Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-08-18
RICHMOND, AUGUST Is.
To the Editors ofthe Enoyir,r.

gentlemen: have no disposition TO pursue the
controversy with Caius Gracious any farther
The argument between US, IL at an end-and might
! indeed very fairly have terminated az an earlier
| period. Bat his gross perversons of my original
| argument rendered explanations necessary and i.
IN making them, have ventGred to apply suiia-
bic corrective to overweening arrogance, find
my Justification, not less in the offence to be nun
ishsd than in the spirit in which my earlier for.
bearance smei Like the old man in the fable.
have resorted to stones, only when simpler wea-
pons had failed in their effect. And if Caus
Gracious is now smartnH under their opera,ion.
ne must blame, not the instruments of his correc.
ton, but the vanity which exposed him to their
peliings.
Before veniuring TO complain Of /" laborei pcr -
sonalities, representing them as tho shifts of
dsingenuousnes. and double DEALING" he ought, in
common prudence, to have adverted to tue fact.
that it was himself who first attempted 10 divert
the public mind from the subject in discussion, 10
the person and character of his opponent; and if he
had not been permitted to assail with mpun;,y the
principles, OF what he is pleased to designate az
e" club he must recolect that his investigation
OF those principles was combined, from the begin.
ming, with an indecorous attack on the integrity
and fair dealing of their supporters, and with
wretcbed attempt to draw down e" the execration
and horror" OF the community, on very respecta-
bic portion Of his fellow citizens
How far have been stimulated to the defence. in
which Ihave engaged, either by " religious en,hu-
siasm, CT by +" the lule troublesome vanity which
lis known 10 beset me-" must leave TO the iudg :
ment Of Others. cannot help hoping, however.
that in selecting motives OF action 70, me, my op-
ponent, with whom have not the pleasure of a
personal acquaintance,) has relied on the suse es-
lions OF his own exuberant fancy, rather than on
the information of others. And feel perfectly
assured that intelligent public will a, all events
vis, with spirit of indulgence, ga vanity" so
lile," as TO aspire only to reputation - to be
iron an a controversy 1c'ti Gains Gracious in
the public prints -
have not been guilty of the inconsistency
! charged upon me. Ii is very possible that in
imputing him, at first. both ingenuity and learn
ing" might las was n;imated to me, by very
respectable negbbor of his, and is confirm ed
by his own declaration have done him more than
justice. But as these were not wholly incompati-
BILE with inortliHate vanity, end presnmptuous ar
| rogsnce, have not felt myself debaned by early,
and Gas it would seem) unmerited praise, 4 ON APP.
plying the lash of iidicule to pretensions evident
iy beyond the reach OF argument advice; and il
my respect for his :. ingenuity and learning.
has undergone considerable diminution, that pub
lie to which he appeals, will attribute il, (I am
sure,) not so much TO any" varying humors'' oil
nine 10 the obvious intellectual descent, which
has marked his latter progress.
But ii is not my wish to be unjust Caius Grac
chus has talents and learning amply sufficient for
the sphere in which he was designed to move An
ingenuity less brilliant, education less polished
and facility Of expression less happy, than have
fallen to his lot. might make very respectable e.
CURE before an ordinary jury. These qualifications,
aided, they will be, by spirit of self-compla-
cency that can conceive no higher motive of action,
than " a reputation TO be won in a controversy
with Caius Gracious may very possibly fit him
for The new theatre on which he is about to act
They may even make him something, in body,
where, Gas once heard Mr., Randolph say in refe-
renee to similar body,) "cypbers do not always
pass for noughts.' But they have not qua
lifted him TO become public instructor, and if
the q" cacoethes scribendi'' has acquired hold
upon him absolutely irresistible, trust he will, a,
least, select, in future, other objects of attack,
than the benevolent institutions. and the religious
feelings OF the community in which he lives
OPiMlUS.
Fairfax county, August Sth, 1926.