Literary cadet, and Saturday evening bulletin. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1826-1827, 1826-09-02
PROVIDENCE.
HON. JOHN HOLMES, OF MAINE.

fe-"au Heaven knows we have had our share
we have endeavo ored TO treat those " ith whom il
has been our fortune to be engaged, with decorum
and respect, whilst they have observed those rules
and principles which ought ever to regulate the
conduct of men OF honor
The discussion which we hoped to have had with
the Hon. John Holmes. of Maine. the public have
been informed by our .4vani Courier, the Editor*
of the Rhode Island American and Providence Ga.
zettc, has been suspended, so far as the Honorable
gentleman is concerned because, as he says he ha.
been" "INFoRMFD from high and indubaable author
ag, that 10 engage wih as moud be "A DEGRADE
TIoN"-hence, we have not the honor Of disputng
with one so high in office, and 30 adrantageously
known as a statesman, as a man Of consistency and
AS meek aud lowly follower oithe doctrines Of the
Gross.
When the affair commenced, we resolved, that
however much we might become interested in The
sequel or however far feelings might get enlist
ed, we would moi suffer ourselves to be carried
away by the whirlN inds of passion but on the con-
t'ary would strive to treat antagonist with that
decorum, to which his station and his age entitled
him. At the onset, however, he deemed il gentle
manly and courteous,to indulge in personalities and
viruent abuse, which went far consrnin lis to the
belief, that the gentleman although he had rushed
on TO the afliay, with all The rant and extravagani
defamation, of a bravardo would nslorously hyt
from the cont oversy, as soon as opportunity oc-
cured to allow him,to esearea combat which he had
rather courted, than reiused.-liow lar our antic-
pat ons have been realized, will be Shown by the fol-
lowing para aph, contained in the last Eastern
Argus, and which bears the signature the Hon.
John Holmes of Maine.
To the Editor Of he Argus :-SIR,-l have ar
rived ut all age when Il man instead OF acquiring
| a character should endeavor to preserve what 1T
| lie he may hare acquired. His reputation Is, IN
| some neusurc, the inheritance Of his children
whether COOL or bad, whether they sill or not.
| TO be charged the cfore as. The uabiushing adro-
cate ofdonesc slarery" and to be silent under such
| accu. alton, /. derecton OF duty to himself, his
andy an his country.
Having ,aken an active, and as ] believe an ec
| fcient part. in forming fnr Maine a Constitution
winch recognizes uaiuerSai freedom, having been
| reared from my infancy IN "a state recognizing the
same liberal principles, having always entertained,
| habtualy and conscienousy, an utter adherence
| OF slavery in whatever disguise, having never, to
|
er. or rights OF a muster, over single human be-
IN cit is not with the most comfortable emotions
hat at this period of liie ] have t" meet and re-
| pei this ex,aordnary aud atrocious charge.
| Ilmy" pubic character is public game" who
ever volunteers become the archer, should take
care that his arrows are no. polsoned with detrac-
| lion and falschood. lnordmate zeal for our coun-
! Try or its ADMINISTRATION. may excuse occasional
| errors and unchartaOle nierences, but decent
regard to individual character Is the ornament OF
| the patrot us well as The gentleman. Nothing c''n
| Justify calumny, and the Jealousy of patriotism
| should he tempered with charity and a sacred re-
| gard 10 truth.
| had promised that if the author of this charge
would give me his name and II was known to the
| public as respectahle, would meet and answer
! his proofs and arguments. He has furnished the
| name and had hoped .hat hing would occur to
induce a doubt oil his rcspectahility. Bm 1 hare
| IL from rery high and unquesii0nadle authority Hdi
| a roniyorersy ffiM him Woud be Il DEGRADATION.
am therefore constrained TO DECLINE Ir. New
ertheess this charge has been reiterated, and to
guard against the inference that this may he pre-
lerf to avoid the discussion, will present TO the
public. throug the medium OF your paper r.fufa-
ton founded on documents, most OF which are new
and :nterestiog particularly the letter o the Illus
rious patriot, whose loss we have so lately been
| ca led tn depore.
In this extract, the writer discovers childishness
oil ieNllnS, oispos toh w UtHe H'o 'hS
.ood graces of abused constituents, like the baby
of girl" and at the same moment admits all that
we could wish him to adlnit,- that he has been
guilty ofthe charges preferred against hlm To be
sure he does not sny that he has been the unbush-
iog advocate of domestic slavery, but the sckliness
of his manner, and the miserable appeal he makes
to the feelings of the independent people of Maine,
tell but too plainly that the arrows of guilty con-
science torment him; and that he is conscious that
he undertakes to refute shargc, which truth tells
him, is firmly and emphatically established.
.The genius who rresdes the Editorial destines
OF the American, has been particularly ofcIou3
AFFAIRS Before had opportunity Of replying to the
first Letter Mr. Homes he stepped forward, and pro-
claimed tho dec aration Of nky desperate bat
tie 0 words likely between the Cadet, and John
Holiness of Maine. fhs motives hadbc pure, though
his conduct was certainly obtruslve and gratuous,
should have thanked HIM for his int ,rierence but
they were not, and ho has betrayed spirit OF
intrinsic discrepancy Of mind, we treat hun as he should
be treated 1.-The has any political personal animoslty
towards u.s. let HIM on, IN his own columns, and
in his own way, and we will give him reception
This is " the time place, as Mr.. Holmes would
saw discuss affair with the Editor OF the American,
and we have disposition to quarrel with him, or any
other man. All we ask is, that he will allow us TO con-
duct our own affairs, IN way, and we hope he
will not obtrude himself where he is not wanted II he
provokes u.s. we shall be compelled to make expose,
which may not bc very grateful to his Senses or render