Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1828-05-14
FcI1TICAE.
G'ro the Editor of National Journal. J

| 10 Inc Editor Of NdtiOnsI Journal
Sir: The following remarks were prepared
with view to discussion, in the House of
Representatives, of the report of the com
mittee of Military Affairs in the case of the
six militia men. The very extraordi-
nary character OF that report appeared
to me as requiring free and full inyestiga-
ton. But taking into view that due regard
to other great National subjects had prccu-
ded an attempt 20 investigate this question,
until an advanced period OF the Session; and
that from the indications already given, there
was but little reason to hope that the MAORI
", who On Il former debate enforced their
power by means Of previous question,
would again consent TO renew the discussion.
had IN great measure given up the idea
OF appearing IN any way again on the subject:
believing as do, that an enlightened public
cannot fail to sec, by an examination of the
documents, the utter iaiacy of the reason
tng advanced by the Committee. From this
course, have been diverted by oircum-
stance which has recently occurred: allude
TO the publication of letters and arguments
written by the members OF both houses of
Congress, intended as asixiliarics to the re-
port OF the Committee. Since the appear
ancc OF those letters, have determined TO
submit my views directly to the public
through the medium Of the press; and have
to request you to give them Il place in your
paper.
/ am your obedient servant,
]. SLONE.
Washington City, 2Gth April 1923.
bissp Of the Report of The COMMITTEE of Military
.4foirs, an relation to The proceedings of a
Court Martial, ordered for Tie trial of GER
Tennessee ylFlitia,nea.
The situation i'll which / stand in relation
to this subject, requires Of me, that should
not let tho present session of Congress pass
over without making some effort to place it
IN different light before tho public, from
that il which it is now placed by the re-
port of tho Committee on Military Affairs
From q careful examinations of the whole
subject, and after much time devoted to the
consideration of the report Of that Commit
tee, feel bound to say that not one Of the
warranted by the facts IN the case. It shall
be my purpose to examine this report, and TO
compare it with the documents, with view
to show the fallacy Of its reasoning, and the
nnsoundncss OF It's conclusions. III doing
this, Will not dwell OH what the Commit
tee affect to consider of great Importance
IN the case-I mean, the order in which the
letters composing the correspondence be-
tween the Secretary Of War and the Gov
crnor Of Tennessee, lave been placed by
the present Secretary in his communication
OF these documents to the House. On this
part OF the subject, it will be sufficient to
observe that the arrangement of those pa
pers by the Secretary OF War, is in exact
conformity with the practice which has al
ways obtained, in all the departments ofthe
Government. The Committee, by way OF
prelude, have thought proper to enter into a
CRITICISM which in the absence Of every
1|,ing else in the least calculated to sustain
their report, may by them have been consi-
dared OF great moment; but which, to my
mind, seems to be such a resort as no cause,
resting upon substantial basis, need to have
called to its support This criticism of the
Committee shows how much mere they were
inclined to suspect error, in the conduct of
the present Secretary OF War, than to clu-
cidate facts. To sustain this opinion, rive
the following: The Committee, after refer
rig to the letters Of Gov. BIount, Of the 10th
and oath Of December, 1915, say ''to both
OF which the letter of the Sd Of Jan. 1914
Of the Secretary OF War, is an answer
tnis assertion of the Committee, made Ill
what they call criticism on the numerical
classification, made by that department, OF
the letters composing this correspondence
shows incontestably, the bias underwhich they
vere laboring, and how much that bias dispo-
sed them TO make injurious charges which
there were 10 facts 10 support. This letter of
the Secretary Of war, 5rbichthe Coinuittcesay
was in answer 10 lie letter Of Gov. Blount
Of the Gath Of Dec. 1918, contains no alu-
sion whateverto that letter; aodsad the Com
Tnlttec suffered themselves to reject with due
Guinness on the subject, they could not have
failed 10 discover, that il was in the nature
OF things impossible, that letter written at
Nashville on tho oath Of Dec, 1918, could
have been received at Washington and an
swcred on tic Cd Of Jan. 1914 period Of
only ten days. This | say was impossible;
for even now, with all tic increased facili-
tics given 90 the transportation Of The mail,
it IS fifteen days in lis passage between those
points. Viewing all these things, and dispo-
sed to entertain all due reverence for the O.
pinion Of the Committee, / cannot help re-