Literary cadet, and Saturday evening bulletin. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1826-1827, 1826-08-26
PROVIDENCE.
HON. JOHN HOLMES, OF MAINE.

controversy has been called up between the honor
able gentleman whose name stands at the head Of
this article, and the periodical we have the honor
of conducting.
The controversy was unsought; il originated
at a moment when we little expected to be cali
ed upon to encounter the talents of the Honorable
Senator from Maine, though il is true, that in the
course OF preliminary transact ons, we did provoke
it-and now, fearless as to the result, commence
the combat.
Before we proceed to undertake TO make good
the charge preferred against Mr. Holmes of hav-
rug been the uublushing advocate Of domestic sla-
yery-it will be proper, in order TO keep our read
ers advised of the manner in which this discussion
was elected, to add few explanatory obser-
vations.
Some weeks since, Mr.. Holmes was pleased TO
notice in A CARD published in the Eastern Ar.
gus, an essay OF ours, relating to himself IN which
we spoke our sentiments concerning him with much
freedom and he denied, with much apparent
warmth, the charge made against him of having
advocated the celebrated Missouri Question, or OF
having taken any port in the debates which that
dstraciing Question elected tina. favored the slave
holding States, or which in effect advocated negro
slavery, and all the ills attending such curse, and
.uch plague spot. To this we replied, that our
assertions were true--were founded on facts and
4 the honorable gentleman was prepared to deny
lher, the affair susceptible ofeasy investigation
and we invited him TO undertake II. To this, Mr..
Holmes replied that he prepared 10 do so, if the
writer of the offensive article would surrender to
am his name, and it should prove that he the wri-
ter, was considered respectable by the community
which he resided. In reply to this, the follow
lug letter was addressed to him that evening which
we now present TO the public-although we did not
suppose, when il was written, that its contents
would ever gain publicity.
JOHN HoLMEs ofe stse'' senate ofs Editors
the Eastern Asu', Portland tMe)
PROVIDENCE Or. ~ August 5, 1926.
siR-1 have the honor to INFORM you, that ! am
the writer Of the article to which you refer 10 your
Card. am by birth hode-lslapder, by educa-
,Ion and adoption, kentuckiau. l am young
man. and, as you may consider, criminal one, be-
cause am not wealthy.
The Portrait of the Hon. John Holmes, which
resented to the public in the Cadet, was written
with hope. that should succeed IN serving that
administration, whose policy. aud whose purity
admire. ! was opposed 70 the election Of Mr. Ad-
ANS, and made every feeble effort was master OF,
30 defeat IT.
MIR. Clay was my candidate; but since lie ha.
been defeated, am content to sit down by the ad-
ninistraiion Of the man OF HI. choice.
Ny private character, believe. is beyond re-
proach; Ind solicit You TO enter the proposed con-
troversy. have ever admired your talents, but
. ,;co1 civ n
ces in Maine ito establish my credibiiy.
make this frank avowal, beca use it is due TO
you do not wish 10 sully your private fame, nor
have | endeavored to do so. Your public charac-
ter is public game. and ! have ventured to inyesti
gate it, our paper Of this evening contains my re-
ply To- YOUR Card
I have TO be yourvery os,dier, s,ryan.
SYLVESTER s. SouTHwoRTH.
II Eispetfectly proper TO offer few remarks on
the contents of this letter and they will be mcdo.
more for the sake Of doing justice to the pub
fishers of this paper, both of whom arc the warm
friends of MIR. Adams; than from any disposition
TO crafty the curiosity Of the honorable gentle
man, in whose hands our literary reputation, ond
political integrity, are in some degree placed.
The public, most probably, do not Gaze wha:
were, or were not the political feelings Of the hum
bic individual who has the honor Of conducting this
press during the Presidential Election, or a, any an
terror or subsequent period but since MIR. Holmes
has thought proper to make usc Of remarks con-
tanned in a confidential letter, ndited ia spirit oi
frankness and candor, he is not disposed to deny,
that he was, as far as his influence would extend,
and the eIusions Of his pen would so, the devoted
opposer of the interests Of Mr.. John Quincy Ad
ans and de, oted to the interests of Mr.. Clay.
1t was question rather about men, thun political
principles and he certainly had an undoubed right
10 preference Of his own, nor has any one right
TO quarrel with him about that preference. MIR.
Clay was not returned candidate TO the House Of
Representatives, and the Editor Of this paper from
that moment ceased to have any interest in tho al
fair, any further than that which was connected
with the good Of his country; and that taught him
to deprecate most sincerely, uny event that could
tend to the elevation of General Jackson to the
Chief Magistracy of the Union. Mr. Adams was
the successful candidate; he was constitutionaly
elected to the Office he now holds his adminstra-
tion, thus far, has been pure and patriotic; its
course has been marked by purity Of principle,
aud uprightncss ofpurpose, which should call forth
the admiration ofevery lover Of his country-and
we are not, even with our humble powers, dispos-
ed to oppose it.
AZ -. al kas ian