Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1827-06-07

Col n N JshnssB and Mr. S-a,on Some
difference has arisen between Col. J1hoson, u.
5. Senator from Kentucky, and Mr. Sezton, one
Of the editors OF the National Inielligencer,
respecting conversation between them, in
which the latter represents the former as hav.
ing said, that the present administration must
be put down if they were as pure as the angels
in heaven. Col. Johnson writes long letter
on the subject to the editor of the L. States
Telegraph, in which he inyeighs agslnst what
he considers ga wsnton and unnecessary at
tempt to destroy the harmony OF social inter
course" and gross violation of private and per
sonal confidence. lie presents the conversation
as follows
81 expressed my deep regret that the print
ing of the laws had been transferred from the
lntelligencer TO the Journal, on account Of my
personal friendship TO Mr.. Seston and MIR
Gales, and expressed my doubts az 10 the pc.
Icy tthe measure in reference to the Admin
istration. In fact, stated that did not be-
leve II was wise measure, and that thought
it would do more harm than good Mr.. seaton
appeared deeply wounded, not much on
account Of any great pecun,aiy disadvantages
when w1ule result from the transfer, as the
act it4eit which he considered mark of dis
appreciation q his course, and an attempt to
iniure IN a small alilir which, was unworthy of
any admlnlstratIo ion --Lesrning from some of his
remarks that he considered MIR Clay his enemy,
| expressed surprise, and told HIM was un.
der an impression that there existed between
Mr.. Cav and himself the most perfect good
will and friendship recolleCt the very Ian.
guage Of Mr.. Seaton to this remark. He said
Mr.. Clay had no friendly feelings towards ham,
and never could have; that he knew Mr. CLAW
too well. and Mr.. Clay knew this fact too we'll.
ever to be his friend As | did not desire TO
hear any personal ineinuainas or charges,
did not ask for an explanation of what he
meant; nor did I know at that time, nor do
ever wish to know. to what facts he alluded.
waived this part of the conversation. by saying
to IN, in familiar style, that expected now
to see him break ground against the admins.
tration.-He said that he could not oppose the
measures of the admiaisl ration which he ap.
proved, on account of an injury done himself
personally by one Of It's memberships az.
swrr accorded with my own views of prOpriety,
and stated chat had acted, and should con
tmue to act, upon that principles thai 1 would
neither oppose what my Judgment approved
nor advocate what disapproved. on sccount OF
the Presidential question: that considered It
my duty to give to the administration every
opportunity to be judged by the correctness OF
| its measures; but as conscientiousy believed
that Gen. Jackson was, at the time ct MFR Ad.
! ans election, the decided choice of majorty
of the citizens OF the U. S., should feel my.
self justified, upon the principles Of free go
vernmeat, TO vote fer General Jackson at the
polls, although the administration might be as
pure - the angels IN heaven.--Aithough this
language may be too strong, and not proper
| tor such an occasion, yet other words which
DID not use have been added to give to my ex.
| pressions the appearance of profanity"
Mr.. Seaton, IN reply, protests against the l.
dea that tue conversation was private or conf
al iiaa tS-yag pps,f ip nal
| open, loud, and as public as the place permit.
led 1t tn belle adds--'there was athird per.
son present during part of II, and am not
| sure that there were not others within hearing
| He states the circumstances and purport Of tie
conversation IS follows
Some time in the session of 1885, ss ! was
! passing through the Senate chamber to the Sc.
| cretary's table. after the Senate had adjourned
| | was hailed BY Col Johnson (sitting near one
OF the fire places under the gallery, with one
other member standing or walking near hjm)
who in his familiar manner OF speabiag, SAID,
How goes It Old friend: We'll, when are you
| coming OutF
Edifor.-On what subject, Colonel
CoLJ.--Why, on the Presidential question.
Are you not coming out against the Admins.
tratOnl
Ed'rGr.-T can't tell The Administration
hashardty commenced it's career yet, and
don't see any thing so far to condesin
| COL J.-What OF that Has not Clay taken
| away the laws from your paper!
| Edissv.-frue, put that weuld be making
| private grievance motive for public conduct
and that We cannot do, however sore We may
! feelabout il. As for MIR. Clay, know he is no
friend OF ours; we opposed him, and | under.
stand that he has always been hostile to US and
our paper; but the administration may pursue
apology that we have approved in other admin
istra'ions, end it they do SO, how can we with
any consistency oppose them1
! Col johnson, with vehemence, and I think,
with an oa'h)--l would not care for that. If
any body injured me, would give them as
good as they sent and as for this administration,
| we VIII turn them out, as sure as there is a God
| in Heaven.
-t.d'tor.-But, Colonel, how can you say so,
! before you see what course the administration
will adopt Suppose they consult the public m.
'erest' ana pursue q course that you think right
| Col IL don't care: raising his arm. and
speaking with WARMTH Tor, by the Eternal e
| they act as pure as the angels that stand at he
| right hsnd OF God. wen put them down.
To this made no reply, but left the Col
! TO pursue the errand that carried ms IN the
Senate Chamber. The last remark astonished
and shocked me. and made an impression on
my mind too strong ever TO be efFaced. 7
| have stated II with fidelity that | would attes,
| at the last moment of my life and have relat.
ed the rest OF the conversation with substantial!
truth. Colonel Johnson gives a different turn
% his remarks, and no doubt honestly; but he
was so much excited, that he ought not TO be
loo confident IN the accuracy OF his memory. |
| ON as fully impressed as any man, with the de.
| licacy and unseemness of lightly reneo,;n,.