Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1831-05-27

oe Oh the aspen-as many shapes he can put on ms
ana 1ulatc the canceon in its variety ofhues
Out one thing he cannot change or forget or rod;
MS immortal malice towards this paper Did our han
PesS or prosperity depend the good feelings of our
contemporary, we should be in a woefu way indeed
.ie' nor circumstance, can mitigate his dislike or
lohy spirit impacable IN proportion to its want of
- Vindlctive III the ratio of its fears, proud
rcads uusute OF its conscious ineriority He
., -. lhe paper tthe Whig) and in extracts relating
~ ~ woerc Its name should occur he puts blank thus
,,, AN cruel contemporary Oh killing
s - " nat inducement have to write since
IsI heighbor refuses even to read what we say!
nt consolation can find for this notifying indif
~. III our increasing circulation, in the assurance
ou ptper Is read by the great mass oftalent learn
~ oiiu oinence In the State, and by much beyond it?
a. Iurn we to the New York American. If we permit
oio'uies oil that paper to pass without. retaating
osery' 1T Is not from acquiesconce in their just
ou' rom obligations to the memory of the father of
w eator and the received the hands
CT inc editor himself We, perhaps unjustly but
Laniy truly and sincerely, think poorly of Washing
ton Irying that shall on his account offer VIC.
ience to sentiments of the heart which cherish with
fo4dness and acknowledge with pleasure.
But let us ask the editor of the New York American
where lie hnds the evidence of Washinpton Irvipgs
'almost romantic patriotsm?" Is it in abandoning his
country to 1--we in England? Is in his "Sketcl Book
here Arllocracy propitated in almost every chan
teri Is tin his affecting the company of the Enpsb
nobility, scraping acquaintance with lords and ladies'
and pluinmg himself upon accommodating his
to the Court of the Monarch the saloon? Are not
these things true7 IF false Mr. Irving has been mis-
represented but pot in the first place by u.s. We never
within 400 miles of him to tho best of orr know
ledge. Bat MIR. Charles King may remember-that in
certain voyage we once undertook to Ruenos Ayres
we touched at England Mr.. Irving was then at Paris
or Madrid: Our feelings were in his favor but not
account OF the "Sketch Book" If they changed
they were changed by our countrymen in England
With these he was generally unpopular-not on ac
count OF neglect, or inattention, from any single
cause or overt act whatsoever in which they were
concerned, tor we heard of but from the general
bearing of his department. An honorable man all
esteemed himbut he the less believed to have
apostased from the habits, feelings and manners of
his country, to nave courted the patronage of the
bility, with diligence, ZEAL and condescension un
worthy OF Republican citizen,-and to be prouter of
his new and noble connexions, than of his country or
sinstitutions. Republican from the u. States, is
tenktimes Republican in Engnnd. The actual pre-
of that Arstocracy which he is bred UP to hate
in all its PRIDE privilege and nsoence the observation
OF 4 noble people crushed and ground into ashes to
camper its luxury and haughtiness-tese are circum-
ptances which keep the spirit of Republican in con-
tinued rebellion. That American in England, who
in view of his countrymen caresses atters and fwns
upon this class-may be very good and very learned
man, his name nay be passport Throughout Europe"
least may be received by the Corps Dipomatique
and in the saloons of London and Paris he must
nevertheless lay his account with being regarded as
sycophant ana courtier-aye, as toad-eater-by his
countrymen.
estimate formed of Washington Irving, by his country
mon in England. 1t may have been pTejudce-of
that know nothing having never seen him there,
elsewhere-but that il not prejudice, the prepos-
session which all had felt for him. the evidence of his
Sketch Book, and this last ridiculous parade of his
intercourse and intimacy with Prince Lieyen sufficient
~ satisfy u.s. Thus thinking of the man, when we
saw that letter of hiswhen at such crisis in human
affairs, we saw tho American Secretary of Legation
running after Prince Lieven to enquire of him in aux
ious soicitude how John Randolph had behaved IN
Mrs. Wilson's boardin house ST. PETERSBURG con-
tempt got momentary mastery reverence for
the pride of soil, the should be fvorite of Ms
all-and we called him, courtier sycophant and toad
eater If the thing was to do over, would omit the
last mentioned term, and spare the horrors it inflicted
upon Messrs. King and Walsh but are by no means
convinced that it is not the most characteristic of
them all.
From this narrative Mr.. King will perceive that we
could not possibly have been actuated by any feelings of
personal maevolence towards Mr. Irvng-nor towards
MI Randolph, Tor whose genius entertain great
admiration, and who evidently injured in the place
of being assisted, by Iyvings oficiousness. We had
no desire to dctract from we'll earned" celebrity for
ace deem Washington Irving little better than scrib-
bier, to aun real excellence for that courtier
never possess Let Mr.. King demand our praise
for Paulding, Haleck, Percival, or Smith, and
he shall find that acuated by no ssdepreciatner
spirit" towards 'sexcellence" As to being Influenced
by ''party" feelings, have understood what
Mr. irvings party politics are aud shall be surprised
to hear TINT he has, ever had, any.
We of the popularity Of Mr.. Irving in this
country He has been pulled here for years AS there
fore, to speak we have spoken of him. and as the
American represents, through party feeling and dis
position to detract from real excellence is calculated
to bring great repioach upon us, demand of that
paper that shall publish this article act Of sheer
justice TO show that we have good reasons, at
least think, for what have said. We shall be
pleased to have these reasons removed.
u We find tue following card in the New York pa
pers. Our rejoicing indeed, render help to the
Poles, but it manifest synpahies for the
mon of mankind, admiration of their hero
ISM gratitude to overruling Providence for put
ting triumphant face upon what all esteemed, dcs
pcrate and forlorn Will Richmond the first to
celebrate the restoration of French bberty BIO the last
to demonstrate her Joy at the liberation of Poland the
land Of Koscusko, long outraged Poland
THE STRUGGLE OF PHB POLES.
Fhc in which this gallant people are engaged
appeals strongly TO the sympathics of Americans and
the recent brilliant success which mas crowned their holy
efforts, has impaired such thrill Of joy to this whole
community, in the opinion Of tho undersigned, to
Justify public manifestation of their feelings: hoy,
therefore take leave ask meeting of all such Of their
fellow citizens as may he disposed unite in such an
expression Of the public sentiment, at the Merchants
Exchange, at half past : o'clock, Monday evening
n PRIME, GEORGE GRIFFIN,
r. M.BAWRENCE, JOHN DUER
JNO. GRISWOTD, JOHN RATHBONB u, Junr.
JNO. GOODHUE, r. RIKER.
ELISHA TIBBTTS, DAVID y. OGDEN.
T. SHELDON b. ROBINSON.
NJ. &. PATTERSON, JAMES 6. KING.
CHARLES II. RUSSELL.
II T. viii he seen in tho postscript, tliat arrival
- IL r. frwr rom I.-rr