Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-01-12
From the Richmond Wing.

From the Richmond Wing.
Mr.. Caitoun-We were in error in saying,
that Major Clarke had charged Mr. Calhoun
with sharing the plumber in the Mix contract
on the contrary, when he read Mix's letter to
Secretary Barbour, he expressly declared his
conviction of the Vice Presidents innocence,
urging Mrx's calumny against him, indeed, as
a reason for denying new contract to Mix
We.make the explanation with great pleasure,
both as il affects Mr.. Calhoun and Maj Clarke
MIR. Calhoun, as il subtracts the weight OF
ClarSe's character from the accusation, the on
" circumstance which in The absence OF EVIL
dence, gave it any coor--Major Clarke, as it
removes the conjecture that he was associated
with Mix, for any purpose whatever-a man
who since the Rip Rap contract, has certainly
forfeited all claim 20 respectable association.-
We will take the opportunity OF correcting a
mother, though less material error: we called
Handkerchief paymaster, but he Is the flrst clerk
in the War Department
We confess that we are less satisfied with
Mr. Calhoun's conduct since the exposure OF
this affair, than, we were at Its hrst commence
men,. There seems TO have been In the phrase
olosy Of his letter to the House, design ts tn
sinuate suspicion that high officers OF the Go
yernment were leagued wiki Mix IN the ar
tempt upon his reputation. The passages OF
his letter bearing this construction, have been
publicly commented upon, and MIR. Calhoun re-
qaireC - say if he intended such insinuation.
A just man car more easily bear to have his Ian
gusge misinter orsted to his own disadvantage,
than to the injury Of other aud innocent per-
sons The Vice President has not dsavowed
the construction put upon his letter by Sa'!usl,
and his silence, in conjunction with the letter
to the Speaker, leaves no doubt on oar minds,
that his purpose was to cast suspicion upon the
Secretary Of War, and probably other members
OF the Government, as por.iceps eTtmin's with
Mix in the attack upon his fame. We hope
sha, the Committee Of the "Grand INCEST OF
the nation" will not suffer this feanre OF Mr.
Calhoun's appeal 10 escape them. Called up
on TO protect the reputation OF one high ofhcer
Of the,( soycrnment, from charges affecting his
INTEGRITY we hone thar in the exercise OF an G.
qui,able jurisdiction, they will extend their en-
quiry and protection equally to the reputation
OF others involved. The offioia SANDER con-
tanned in NJ Caihoun's letter, ought 10 be Of
6c,ails ,spel!ed. The reputation Of the Secre.
tsry Of War, Is as valuable to the country as
that Of the Vice President; nor while the fame
Of the last is officially vindicaled, will it be just
to suffer that of the former to be insinuated 4.
way. 1t surely is remarkable, that in the same
letter in which he plaintiyely invokes the pro.
lection of the House Of Representatives against
an assassin like attack upon his character, MIR.
Calhoun should direct blow more formidable,
because more sly and disguised, at the charac-
ter Of another high officer Of the Government.
We can see no farther difference between Mix's
charge asains, him, and his against MIR. Bar
bour, or whomsoever vas intended, than the
difference that exists between assertion end IN
sinuat,on-or war declared and var in disguise.
We are even inclined to believe that in moral
adjudication Of the two oGences, Mix's would
be deemed the least cplpsble. We are argu-
ing upon the presumption both Of Mr.. Cal
houn's innocence and that of Gov. Barbour
FOR we hold it to be just as impossible, and e
qually improved, tina, Gov. Barbour or any 9TH
ermember of The Cabinet has eonspired with
Mix against the fame Of Mr. Calhoun, rs thai
Mr.. Calhoun himself should have been con-
cerned with Mix in pluud<ring. the Treasury
ofthe United States, under cover Of the Rip
Rap contract.
In the movements Of such subtle and pracsis.
ed politicians a. the vice President Of the Unit
ed States is well known 10 b-, we are prone to
suspect hidden motive. On such occasions,
there are generally Two motives, one obvious,
and one concealed-one given to the world 10
satisfy its curiosity and enquiry-,he other re-
tained in the bosom Of the politician, too de-
formed for the public gaze and to ae grati6ed
or disappointed in secret. When Mr.. Cal
houn'. letter to the Speaker Of the House Of
Representatives appeared, the obvious motive
which dictated the course, appeared tons, in ottr
indignation al the injustice meditated against
him, worthy Of warran,ing the step. RePsta-
ton, as the only possession worthy the ambi
ton Of high spirit, will justify in its neeessa-
~ defence, every fair means employed in its
vindicaiion. Bot more minute examination
Of Mr.. Calhoun's letter, and the comparison Of
several circumstances which have since trans
pired, unite to satisfy US, that his oboioas mo-
tive, the defence Of his character, namely, SUI
6cent as such motive IVES, to accouat for his
Course, was mol the fyvs motive which led him
to vaca,e the Chair al the Senate, and claim the
projection Of the House Of Representatives
Mr.. Cslhoun's political character, owing to the
cSsssiess abandonment Of the connexions " bich
hsi elevated him to the Vice Presidency, and
some Of the principles rAich had distinguish.
ed him through life, o. well as to the disorders
which bis want Of 6rmness bad introduced
in the Senate OF the United States, had well
nigh sunk 70 zero. nistrsst Of his sincerity,