp ondcnce,
looks upon it as the macblna,ions OF en-
einies, who, as in torMer periods, are
deavoring to create an enmilv between
them, by insiilling into their minds things
entirely destitute OF truth.
Our object in making these remarks is
not TO defend Mr.. Adams, " hose private
or political life is not properly before as
But II IS TO shew the method of cons'ruc-
ton adopted by the commentators OF the
day, to effect their political purposes !;
and al the same time TO protect Mr.. Jet
tersoD from an imputalion which his
friends have unthinkiugly thrown upon
hin. We would submit'to every can
did and ludicious mind, whether letter
OF this tenor, expressing, unequivocal!y,
that there is and has been warm and
continued friendship between the parties,
uninterrupted, save by causes without
truth or foundation, expressing as it does,
not only detestation at the auempt 10
destroy the harmony existing between
them, but giving the most pointed as
suraDces that nothing shall shake their
mutual good understanding, can be con-
strued to mean sharp and severe re-
proof. What sort Of construction would
this be? Because one man tells gnother
he is his friend, and disbelieves every
thing laid to his charge, are we to draw
the inference that he believes them all
o be true, and disapproyes Of his con,
duct? If Mr.. Adams, in the CORES pond
ence, has exhibited charges injurious to
the private or public character of Mr..
Jefferson, is it to be supposed that man
of his temperament, who has lived with
out reproach from the cradle, who has
been deep in the confidence of the nation,
and weathered the storm of the revolu.
ION, in which he bore so conspicuous a
part, would, under the semblance OF
friendship, acquit him, and give further
assurances of great respect aud esteem
Such a superstition would be ridiculous !;
and our political commentators, in order
10 effect their purposes, are forced to
give him an air of hypocrisy, which little
conports with the stern virtues and re-
publican principles of Mr.. Jefferson.