Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1828-07-31
From the Richmond whig, of July "a.

made BY US, that Mr.. Stevenson had
with in short time, expressed the opln
ion that If MIR. Adams was re elected,
the Union would be dissolved gave
herself syen more airs than usual
scolded roundly, and fatty denied that
be had expressed any such pinion. She
is manifestly in her dotsge, and deserves
on that account to be used with gentle
ness. But that we are firmly persuaded
of this truth, we should punish her i'm
pertinence with severe reprimand.
II seems that the chief cause of her
taking offence, is that Mr. Stevenson
should be said to have expressed an
opinion, which she had not heard him
utter. We should not be surprised, il
when she becomes satisfied, las she
shall be) that MIR. Stevenson did express
this opinion, that he forfeits her favor,
for expressing an opinion with which he
had not acquainted her. To such state
of arrogance has she arrived, from long
indulgence OF the fancy, that she con
trouls the destiny of Virginia. Bona.
! parte did no feel more implicitly assur
ca of the government Of the French Em,
pire, than does this beldame, that upon
her nod, depends the fate ofpublic opin-
ion in Virginia. And that Empire was
not more certainly overturned, than will
the people OF Virginia burst the degrad
ing letters which Messrs. Richie and
Gooch, have for long time imposed
upon them. The people of Virginia are
under petticoat Government. and they
are finding it out They are daily be
coming sensible, that the Enquirer
pfesumes to transfer and to youch for
their opinions and course that Ambitious
men in other states who have designs
upon Virginia, address themselves TO the
vanity of Mr. Richie. and think that If
the Enquirer is gained, all is snug, ard
Virginia secured Can freemen brook
such an idea with patience? What, the
vote of Virginia for this man or that, de,
pend upon judicious application to the
vanity OF Thomas Richie? Ibis picture
is not so much overchsrged as some
may think. The principal features are
true to fact
The following is the commentary of
the Enquirer, upon what we stated rela.
tive to Mr.. Stevenson
The n. Intellgenceris also silly enough TO
| rely upon an assertion in one OF its affiliated
presses, that 'the Hon A Stevenson some two
| or three weeks ago, publicly expressed The o?in.
ion in this city. (Rchmond.) TINT if Gen j. 7uas
: not elected, the Union zeou,d be dssol,ed" We
have not the slightest belief that Andrew Ste.
| nada "A ri W.
should like to hear (says the Nat lntelligen.
cer) what opinions other eminent men, admit
ted behind the curtain during the las, session Of
Congress haze disclosed TO their friends on sAe'r
return home" Without pretending to know
what other members of Congress have disclos
ed to their friends, we can only undertake to an
swer for ourselves and for Andrew Stevenson.
We are probably in the habit Of com municating
as freely with him, as any other persons in the
world. We have had frequent conversations
with him, on politics. since his re.uru Homeland
| never tor one moment, have heard him
breathe any thing like the prediction which is
here ascrlhed TO him. His, political opponents
| NAV have been more fortunate than his friends
but, from the last, certainly from US, he has
withheld every sentiment, every scheme, which
| squinted IN the most remote degree at the dis
| solution OF The Union OF these States. MIR S.
| Is now with his family, TO the NUrth-or else
we would appeal to him directly for the truth
OF the declaration which has been attributed to
him
1--WE have had frequent conversations
with Mr.. s since his return home, and
never for one moment did we hear him
breath any thing like the prediction here
ascribec to him" Because, Thos. Ritch-
lie has not heard Mr.. S say this, he felt
himself justified in undertaking to say
that Dir Stevenson never had said It.
We should be entirely justified in re-
torting the distrust of veracity, for that
mans regard for truth may we'll be sus-
pected, who undertakes to affirm with.
out qualification what be never does.
nor can know. Whether Mr.. S did use
the expression or not, we submit to the
Judgment of the public, after they have
perused Mr.. Blair's certificate.
At the request of Mr. John H. Peasants, l
hereby certify. that some time in the month of
June, as well as recolleet, Mr.. Andrew Ste
venson, in conversation, in my hearing in the
Hank OF Virginia, observed that in his opinion
1t Gen. Jackson was not elected President, or
II John Quincy Adams was reelected, the II
mon would be dissolved.
22d July, 1928. SAMUEL j. BLAIR.
Mr.. Blair's word wants no strength
ening; but if MIR Ritehie shall be Of
| Il Harort 49, III