Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1825-06-24
Tbe Constitutional glaDig,
CONVENTION.
To the Editors ofMe Engitue,

| the Address of the Loudoun Committee, have drawn
forth from Mr.. Mercer under the signature
of n Freeman IF 1895 and not little angry common
tary from others. An was indeed, expected
from Mr. Mercer but such answer as this con
ceved in transport rage and uttered IN ,hr,ks of
agony that distress the public sympathy. only iutcnd
ed TO disappont bis schemes if could by exposing the
true principles aud obvious tendency of heir and IN
regard 10 him personally, | said no more than
thought barely enough 60 make him feel that such en-
erprzes arc not 10 be prosecuted without sacri-
ice OF his tranquility. bore him no i'll will had
no design TO nfic the kind degree of pain which it
seems have INFLICTED; and find i'll it for
umph 1t is not that have put him ON tue rack That
busy restless spirit of his own, that impe him to
the blaze Of public attention. which often scorches and
sometimes consumes, forever forging more exquisite
ormens for ITSELF than the cruel tyrant ever in
vented.
shall not affect 10 hide the consciousness feel that
those personal allusions with which this gcneman's
publication abouuds aimed at the real author of
these pieces. am well known as if had signed nv
own name to them. To him am not a concealed au-
! thor. Let him and his friends improve as they NAV
every advantage of recriminaton which the unatoned
and unrepented SINS my political life, and every word
have ever uttered for the public, afford thcm-
ct shall still cOunue TO under the signature
of Mason Of 70; that for which Mr. Mercer pro
fesseSsuch profound veneraton, at the time that he
reprobatcs the Chief if not the only remaining monu-
inent of his wisdom
Whatever may be thought by Mr. Mercer himself mr.
by his coaduor, whom take be the 4ristoco,l of
the Constitutional Whig by that Friend of Eo,nL
Rights, who is iuminng the valley with the blaze of
his ZEAL by the impartial public the SEVERITY nv
! remarks on Mr. Mercer's conduct defy any man to
find in them single word of that coarse vulgar abuse
which, it sometimes soil the object at which ii is cast
never tails TO befoul the hand that casts IT. did not
and never will stoop gather and dispense any of those
flowers OF rhetoric, offensive TO the public of de-
cency which Mr. Mercer avishes on me so literally
and which he has certainly learned the use Of since
was in habits OF familiar intercourse with Linn. lie in
snuatcs that | atn disgrace to the profession OF the
law; aud describes me, IN plain terms, aitl.less
posltory OF his condolences teachcrous and cunning
position, suppose, TO innocent like kmseE) ar
asp'rant To the office of Grand LqustOr the place
OF Familiar of the lnquision, he moro profit
able task of the physician, hired study the pulse i'll
IN order to aggavae and protact the torture of its sub
Jects that Is to las understand III report tic
exact moment OF fdtHflh%. lie talks OF my eXtraord-
nary viuIeucc enbiltecd By wouniel pride my aflec-
taiion III patriotism and beneYoence malignant char
Sei an insinnatoni grosSes ignorance lcigned and
dec ous fears folly laughed at OF malice to be
scorned; arrcg inflated vanity lacklcarnng and
''sl' majesty Aei e!,en Ire 6TaEciy oIivudes, that
of me, my merits or demerts his design 10
have spoken thus muctI" To all which shall answer
IN the words land e sill doubtless think with all the
sincerity Of Sir F'cgl Pfagiay3'.Iel me tell you
Nh bangle, tits damnd aiFronting you to suppose
am hurt" by such stuff as this.
Whoever goes into the newspapers 10 discuss any TO-
pic Of real interest, in regard which mems opinons
are at variance and their feelings excited must either
invoke the goddess of Dizziness his muse or tn,l.t
make up hi- mind beforehand TO bear all the reptoacl,
IS aud conuuehes, and scurrilitics which the rage or
tEe Inpotency OF his Anniversaries can heap upon him
Slouiu lose all sell respect II found myself aurered
disturbed by them i'll the least. Whether il will be re-
Sarded another proof fmy iulaIad vanity neither
know care-but feel, that | ain above tI, reach
OF these missiles, with whatever slight they may be
thrown.
The Friend IF Equal Rights has not hcsitated 10
place me among those UeTat acrite'S whom tue British
Government Is sah occasionally TO employ, defend
tqTatcd abuses against the benign spirit of Reform
! And at first | was not quite sure that Mr. Mercer
when he speaks of hUetias griters of ttr0 pelu nam
tfet did not IN the blindness OF his passion, some
--fF TlraE first Ii
port OF ms words; or, perhaps he intended me coupIi-
ncnt (after his mannerl since he classes me with Ed
nund Burke. As to the other now after all that
has past cannot ind 1t IN my heart suspect him of
intending insInuate a caiurnnJ so silly and so vile
Why MIR. Mercer should complain that am a faith
less depository ofh confidence am wholly at loss to
imagine He knows perfectly WE'LL that am not To be
provoked by any nsoence TO betray any confidence he
ever reposed me, whether OF political or of pri-
vae nature; and that have not fact made the least
allusion any of his actions or suerinrs opnions or
professions which do not strictly pertain his political
character, and which not notorious to the whole
yorld. Ills former opinions in favor Of the freehold
EquaIcaon OF suffrage, were repeatedly avowed the
E1oor OF the House oil Delegates. Every body knows
Just well as he l. that his discomfort with the Cen
erai Assembly of Virginia. originated its refusal TO
legitimate that spurious litter of unchartered banks
which he adopted with such imnodeTate affection; and
that it has been exasperated by his dsappont-
ment of certain military honor, which he thought no
more than his just due. T. indeed, thought so too; and
If he docs not know believe, that upon every oCCa-
sion could find, endeavoured zealously and TO the
utmost of my ability, to impress the same sentiment
upon Others and to soften and to extDgush the hostility
which had arisen against him. shall be pains
to- convince him of it. He has disappointed the esti
mate had formed Of him. Yet by means think
him weak wicked, but only unsteady and unsafe
The zeal Of his friends, consprng with that of bis
mics, has learn ascrbed to asperity ofmeaniDg
J which entered into my heart head l am not
responsible for their misapprehensons. As to any 1-
Udte of unhappDess under which he may be suC
ferng, said not one word that can be tortured into
ausion TO them; and truth, had thought con-
corning them, till he suspected of the ndeCency of
limiting at them. Ifhe be really suffering under any
private ills, which hope is not the case-why should
say, with perfect sincerity might, that am sorry
for them2 Mr. Mercer would not impute it to any pe-
uerous feeling, but 10 the atfectaon Of beuevoeuce y
Designing, perhaps, to shame my ignorance by the
display Of his learning this gentleman has thought
proper to express in Latn refer to his hinc m Lacl5-
mel the opinion he eutertans that the real motive of
my zeal to defeat his present enterprises is to be
found IN my envy of the fame he likely acquire,