Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-07-14
From the National Journal.

From the National Journal.
We published Yesterday letter from Pitts
burp. giving an account of the getting up oil
the Gen. Jackson dinner in that place on the
4th inst We have since been favored with a
letter from most respectable source, giving
an accurate and fair history OF the proceedings
on that occasion. The anxiety OF The OPposl-
ton in Pitsburg 10 appear strong, must nave
been very great, indeed, or so much pains would
not have been taken 10 make noise.
Extract ofa letter to the Editor dated Ps6urs, July 5,
1897.
You cannot be ignorant that here, as well as
elsewhere, the adberents Of General Jackson
have cspoused with ardour the sentiments OF
the Southern Delegation in Congress, in reia-
ton 10 the American System. Many oil the oid
friends of the tariff bill of 1924, periodically ir
the cause of the southern hero, have quietly
lopped of their deadened opinions, and are
now green in neD growth, which has been
ingrafed and trimmed 10 suit the times by the
Hon. Henry Baldwin.
In 1925. the cause Of General Jackson was
the common cause Of our inhabitants The
election of Mr.. Adams in that year, and The cir
cumstances which succeeded 1.-THE character
and conduct Of the Oppostion--the detail OF
appalling facts in the history OF Gen. Jackson
the coward, progressive, triumphant and
glorious march, Of the Administration--,hc
wise policy Of its measures, and the mild yet
energetic enforcement Of them, from that pc
Rod, were seen by the observant OF the Jack
saniirs to be sii.n,iy ~>.Lins change IN the
minds Of the people here. Still they were con-
fiden, and boastful; nor was there much appa-
rent dread of the state Of their cause, until the
invitation TO Mr.. Clay was made known; ard II
was pronounced a rash and hazardous experi,
In ca,u HOY
changed; for the spirit tina, had long s,atked
invisible, manifested itself fearfuly, when 500
Of the citizens had already dared 10 subscribe
to dinner for the prescribed Secretary. Then
it was that the hero's party felt the necessity
Of some bold measure Of coun,eraction. The
"Woollen Bill' meeting had been called, and
il was decided to strike the blow they pre:nedi-
tated there. The friends of the woollen bill
and the Administration heard OF the contem-
plated opposition. Excr,ions were made on
both sides, and it was taci,ly agreed that that
meeting should determine the relative strength
Of the parties. 1t convened on the Saturday
preceding Mr.. Clay's arrival in this city,
Messrs. Baldwin and Stevenson appeared and
addressed the meeting, opposing the resolu-
tons that haa been offered. Confidence still
mantled in their coun,enances; and Mr.. B., in
triumph, asked gentleman who he knew to be
opposed to him-"Who has the ma jority? Who
has the majority here? eh!' The meeting,
however, in few minutes, was divided OH
question, when MIR. BIS suIlen s disappointed
face answered too well the question he had but
little before asked so vauntingly The matter
was settled, and the Administration fairly won
the day.
Mr.. Clay arrived the next day, and was wait
ed on by large number of the citizens, Mr.
Ral llyi ,hpr In, fba Of
conversation it turned upon the woollen BILL
swell, Mr. Baldwin," said the Secretary to his
Oh compeer, IL hear you have been preaching
from a ne,U tert you preached well from the
old one, should like TO hear you on the new"
On Monday and Tuesday Mr.. B. attended
Mr.. &. in his visits 10 the manufactures. On
Wednesday the dinner came, but no MIR. Bald
win was there Mr.. Clay left town the same
day, and the next Mr. Baldwin was icered for
not appearing to swell the crowd Of 700, who
had dined with Mr. Clay. The excuse given
by Mr.. Baldwin might be omitted in pity for
its author: it was, that Mr.. Clay, Gan old friend
had insuted him, by inquiring after his nev tert:
and yet the insult had been three days in wend.
ing It's way 10 his sensibility. The strength Of
the Administration party had amazed Mr.. b.
and his Jackson men--ihey were chap-iallen,
and ii was dangerous 10 approach Mr.. b. for
week after, The "Leader," as Mr.. B. is here
called, IN derision, begun then 10 recover his |
senses. and along with them his composure.-|
He saw that The huge structure of Jacksonism
was undermined, and topping over him.
The Administration folk refused to nppropri.
afe the 4th of July 20 the cause Of party. Here
then, was chance for Mr.. B. A meeting
vas called, at which about so Of the dishearten-
ed YET desperate of his faction appeared. A
Jackson dinner was concluded on; ex-senator
FiadIay 10 preside, and Mr.. b. to deliver the
Grafton. In the interval, the orator appears in
a suit OF hon7espun, presented by Gen. Jackson,
who shuddered at the idea Of being considered
a suitor for the Presidency. yetthis suit was