The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1827-05-18


Geaiemep-he have very short rejninder
10 make in answer to the Rev John Early's ie-
ply TO publication signed by us, aud which ap.
peared IN your paper OF the 18th ult We think,
with Mr.. Early, that it's AT all times improper To
make private quarrclS aud controversies the sub
ject OF newspaper discussions but, We regard
public men, III relation TO their public conduct
IN the discharge OF high and important trusts aud
duties, and N their aspirations after Offices of G..
molument, as occupying different ground aud
whilst We hold ourselves hmcnabe To public op-
mon Tor the manner Ia which We have dlseharg.
/ cd the trusts and duties which were conlided 10
AS as Directors OF the Branch Bank Of Vnpinia
AT this place, We do not admit the exemption of
ony officer of that institution from like respou-
sbiity, however elevated the station he may oc.
cupy, and though he should be invested with the
most sacred and impenetrable mantle.
II Mr. Larry really did seriously wish - avoid
This controversy, aud an obtrusion Of what he
calls private quarrel upon the public attention.
he might very easily have done 80 by a frank aud
| candid course Of conduct aud by pan direct
answer 10 plain, direct add ineligible commu-
ncation which we made 10 him through the me.
dunn of eur friend Mr. Charles Z. Johnston 49,
| This lie mighthave done without any disparage
ment TO his character, has dignity OF his honor
But, since he has made choice OF alternatives, at
|
selves justified in doubling the ngenuousness of
the assertion, when he regrets his being involved
! IN newspaper controversy, and we think his
naked assertion on this POINT will not obtain ere
| dit With the public. We, ike Mr. Early are rca-
dy To profess willingness 10 avoid controversies
! OF tins nature which can afford us neither graft
| hcahon nor profit, except SO far AS il NAV afford
| us an opportunity of indicating our characters
| from the wanton, unproyol1cd aud maloyolcnt
charges of the Rev gentleman who has assumed
towards us an attitude of hostility.
! We considered ourselves to have been wanton-
/ ~ and unnecessarily assaiIed by MI Early, in
hlS communications 10 Edmund Irvine, Esq. in
relation 20 the appointment of Directors of the
Bank OF Virginia at tins place, at the time Mr..
g., Early was evidently Canyassng for the office OF
President of the institution: at the time, too,
when he was making repeated g secret trips to
Rchmond& usingdU the means in his power for
obtaining the Office he so much desired. If Mr..
| Early had succeedcd 1.-The attainment ofthe object
! ofhis WISHES by fair d. honorable means q had he
RETAINED from making charges and insinuatons
to our prejudice whatever may be our opinion
OF ms fitness and qualifications for the station,
we should have remained SILENT and certainly
should not have artaigned him before that fribu-
! nGi where he seems TO be SO very reluctant and
unwilling TO appear. But Nh Early's conduct
left us no alternative, but either silently TO sub
init TO the most derogatory nsinuations, OF OF
requiring OF him an explanation OF certain acts
and transactions of his, relating 10 the appoint.
mcnt Of Directors ofthe Bank of Virginia at ms
place, last winter. After having heard what
these charges and nsinuations were, we address
ed to Mr.. Early joint letter, by our friend,
J MIR. Charles T. Johnston. In that letter, we re-
| CURED nothing of HIM but a frank and candid
answer. The language of the letter was plain,
simple and intellisiblc. II required no hesitd
ton, deiiberdtioH or e9HtnOcatioR. II could not
! have required that MIR. Early should take much
timn 10 decide on the course which he should
pursue towards us but after admitting that the
communication by Mr. Johnston emanated from
a source that entitled it TO respectful considera.
ton, he finally determined in consequence Of the
| great excitement which had been produced by
the letter of Mr.. Irvine TO a gentleman in this
place not TO reply to it in writing Why this cx-
ouse : Why this equivocation Why this rcuc-
lance and UNIV willingness TO make a written expla-
nation of his conduct IN relation to us Was il
because lac was unwilling TO commit himself by
q written communications on very delicate sub
| jeCt well knowing that what was once written
could not be readily revoked, and that iCriHc1i
| communications were less liable to misconstruc-
ton Interpretations and misrepresentation than
| those of q verbal character We admit that
after Mr.. Early S deliberations on the course he
would pursue towards us, he has adopted that
which was most lghlyreeommendedb by caution,
| by prudence, and 10y patelna sollcitude for the
protection ndpreScryatIon of his own character.
" Prudence is said to be the better part Of aor,
and though Mr.. Edrly has manifested the most
intrepid temper in employing oil the medns which
were necessary 20 crafty the passions of umbi-
ton aud avarce after having accomplished the
darling object Of his heart, he has not manifest
| ed an entire indifference 10 public opinion, aud
| instead Of answering few plain qucstlons, which
| he might have done in very few words, after
! bordering and celebrating on the subject for
| weeks, and, no doubt, after having taken the add
wee and admoniusn of his confidential qdriScrs,
! he has gracouSly come forth with a loug nara
| tive in relation 10 the affairs and management Of
the Bank, whilst he was presiding oilicer.'-
Many of the circumstances detailed IN his publ
cation, are not az all conaected with the merits Of
this controversy. We can assure Mr.. Early
| that this sort OF special pleading which he has
attempted to employ in his defence or yindcati-
on, will hardly be able 10 obscure the truth or
satisfy the public mind of the proprety or ln,c-
grty of his conduct, in employing sinister mean,
10 obtanthe office which lac NOW an,ds as Presi-
dent of the Branch Bank ofNirgiala AT this place,
| and though his conduct had heretofore been a,
diSntercsted and as immaculate ms that OF the
saint whose name he myokes, that conduct will
not furnish satisfactory vindlcaton of his de-
pertinent in relation to the charges we have pre-
! tcrrcd against him.
We will now briefly reoapitulaic some Of the
most prominate features in Mr.. iryines letter
and the accompanying documents, and will then
| give what we consider the fair Interpretation Of
! Mr.. Early's communication TO Mr.. Irvine in
| Richmond, 10 opposition TO Mr. l., s construct
on, and will then leave the public 10 judge OF the
| merits and dement's of this controversy, aud de
eide how far he has succeeded IN LIS attempt to
yindlcate and Justify his conduct, and how klr
we have succeeded in establishing the charge of
! his hayin" madea wanton and uIaleyoent assault
on our characters and feelings One paragraph
of Mr. Iryines letter. contains this declaration ::
| At the second interview with MIR. Early assured
him that Mr. Baker would PIT him in the Drec-
tory; he then expressed surprise that | had yet
70 learn that he wished such Directory appoint
ed as would elevate him to the office of Pres-
dent OF the Institution, and said that, in case Of
failure he andlhs friends wereto be sacrificed at
Bank. and this is a matter about which your ia