Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-03-20
TO THE EDITORS.

GENTLEMEN: l observe in your paper OF this
morning, coarse ebullition Of passion over the
signature Of the brove Gen. RoMuLUs NJ. SAuN-
DERs, dated on board the Steamboat, the I'd OF
March, 1927, at night, some parts OF which |
wish room in your paper 10 notice.
The brave General commences with claim
ing right to be heard, because he had not an
opportunityof replying 10 certain remarks made
by me in debate. What prevented his having
an opportunity Of replying, so far as he knew,
when he left the city? He took his pay for the
full term, and fed on the I'd Of March, leaving
much important business undone, and his own
resolution (which, believe, is the only mea-
sure originated by him dusing the Congress)
undetermined, without knowing whether il
would BE- further acted on, or if he would have
an opportunity to reply.
The General next exults, that in his first
speech he confined himself TO the subject, ,cith-
out reaecting upon the private conduct or character
of any one! VIVA, astonishing forbearance!-
What cause Of exulta,ion for an honorable man!
lie (the general from North Carolina) made a
speech without rejecting upon the private con.
duct or character Of any one! In the second
speech, the General was not so forbearine; he
could not exult al his having omitted to reflect
on private character in that MIR BucKNER
| took exception, and said something about his
disposition to meet danger, sc. This, the Ge-
neral says, he "did not deem Of a character re.
quiring any particular notice at his hands. -
The notice taken OF the General by Mr. Buck
ner, was understood almost universally in the
House as hurting defiance at the General, with
uneI uiyocal limitations OF belief that he was
coward. The retreat Of the General will long
be remembered, and laughed at 1t was mas.
tery ofits kind and showed him an expert fo-
lower of Fals,aff. Selling the term prudence,
used by Mr. Buckuer, he sought 10 hide his
cowardice, by skuAfing under the mantle Of Fla.
bus, No, he die no, deem VIVA, MIR. b. said
as deserving any particular notice. "If Che
says had so considered it, or if it had been
| SO considered by others, whose opinions hold
in respect, as falling from man responsible
for what he said, and had suffered il to pass,
and should then notice AM thing personal from
The member from Ohio, should deserve the
epithet Of the mcanest poltroon in existence"
A narration Of very few facts, connected
with this business, will enable the curious
10 determine the true .<~,s 81 .'.i. 49,. oe"e-
| RAILS courage and conduct. The intimation
from Mr.. Buckner was understood and receive
ed as a charge Of cowardice by almost every
one; but the General thought the better part OF
,alor was discretion, and did not deem it wor-
thy Of notice. Mr.. B. was in health, and un
derstood TO hold himself esponsibe. The &C.
neral had served with me four years, and knew
that, owing to permanent defect Of vision, l
could not see, without glass, TO distinguish
him from sheep ten PAGES distant He
knew, also, that, owing 10 a recent paralytic
attack, had then the use Of only part Of
my limbs, one arm having been carried in a
sling for some weeks (This, however, was
temporary disability. and would not inter
pose airy objection to the giving or receiv-
ing a challenge, though a. might be reason
for postponing the time Of meetlns) These
things the Gen. knew; but he had been censur-
ed for his retreat from Mr. B and smar,ed un-
der it. Something must be done. have rea-
son to believe, that after my remarks we're
closed for the first day, he sough: TO get some
words that was supposed to use, 20 take ex-
ception 10, and not finding them exactly as ne
expected, he became paclied; that" afterwards,
during the latter part of the day, he was told
| by at least two members Of the HOUSE, that l
would not accept challenge, if he sent me one.
Upon this, his courage wonderfully revived
but he was not sure what reception he would
meet with. He resolved not to fight, while he
would get the credit Of showing bold front;
and therefore determined on sending the note
Of inquiry of the 26th ult. Which ne preferred
about seven hours after had given the offence
i'll gave it at all. He then sent challenge,
which was disposed Of the way the public al.
ready know. The General knew it was impos.
sible for Inc TO meet him on equal terms, on ac-
count of bodily disability, and because no man
with glass could take the necessary sight for
discharge Of fire arms. Mr. Buckner had no
such defects. The Gen. cid pass over the cow
ardice directly cast upon him by Mr.. B. and did
then notice something personal what do not
ye, know from the member from Ohio. Is not
the case made out, when, according 10 the Cen
erals own showing. he deserves "the epifhet of
the MEANEsr poLrRooN IN ExIsTENcE?" think
an impartial public will so determine.
The General proceeds to declare, he does
not propose to notice me further than wha, may
be necessary to his own character for consisten
ey and truth: for, he says, 81 could not speak
Of the member from Ohio, as language has no
term Of reproach, the mind no idea of contempt
sufficiently strong, to express my opinion OF
such character" What sad dilemma the
man is in! He affects, while he has made me
the subject Of several hours speaking, 10 hold
me in TOO much contempt to speak OF me, and
then he proceeds with half column OF close
IL H. y q 4