Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1831-11-29

rit. and endowed with the haPpicst talents TO rem
der his good dispositions effcctual and trunpnb,nt
~ We confess the Justice OF a Friend Of Truth.
structures tho Sd letter of Cato to Mr. Writ and
share his Indignation. When we commenced tho
republication of those letters we had seen only
the first, and were much pleased with the lust
courtesy with which Mr. Writ addressed in it,
as we have been surprised and disguised al tho
change of tone in the third But having common
ced their republication, thought it right to com
pleto tho series.
FoI Tux Wuro
Messrs. Editors-I have boon much sfrucL ,,;,,,
tho style and sentiments of series of letters.
published in your paper, under the signature of
Cato" The writer seems to have entirely mis-
understood the relation in which Mr.. Writ stands
with tho ti-Masonic Party and that which 49,;
occupy in regard to Mr. Clay. have lust finished
reading the third letter of tho above mentionci
series, in which Mr.. Writ is indirectly charged
with pohticdl dereliction," and ''parfy apostaey>
What man who knows any thing Of tho stare OF
parties in tho political world, and. of the course
which William Writ has pursued from hi, first
entrance on tho Theatre of public life. up to tho
present hour, what say, who is at all ac-
quainted with his private political lie can applv
| to him such epithcs as these?-epithets which viii
not, am sure, lower Mr.. Writ in the estimation
OF any true patriot, honest man, but will ONLY
be received as very strong evidence of the most
shameful ignorance, the most wilful misrepre
sentation on tho part of Cato" Does he not
know that MIR. Writ has never ma do n surrcnder Of
his National OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES his nr;no,s
on all the great and important points in dispute
are still the same?-that there has boon no change
IN MS sentiments" towards MIR. Clay, whom he has
ever considered firm, fearless, aud devoted patri
OF, and whose interests he was far from baselv
and treacherously DESERVING, (as ''Cato' would
lnsinuate) that when the Anti Masonic Conven-
ton met to nominate candidate tor their party
| he (Mr Wirt) pressed Mr. Clay upon them with ali
the powers OF his eloqucnce, and with tho most
untirlng perseverance; nor did he cease to do SO,
until he found that the case was utterly hseelcss
Is Cato" ignorant of these fac.S? Has he never
seen the sentiment expressed in various Anti. Nm
sonic papers, that even if Mr. Writ had been re-
fused by their party, it would not in the slightest
dsgree have advanced the interests of MIR. Clay
that they would in event, under no circum
stances, give him their support 4 candidate for
the Presidential Chair? Are there any reflections
thrown out by MIR. Writ in his letter upon Mr..
Clay or his party, which would authorize "Catorr
IN saying, that lie (Mr. Wirt) there DIRECTLY or in
directly accuses them of s'supporting the propri
ETY." or connlving at the commission of "Masonic
| murders!" Is there in that public2 ton, any thnp
like an insnuation ''that Mr.. Clay would cherish
secret oaths, and anti-national obligations" or
THAT he would not. enforce the supremacy of tho
laws?" Has "Cato" read that letter at all? If he
has not, can pity at least dcspise the self.con
ccit and presumption of one, who undertakes to
write upon a subject with which he is entirely un-
acquaned-but if he has read it, and the proba.
bility is that he has, ought he not to feel thu
"burnlng blush of shame glow upon his eheeksn
at his weak and futile attempts traduce the
motives and blacken the fair fame of such a man
! as Mr. Writ, by putting such constructions on his
words ana actions as would never have originated
but IN the corrupt and vitated judgment of a
Gator Who but he could have considered Mr.
| WIrts acceptance of the Anti Masonic nomina-
ton as casting over every other party the asper-
sion OF a6eftfHg and perpetrating murder?" What
sane man would have made such a charge upon
such grounds?-have drawn such conclusions from
such premises? The idea is really too absurd TO
have deserved contmtation, any thing else but
contempt, had not wished TO show what extraya
CANT positions man may be led to assume when
he has once learnt to turn deaf ear to the sup
| gestions of truth.
These remarks made by one Messrs Editors
who. would readily take up his pen to defend
| MIR. Clay, Mr.. Writ, from the unprovoked at
tacks, and base and malignant aspersions of hire
ling Partizans. Nay, | have already contributed
my mite to protect him from the undeserved, but
untIrng persecution of your worthy contemporary of
the Enquirer, (who like other creeping Hings5 is,
CONSTANT y pouring out his on all who arc
not like HIMSELF and whose shafts, though dipped
in gall, and winged with envy and hat red will ever,
am sure, fall blunted and harmless at the feet of
Mr. Clay, to his utter confusion and dsrnay.
repeat 1t, am actuatcd by personal conside-
rationS, no party motives, in making this reply but
call Heaven to witness, that only do it because L
have ever been a FRIEND TO TRUTH.
u Judge Smith, late U. S. Senator has been
elected to the State Senate of South Carolina for