Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-04-26
MIR. SEAToN's REPLY.
For the United States islegropH'


from me some notice I hsve never Puohc'y
identified Colonel Johnson's name with the vio-
len, expressions which have been imputed 10
him. and which he certainly used, and never
should have done So; but as the public has De.
come acquainted with them, am not surprised
that Colonel J. should endeavor, BY all the means
in his mower, to relieve himself from the effect
which declarations so reckless in their character
and spirit are calculated 10 produce on the rep
u,ation Of public man. Respecting Col
Johnson Cor his public services, and esteeming
him for his private virtues, sincerely regreH
ted that he should pcrmi, the violence OF party
feelings so far to get the better OF his good
Judgment and his proverbial philanthropy, as
to entertain and utter sentiments so unbecom-
ing a patriot and Senator; and as sincerely
regret that he has, by his publication, Obliged
me to bear witness 10 The signal Improperly
which he, in iact, himself acknowledges. In
deed, he admits SO fully all that has been stated
in regard TO the conversation between US, 10
which he refers, that should not deem any re
DIV 10 his letter necessary, had he not, very
much TO my surprise, sought TO give 10 tina
conversation private character, and conse.
quently to make il appear, that, by speaking OF
his indiscreet expressions, | had violated ms
confidence. This, ! aver, was not the fact l
am warranted in saying so, because there was
nothing in the commencement, IN the tone, IN
the manner, or in the place. OF that conversation
or In the relation in which Colonel and my
self STOOD 10 each other, al the time, 10 lmpart
10 il confidential character The conversa'
ton was entirely Casual, was open, louc, and as
public as the place permitted IL 10 be-, There
was third person present during part OF 1t.
he admits, and am not sure that there were
not others within hearing Is it probable that
another gentleman would approach and lislen
10 a confidential conversation, or that Col J..
would have continued it, being such after that
gentleman joined US?
Letting this, however, pass for the present,
will, since ] AN compelled To notice the sub
iect thus publicly, state, as briefly as Can, what
really passed on The OCCASION referred TO, III or
der TO correct some newspaper msrepresrnta
tations and some Inaccuracies In Col. Johnson 5
own statement
Some time in the session Of 1856, as was
passing through the Senate chamber 10 the
Secretary's table, after the Senate had adjourn
ed, l was haiIei by Col Johnson (slt,ing near
one Of the fire places under the gallery, with
one other member standing or walking near
-him) who, n RVS familiar manner OF speaking,
said, How goes il old friend: Well, when are
you coming out?"
Ednor-Ou ~h-. .nhject. Colonel!
Col J-Why. on the Pr, siden,,ai aue.,;en
Are you no, coming out against the Admins
lrstlon!
:Edhor-I can't tell. The Administration
has hardly commenced its career yet, X don't
see any thing, so far, TO condemn -
COL J-What Of that? Has not Clay taken
away the laws from your paper?
Editor True; but that would be making
private grievance, motive for public col duct;
and that we cannot do, however sore-we may
feed about il. As for Mr.. Claw, know he is no
friend of ours; we opposed him, and under
sand that he has always been hostile to Us and
our paper;sbut The Administration may pursue
policy that we have approved in other AID
minis,ra'ions, AID if they do SO, how can we
with any consistency oppose them!
Col Johnson; with vehemenee, and, think,
with an oaIh)-E would not care for that. If
any body injured MEL would give them as good
as they sent; and, as for this Administrations
will turn them out, as sure as there is God in
Heaven.
Editor - But Colonel, how Can you say so,
before you see what course the Administration
will adop'? Suppose they consult the public
interest, and pursue course that you think |
right?
Col u don't care: raising his arm, and
speaking with warmth, for, by the Eternal, 1t
they act as pure a. The Angels that stand at the
right hand Of the Throne Of God, we'll put
them down.
o this made no reply, but left the Colonel
to pursue the errand that carried me TO the Sc
naie Chamber. The last remark astonlshed Il /
shoe ked mt, and made an impression on my
mind 100 strong ever to be effaoed have stat
ed 1t With fidelity that would attest at the
last momen, Of life, and have related the rest
OF the conversation with substantial truth. Col.
johnson gives different turn 10 his remarks,
and no doubt honestly; but he was so much ex
cited, that he ought not to be too confident in
the accuracy Of his memory. am as fully i'm
pressed as any man, with the indecacy and
unses mliness Of lightly repeating conversations
that are even no, confidential, and ! certainly
concerned TO this impression in the case Of
Col. Johnson; bu, am not clear that sense OF
public duty did not require me forthwith to
give the utmost publicity to The de, laration OF
Col. Johnson, that his countrymrn might be ad'
sised OF a principle of action so monstrous, a
vowed BY a prominent member Of great par
ty in the Republic.
But,hs Off ola public aceuser is not an en-.
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