The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1831-10-11

he Nas lalu OeIOfe i0e puoHc iH HiS IeceHt
address. When il terminated, had hoped
our difference WAS ended. His late address,
however, was OF a character to induce will,
me a belief, that my iorbearance on the for.
mer occasion, had a tendency to embolden.
him to further malignant assaults F; and accor
dinghy, without seeking explanation, ] made
direct call upon him for personal redress.
His answer was never communicated 10
me. The friend who acted in my behalf.
finding il an nrgumentative, labored reply, to
plain and simple demand, returned il as a
pnper not Of character TO oe presented or
received. See .9ppendir e. Asecond call
was made, which resulted in refusal on The
part Gf Mr.. Berrien, 10 grant the satisfaction
which had been asked. lie has proved that,
with malice and hatred in his heart, he could
wenr the garb OF friend. Pretending 10
have claims TO honor and character, he could
become the traducer ofs woman, seek the
ruin of a family which had never harmed him.
and shrink from responsibility. 1t must be
ever so! Base men are not brave. A gull
ty conscience is bad paroply on the field Of
honorable combat. The conscious wrong.
doer anticipates the worst, and calculates to
suffer, from q knowledge that he deserves it.
1t is not surprizing, therefore, that Mr.. Ber
ricn's conscience did not permit him TO trus,
himself with one, whom, so wanionly and so
pcrlinac ionsly, he had wronged and sought
to injure. These two men, Ingham and Ber
yien, will stand together in after time, and
with honorable men, monuments Of dupIicity,
ingrsi,udc and bascness-traitors to their
friend, and dcstroyers Of tbemselves-a
memorable illustration Of the melancholy
truth, that "a man may sm'is, and smile, and
be a pHiGin."
For Mr. Branch, feel but pity and con.
tempt. lie has been the dupe Of his own
tIlencss Of mind, and the victim Of his more
willy associates. Though he has entered into
their feelings, and aided them in their de
signs,-has asserted uniruihs, and offered in
furious inputations, cannot find in my heart
to entertain feeling Of revenge towards 80
humble an accomplice.
The restless, troubled spirit, that, through
such secret agencies, moved and controlled
all this intrigue and management, became
visible last winter in his proper person. His
influence and address have associated in his
schemes many partizans, besides those who
embarrassed the late Cabinet with difficulties.
They have made themselves victims to his
ambition. Ifhe can now find pleasure in the
course he has adopted for the promotion OF
his views, in the afilctions with which he has
visited my dwelling. or in the sacrifice the
willing Instruments who, as friends were EN-
poyed to do this service, he must owe his
satisfaction TO the delusions OF ambition
The time will come when the victims of his
policy shall rise before him. like the shades
which appalled, the insidiOus and heartless
usurper Richard. TO disturb his slumbers, and
TO drive peace from him.
De,rac,ion has struck at every thing around
me. Aud, alihongh it has been uniformly |
pretended that the persecution against me
originated in great regard and delcacy for
public feeling and morals, yet what are the
proofs to authorize the rumors, about which
M. r", and mr. DerItcu ,sossta Sof tr0"6se-
themselves 10 inquire. but which, notwithstnnd-
ing. they could silly and secretly whisper in
to circulation. They have produced none!
II this be legitimate warfare, there are few
who may not be subjected to the ordeal from
which the most innocent cannot always es.
cape with a name unblighted. Ii is well
know fnct, that in this city, there are hired
writer's for papers at a distance (; and If some
incident does not, from week 10 week, occur
to 6ll their page, fancy must suggest some
gossip tale to be told, and printed, and circu-
lated. The motive with the writer, is his pay
with the publisher, the qualification of the
appetite for slander, reckless Ofthe wound it
may infiict. Under such a state OF things,
which party excitement now tolerates, of
what concern is problty of character,-or
what the value Of good name' IT is upon
this sort OF anonymous rumor, propagated by
the vicious and malicious, that political con.
trivers seized. to accomplish their purposes.
| Malignant as these gentlemen have shown
themselves. all ask Of them is, TO waive all
copcea ailments, alledge specific charges. and
adduce their proof. A conscience, 'vOid of of.
fence" can meet them and defy their malice,
let them but strike their blows openly and
in the face Of day.
But it is time to close this narrative. am
admonshed. that already ] have trespassed
too long, and laid claims to an indulgence be
yoDd any that had a right to ask. could
not confne myself within narrower limits: and
i'll have said too much, be my apology found
| in this, that il is through no culpability Of
mine that the puolc have been disturbed
with private matters, and with private griefs.
Patient and forbesriDg, was disposed TO keep
10 myself the adjustment Of my own wrongs,
now solicit the public to become an umpire in
matters which, being private, could in moth
ing concern and interest them. But l am
not permitted to enjoy even this humble priv.
Iege. have been arraigned defore them by
men. writhing under malice, modification,
and disappointment. Idly surmising me to be
the moving cause why the sun Of their polt
ical glory was so suddenly shorn ofi's beams,
they arc restless, prosecuting and uDforgiv.
ing, and appeal to the country TO redress
those private griefs to which they have sub
jcc,ed themselves, by seeking TO accomplish
selfsh aims at the expense Of truth, honor
and humanity. throw myself upon the par
don and forgiveness Of liberal and Jnst com.
munity for all have said, and for any thing
tina, may appear to be improperly said.
Your Fellow Citizen,
JOHN II. EATON.