Literary cadet, and Saturday evening bulletin. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1826-1827, 1827-02-24

has been addressed to the Committee, appoint
ed on the part of the House of Representatives TO
investiga ate the charges preferred against Mr.. Cal
noun by Elijah Mix. II is written in style, which
would do credit to any mans pen, and the warmth
discovered by Mr.. Nc Duie whilst vindicating his
friend and patron, creditable to his Of grat
itude and frendship. Much can be said with
propiety in favor Of he Letter, but there is also
much to be said against it, In one Of the para.
graphs the writer, makes deliberate and unman-
ly assault upon the Committee, and charges them
with being actuated by feelings Of political hostility
towards the Vice President, and in effect says that
previous to their assembling. they had prepared a
sentence of guilty to be pronounced upon Mr.. CAL
houn, and that finding after the investigation that
there was nothing 10 Justify such senteuce. rem
dered report to the House, which whilst il exon
Grated Mr.. Calhoun from the charges Of Mix, left
the world to infer, that he had been gnty of some
minor alterations of duty whilst holding the Office
Of Secretary Of War.
To the proceedings of the Committee, Mr.. Nc
DuiIie takes great exceptions, and goes into an ella
borate analysis of the principles of the Law of evil
dence, and accuses them OF having received tcsn-
mony altogether inadmissibe, and such as in
court of justice would have been unequivocaly
rejected.
In the course of his letter, he refers to Mix and
bestows upon him volley Of the most incorporate
and exaspsrated denuncstions, and such a, would
make an ordinary man quail to the very earth.
This letter, according to Mr.. Nc DUTIES own
statement, was written aud addressed to the
Committee, at tie particular request of Mr. CAL
hour and it is not little singular, that either the
principal or his friend should have dreampt TAX
ing such step after having, in terms Of strong So
licitaton, and manly indignation, succeeded in OBJ
tanning an investigation Of the Mix charges. Al
though Mr.. Calhoun has been honorably acquitted,
exceedingly doubt that this lsttsr will have any
good effect, or promote his popularity.
The general charges he has through his organ,
Mr.. McDufie, preferred against the Committee
and the complaints he has uttered, relative to the
long sitting Of the Committee, will not be we'll re-
ceived by his countrymen. No individual or politi-
cal partality exercised in raising the commit
tee, and when once apponted,no fault ought to have
been found by Mr.. Calhoun, if they occupied more
lime than suited his pleasure, in investigating his
conduct. lie should have reposed confidence in his
judges, and instead of denouncng the committee, as
inquisiorial political junto, he has, he should
have treated them with respect, and remembered
that the more scruinzing the investigation, if it
ssrminoted to his advantage, the more honorable
The acq quittal and the more brilliant would be his
triumph.
1t is but two years since Mr.. Clay, thsn charged
with one of the most odious offences a public man
be guilty Of called for an investigation of his Of
fca conduct, and how different was his department
when contrasted with that exhibited by Mr.. CAL
noun! When that independent minded gentleman,
found himself assailed by an infamous libeller,
charged with the crimes Of moral and political
ruption he met him with frmness aud decision, and
At first the base calumniator pretended he could
make good his allegations, aud with the erontery,
hat marks the career Of villain chuckled for
while in the very face Of his country, anil by spe
cies Of bravado, attempted to make the people be-
lieve, that the charges he preferred against spot
iess statesuoh, couiu not oe CouuoFefteu Ut Tepe-
led.
The Committee Of investigation, composed par.
TALLY Of the friends Of the then speaker, hut
jority Of which were his political enemies, was ap-
pointed; and when they demanded proofs Of the
accuser, he ngloriousy and basely shrunk from the
contest covered with nlamy and disgrace, and plead
non jurisdiction Of the house Of Rep ressntatives.
The Committee reported accordingly; AMI their
verdict left the vile accuser in the eyes of every
liberal mind guilty Of the most wilfu and
corrup. falsehoods, yet it left the Speaker to be
| traduced and impugned by his enemies; he com.
planned not, but 'purnng the cowardly assassin left
him and his coadJutors to make the most Of the r
| unhaliowed and infamous designs. He complained
not Of the Committee :--he obtained not the aid Of
friendly partizan to assail the moral or politi
cal integrity, though he might have done .o-bu
in the consciousness Of his innocence, hs
left the affair to be settled in the unbiased mind
Of his countrymen.
| Such a course, Mr.. Calhoun should have pur
| sued ;--and il he had done so be would have gain
ell place in.the affections Of their American peopl
which malignity could neither destroy or sssail
But by thus coming forward, aud msknga dlrec'
a malignant and an unprovoked assault on those ap