Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-04-12
JOHN NEAL.

The following letter, written by some one
who is unknown to us, is presented to the
reader, precisely IN the shape that we received
it, Its post mark is that of Brunswick, Maine,
n small town, distant about twenty two miles
from Portland, the scene Of John Meals ac-
'ons and operations.
Tho writer, whoever he may be. would have
obliged us, by paying the postage, for it really
is too hard to be laslied as we arc, and be
compelled TO pay for ii into the bargain.
Our only motive for publishing The letter is
TO afford our readers small specimen Of the
abuse we are in the habit Of daily receiving,
by tribe ofanonymous scribblers,w assassin
ike strike in the dark Should these rema rks
arrest the eye Of the writer Of the letter, he
however, have given US no pain, but on the
contrary have afforded no slnal! amusement.
Brunswick, Ne. ApriI 5th, 1928.
DEAR SIR--It would be peculiarly fortu.
nate for many injured individuals, if that justice
wh'ch is shown 20 all those accused before our
legal tribunals, could be extended TO every
species Of accusation; If, when a man is ar
ra'sned before Tie bar o' the public to answer
to charges unjus'ly preferred agains, him, and
to rid hls character Of the aspersions which
malicious and unprncip'ed villains have thrown
upon il, he could be allowed a far and impair
tial investigation; and, Until lo is proved gail
a., could be supposed iHnocCnt. This indnl-
gcncc is seldom allowed TO those who are not
answe,ablc TO judicial authority, but persons
who are so unfortunate as 10 have been once
suspected. mus, frequently suffer all tho evil
consequences intended only for the really gull
ty. Bu, base indeed mus. be the man, who
will take advantage Of an occasion Of this
h,nI, aud a! time the most unfortunate for ali
accused individual, when the feelings &C a por-
ton of tho community are against him, viii be
stimulated by motives of disappointed revenge
to become t-.llmniutor and s.andcier--and
even suffer his rage TO place hlm on leyo.
with the viIcst libclrrs Of the day. In such
character | am .orry 10 say, | think the Editor
ofthc Cadct has appeared, one whose talents
| consider OF the FIRST order, and the scintla-'
tions Of whose genius have afforded ne much
Of your qualifications, who right be one Of our
country's brightest oInamens, should SO far
forget the duty he owes 10 himself, and TO his
fellow men, as to stoop TO course so vile and
ntemptihle as you have recently pursued
refer TO the very abusive course which you have
,aken with Mr. Neal, of the Portland Yankee,
whom you have boscly slandcred, and that too
in manner too mean and .s;ardly. TO receive
for a moment, the attention of any respectable
and vel! disposed citizen.
/ should rot have trouhlcd myself with wit
ing you this, indeed should have regarded
your abusive language respecting Mr. N. only
as the mad cllusons of one whom no princi-
pies of justice, nor regard TO truth, restrain
from the most Infamous cxccssc1, if had no,
had some previous acquaintance with you as
literary man, the fruits of whose piofc mind,
/ considered entitled TO the attentive consider
alton of every friend to genuine merit.
You commenced by deliberately assailng
the character Of Mr.. Neal, without any provo
cation whatever. stating Us truth what vou
we'll knew to be entirely destitute Of founda-
ton, and this too, you did in such an mgen,le-
manly manner that every friend of deccncy |
Inust have been glad to see YOU severely chas-
ti'sd for your hau.:.iy presumption. That Mr.. !
Neal should rory to you in the manner he did,
seemed to excite your utmost rage and TO be
on him (although lie had treated you
rs mau aud a gentleman you iudUlged Ia
,utst of the most bitter and furious invectNc,
Shicl i'll became gentleman orynur standing,
nvcuting for yUui purpose laischoods too mean
nl vulgar Tor calumny itself to give credit to-
The shout history which you have given Of Mr..
is rerlcic with the most scandalous lies, 10
which IN your 1cal TO produce SO, cthinc suf-