Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-08-14
To THE EpIroRs OF THE Vzrc

Gentlemen:-I shall not be so wanting in self: re-
spect as to answer directly the gratuous attack of
writer IN your paper, signing himself 'sQuntan."
Although he has modestiy assumed the character Of
learned Srdmmaridn, should Judge from his style
that he much more frequently resorted for impro
ment to "the purlleus of Grub street," than the
Groves OF Academus, If however | am mistaken in
this and it should actually be the case that by long
and iaboous apprenticeship the writer has acquired
a tocrablc knowledge of moods and lenses, cannot
be msled In one other conclusion, TO wit: that he
has yet much to learn of that decorum Of manners
and of that decency of style and lanul which are
pracilsed among gentlemen. Why he should think
1t necessary to enforce his pathological dogmas by q
fahoo discharge OF epithets at me, at loss to
determine, unless indeed is that the vanity Of the ne
dagogue predomnates over all respect whatever for
the feelings of others. That possess dull appre
hcnslon and am Ignorant of the English language"
may De true and II true, is my msfo tue; but how
that ignorance can be 'ptfu,' QuintiIian repre-
sents 1t, or why writer who affects so much verbal
nicely and refinement, should have used without
cause, so contemPtuOus an eXpetve, is what | can
not understand beg pardon however. The pity
OF this Learned Iheban' is excited at the ignorance
o! us dull souls who do not perceive at a plance tbe
brevity and elegance which so strongly mark nil
Zen. Jackson's compositions" Yes dti-fom the
famous letter TO Campbell about Slas Dinsmore and
the 09 and elegant thrust at the ''secrete assoss;s
down to this last epstle addressed to the Democra
tic members of The New Jersey Legislature.
And now Messrs. Editors, for this famous sentence
which according to the refined perceptions of Sn.
rect modest and elegant" Let US sDread II oncc
more before your readers.
Ihe confidence express in the principles which shall
control my administration must eposc upon my ardent and
honest endeavors to foster and PROMOTE by ali my official
acts, the general interests of the county"
repeat and confidently appeal to all unbiased
ana intelligent minds to sustain the assertion that
TINS sentence is neither perspicuous cleoant nor
grammatical; and | maintain that the explanation
winch Quntian gives, is both far fetched and upga
tisfactory. 1t is immaterial and care not in what
9 Vpr ic 7
IL Is ABSURD to saw the confidence gou express in
my principles, must repose upon my honest cndea-
yours, NC" lfsuch had been the Presidents mean.
ing he would nave said, ''the confidence you express
IN my principles, you might safely repose upon nv
honest endeavors but for his Excelencv 10 MIA GO
the confidence of others where they did not pace il
themselves, is altogether ridiculous. As well ujpht
one dandy address another in the following lanruapc
~ 1 ne nn''tat'oH you express at the manner in which
my craVat Is tied, must repose upon the eeraut
neatness OF my shirt rufle" There would have been
Just as much good and propriey in this mode
of expression as i'm the sentence cu1oy;zsd bv On;
titan.
But setting aside its grammatical constrnction
there Is not one intelligent reader in a hundred who
would not pronounce the sentence devoid of perspi
cuny; there are few persons, except such as are
ShIeu WIN QuIntlHans amazing disccrnnlent and
are wiling to Ego the whole hog" in every tfipr
which concerns Gen Jackson--who would not on
reading IT. perceive that something is wanted to
make 1t complete and ineligible.
In another point Of view Quintian's explana !
uoh IS absurd. When was it that General Jackson
or any other mans modesty was offended at the con
,saence expressed in his prjncipiet? If indeed the
Democrats of Jersey had touched upon another cord
and had ioked with the General about his grcat nJ;y-
w. MS intellectual endowments &c.-bis 1nodestv or
else might have been alarmed in GOOD
earnest. In such case he might have been glad ~
shuttle Oft their confidence and repose it upon some
'ther quality. There arc few men, (be their princi
'Ies good or badj who dislike to be praised for them.
ma should as soon expect vrtuous fcna,c TO
hrEk from compliment bestowed on her purity. as