Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1831-10-06
SONS LETTER.
[From the Philadelphia United States Gazette. ]
TO THE PUBLIC-LETTER 2.
Correspondence wHh Thomas Richie, ESQ

Correspondence ruth Thomas Rdchie, Esq
find myself compelled to interrupt
the regular current of these letters, and
of course, to break in upon the consecu-
tive details of past events, by violent,
personal, and scurrilous attack, from the
pen of Thomas Ritchie, Esq. Editor of
the Richmond Enqnirer, who, to his 9TH
er numerous functions of Il public and
political character, adds that of defen.
der of the Jackson faith, and especial
guardian Of infallibility of the President.
An assault from such quarter demands
attention. When Mr.. Richie speaks, a
nation listens; the fate of the country
hangs trembling on his pen; and every
disciple of reform bows his hcad-as the
voice Of the Apostle announces the doc
trines of truth in the tones of consistency
and patriotism.
Effects cease to be wonderful, when
the causes that produced them are en-
pounded. The piquc and modification
of a pirate letter, from me to Mr.. Ritch-
lie, has produced an efervescence ofpo-
litical rage, that no possible combination
of public circumstances could, perhaps,
ever have brought forth, however for
midable and threatening to the country.
In this fact, while | perceive and ac-
knowledge Il fresh instance of his patri-
otism, cannot omit to observe, that |
should have felt more of that admiration
which his pre-eminent consistency eXcites
had he shewn more of the GOODNESS of
temper, and seli-posscssion, that charac-
terises age, in his brief, but bitter phil
lipe against the Protocol of the Original
Jackson men, which challenge him to
analyse or Confute. While, however,
/ scarcely regret that pirate wrong, y
not public grievance, has excited him
so much from his wontcd propriety, |
cannot but rejoice that the infrmities
which accompany old age, however pit
eous to behold, have afforded me an OPP
portunity Of revealing to Mr.. Richie,
some of those alterations on the part of
Gen. Jackson from his puritanical creed,
of which he either remains in ignorance,
or has the hypocrisy to discredit. As a
renerable editor, | won d fain treat Mr.
Richie with all that Difference and re-
spect due to grey hairs-but that his age
has failed to bring with it either the
comfy, the wisdom, or the virtue which
should accompany the yellop leaf of the
declining politician. Mr.. Richie has
been all in the wrong since 1923. He
belongs to past age. lie is piece of
history-a monument of other times-a
remnant of things lost in the political
flood. His nstincts-his perceptions
his judgment-are 100 years in tie
rear of this political epoch. AS well
might mummy of Egypt uncoil its own
bandages, as Mr.. Richie fit himself for
the political era of 1881. Had nature
even reversed her laws, and given his
mind vigor as his body decayed strength
still would Mr. II. prove unequal to
the task he has assumed-evcn suppos-
ing that hattery had not destroyed the
little vigor which age and vanity had
spared. But to business.
The principal charge adduced by MIR:
Richie, is having solicited General
Jackson to stand as. a candidate for re-,
election
The facts are these About January
Of this year, much speculation was atioat
touching the identical point which is.
made the groundwork cfMe Protocol-.
whether General Jackson would forfeit
his character for consistency and good
faith, by running for n second term'-'
Understanding him even then-well ac-
quainted with his inordinate ambition,
and the little respect he paid to any prin-
ciple in its qualification, l venturcd to
maintain that he would press his suit for
a re-election-whilst those in the inter-
est of the Pennsylvania Inquirer, who
rere then opposed 10 him-took the oppo-
site ground-insisting that he would re-
the, to save his character and fame. In
order to ascertain the fact, | addressed a
note to Major Eaton, asking the question,
His answer was couchcd IN the usual
cdnting terms--that General Jackson
neither sought nor declined office, and
that, if AGAIN nominated by the people,
he would again be a candidate. An ex-
tract from this letter was published in the
Pennsylvania Inquirer, and formed the
scmi-ollicial note that he was candidate
for reelection. have no copy ofmy
letter, but | have a distinct recollection
that it contained a mere request to know
the determination of Gen. Jacks touch
ing second term; and, although MIR.
Ritchie appears to have agonised under
a partial violation of the sanctuary OF
private correspondence, | can scarcely
believe Eaton to have been so base, or
Lewis so reckless, as to provoke that ia
tai retaliation, which such dishonorable
procedure might excite.
But how did the people Of Pennsyl-
yania solicit General Jackson to become