Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1831-07-28
HNesss"y Esce2siss, .FssIy 90.
THE "MALIGN INFLUENCE,n sc.


we nave waited with no small curiosity TO SEQ
the course which the Globe, speaking rs it is well
known, the sentiments of General Jackson, would
take in relation to the publication of Mr. Berrien
Whether General Jackson would confess the prob
abb lty of his having been mistaken in relation tn
ehe paper which he says he read to Messrs Berrien
Dranch and lngham, but which those gentlemen
concur III declaring, never read to them-or
"hether he would persist in his asseveration after
ther solemn and unanimous denial-whether Col
o communication TO the same gentlemen,
"'uiu oe "'Sdoo'oea' and Col Johnson given up
one who had not only exceeded his authority but
was discredited by Messrs. Berricn, Branch and
lngham, themselves-or whether the ground would
De boldly and unqualfedly TAKEN that Col. Johnson
had made no such requisition in the name of the
President, and consequently, that the statement to
that effect, made by Mr. Berrien and corroborated
by Mcssrs Ingham and Branch, was false ,viIfully
deliberately, and corruptly. The Globe of yesterday
mas satisfied curiosity. 1t contains the follow
ing editorial articles
We lay before readers to-day, Mr. Bcrriens'
address to the public. We will review it DELHI
erately, and show from mass of circumstances
IN addition to Col. Johnson's positive testimony
that the charge which Messrs. Berrien Branch
~ lngham now urge against the President is utterly
nnJounded We will show from its contradiction
Nof well known fact, susceptible of the cearest
statement
incorrect; and that Notwithstanding Messrs Berrien
Branch and Ingham, the Interested PARTIES who
make this evidence unite in saying that 1t is ia
Ken from notes made at the time by Mr.. Ingham
and that III their s'repedted Eonrersations," they
concurred in its detais-yet that it furnishes in
ltselfa clue from which we will prove it is not a
true record We will show, moreover that it stands
contradicted, not only by the impartial toitness
who communicated between the President and
these parties, but also by the knowledge of all
those near TIE President, and acquainted with his
views.
There is one thing somewhat remarkable in rela
ton to tins transaction, to which we would call
public attention. 1t is, that these parties should
nave slept over circumstances of such aioakening
interest TO the american people," for more than Is
inonths.! May not the inclination to conceal this
long delay IN doing public justice, have prompted
MI lngham to give his record the date of27th Jan
1901, when, 1t as Mr.. Berrien says, 'these
notes were taken at the time" and ShOl1n to him
shortly after, the date would have been January,
1902
We must at least, give the Globe credit for bold
ness. 1t has taken the bull by the horns and pro-
tesses Its determination, to disprove the statements
ot Messrs Berrien, Ingham, and Branch, in
other words to convict those gentlemen of false
hood. Col. Johnson is not to be sacrificed, but
sustained 1t is to be proved, not that he had
thority merely, to make such requsition in the
name of the President, but that he did make ii
at all. These say, bold grounds. Can
they be sustained? Is it likely that the Globe can
be successful in its proposed attempt to asten the
charges of lying and conspiracy, on such men
Berrien, Branch, and Ingham Il has not dsco-
sed its proofs, and cannot therefore, Judge of
their force-but we certainly, have no idea that the
attempt will be successful. 1t is but small COM
pliment to those gentlemen, to pronounce, in the
absence of evidence, that the attempt will prove
utterly futile, and injurious to those only, who
make it.
This alledged attempt of the President to regu-
late Society," is stated to have been made in Jan'y
~ Mr.. Ingham, dates his notes of the trans
in Jan'y, 1881. 1t will be observed, that the
Globe intends to rely on this, to prove, that Mr.
Inham took notes he says he did, but that the
date of Jan. 1881, proves that the whole transac-
ton fictitious, and fabricated for political eff
feet. We understand this to be te purpose of the
Globe. But what more probable, than that copying
for the press, for Mr.. Berren, a memorandum
which he had taken in 1880, Mr.. Ingham through
accident inadvertcnce, should have dated it as
occurring in 1881? In fact the msdate is evidence
of Mr. Ingham's truth; for if he had fabricated the
memorandum, he would have been more on the
que rice, than to att CHI date which falsified it.
The circumstance Is too trivial, might too easily
and probably have happened innocentIy, to make
any impression,
Such are the grounds taken by the Globe, the
only genuine Jackson Van Buren, Democratic Re-
publican paper yet heard from, except the Bati-
more Republican. We think the Globe will regret
not having the Republican, before it broke
ground. 1t has displayed, if not gaantry
more goneralship. 1t says:
'FThe first point, mainly ifnot exclusively concerns
Col. Jonson, on the one part,-and Messrs. Berrien
Branch, and Ingham the other. There seems to
be, wide discrepancy between their understanding
of what he intended to convey-and his statement
of what he did in fact The msapprehen-
sion is great,-aud when consider the particu-
larty with which Mr. Ingham recapitulates,-and
the sincerity with which the memory Of Mr.. Ber-
rIen adhcres to the impression which it received.
only account for tie strong differences
which they display, by supposng he whole CONVEX
sation to have been wide and desultory occupied
much in spcculations, and suggestions, as in any
grave statements by authority, annunciations of
executive determination. We have therefore, to
wait for Col. Johnsons detailed sta cment of his
corrected and deliberated recollection of what
he intended to be understood TO say.
OF what he was in fact &" guthorjzsd" to say
which is the second and only material point,
dates to the Presidents concern in the D;atter-we
have this statement already and it completely clears
the SKIRTS Of The Prcsideni-of any part or portion
of this scheme Of ''cocrcIon" What Col Johnson
did in fact say, is question to be settled by the
memories of the ex-cabnet ofliccrs,-but of what
he had the authority Of Cen Jackson for commu-
nicating there can he according to the testimony
little doubt. He trns MT 0UfhOrized tie make INN
Such rcquiSition Or offer any such fhreaf-and that
is n sufficient vDdIcation for Gen Jackson
Mesa1s Bprripu and In oltar, l.. J--.-