Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1827-06-16

MN oi the chaIgo nave pfeicrreu against MN
unless he proves 10 me his innocence.
The assertion, that entered bis office, and
requested him to dictate an apology, for charg-
ing him with having pulled himself, is flsc-it
as an unblushing faisehood, unparalleled in the
annals Of mendacity, and would not have been
| uttered, by a man, who has any regard for
truth and decepcy. When he complained 20
the proPretors Of this paper, that he had been
| injured, and asked redress, he was informed
that nothing more would be said on the SUBJ
| ject, unless the former Ediior Of the Ameii-
can would arow, that me present Editor
was not the author Of tie article imputed to
| him,
That gentleman. was then called upon, who
AZ first did not r>c6gnize the production, as his
| own; but alter some, reflection and considcra-
| tion, he remarked, tliat he believed he wrote
| 1t; though he could not speak definitely on the
subject. Under these circumstances, an cx-
planation was written and published; Just sucl,
an one as suited the proprietors of the paper
ana myself, without consulting the Editor OF
the American on the subject, and certainly
| without the least dictation. But l shall not
! stop TO notice all the fllsehoods the Editor OF
the American has uttered; as they arc not en-
titled to one moments attention. Relative to
4, the remark Of his never having exchanged an
hundred words with me, 1 have to say, that
until considered him unwo orihy Of my notice.
and was convinced, that should he il urrd by
associating myself, with u nan WHO had volun-
tarily degraded himself, and rendered himself
odious to the eyes of the public, sometimes
extended 10 him the cvilities and courtisies of
gentleman, but as soon found, that iMpu-
dencc, arrogance, conccit, and pomros ty were
| the most prominent traits in his character,
| refused him my society, and avoided him, as |
would the nusances of n Jakcs
II is amusing TO hear this individual talk
about the dignity Of the Press; and it induces
smile, when hear him rant about his pri-
| vate reputation, and the regard he has for the
dccencics of life. As well might Judas Iscariot
have talked about his sincerity, or Count BIs-
sctt Of his honesty. | am very much disposed
TO rest my private fame in the hands Of the
public, and should be equally willing to have
my life scrutinizcd, compared, and weighed,
in the balances with the man who assails me.
lie may talk about my standing as public
writer, as long as it suits him; and when |
am injured in the eyes of those who know ne,
| shall lament my hard fate, and shall consider
myself unworthy of place in this earthly
tabernacle. TO all the public newspapers OF
the town have Literally contributed; and
though l have been busy engaged since
became connected with this paper, for the
two months preceding the time when the Edi-
tor Of the American took his seat, wrote q
very large proportion of the original matter
that appeared in that paper, and for which
MIR. Carlile, the Publisher, gave me hand
some equivalent; and if l had been so disposed,
l could have had the situation the Editor Of
the American now enjoys, as was frequently
solicited, and as frequently refused the over
lures that were made me.
In former number Of the American, the
Editor charged me with having contributed to
a scandalous paper said to be published at Lex
ington, Kentucky. When he fabricated such
falsehood, his Imagination must have been
unusually fertile, for am not aware, that any
such paper was ever published in that state.
Whilst resident Of Kentucky, contributed
TO the Kentucky Gazette, edited by that ven-
| erablc patriarch ofthe West, Mr.. John Brad
ford; to the Monitor, edited by William Gibbs
Hunt, distinguished writer and scholar; and
to the Reporter, edited by Major Thomas
Smith, the nephew Of the Secretary Of State,
Mr.. Clay--and am quite certain, that either
of those papers, are as reputable as any one
! printed in the United States
The charge Of having wilfully mis-quoted the
language Of the Editor Of the American, is
untrue, and cannot be sustained by a solitary
fact. am not anxious to honor myself by
quoting any thing he writes, but when do so,
it is done correctly, and simply for the purpose
| of exposing the ignorance of man, who has
claimed for himself the attributes of literary
perfection.
But, as / am sensible that have already
degraded myself by wasting so much time in
speaking Of the Editor Of the Rhode Island
American and Providence Gazette, I will re-
tire, after simply remarking, that all ask of
him, is to mind his own affairs, and suffer me
to conduct mine, as best suits me.
AS for his writings, like mine, they are pub
lie game, and | shall treat them as shall best
please me, and shall not be intimdated by his
threats, or startled by his frowns. If wrong
him, he knows where TO find his remedy but
this will not do Intentionally; > and | shat
regard him just MS do any other person, hold.
ing the same relation 10 me that he does.
fancy the public, arc fully satisfied with
this subject Il am aware that have annoy
ed them, but assure them that have beer
driven to this method of obtaining redress, b,
a man, who has striven to deprive me Of the
means Of obtaining an honest livelihood, ant
has cYcrtcd himself TO PROSTATE me, anC
my young, and to me, interesting family. II,
shall not raduce me with impunity---nor shal
he by his calnnnies. blight tho fame and mem
ory of those who gave me existence.
SYLVESTER S. SOUTHWORTH.