The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1831-09-27
CORRESPONDENCE" CONTINUED.
Mr. Edton's Reply TO .Messrs. Ingham, Branch
and Berien. On The Dissolution Of the
tate Cabinet.
no THE PUBLIC.

| AolhE FObLlCs
| City Of Washington, September, 1881
II is with extreme reluctance that appear
before the public, upon a subject purely OF
personal character. To me, nothing could be
more painful than the necessity Of bringing
'hto discussion, III the newspapers, any thing
which concerns my private and domestic re
iations: In civilized society, mans house is
MS castle. and the circle Of his family sanctu-
try never to be violated. He who drags be.
lore The public it's hell pless inmates. and sub.
Jects them to rude assaults, deserves to be
considered worse than barbarian. Against
those who commit such sacrilege, and shun on
honorable accountability, the public will justi.
~ an appeal, which, under, other circunstan-
ces, might not be considered admissible
expect not by this effort to silence those who
have been assailing all that is dear to me. 1t
may open afresh the fountains of their abuse.
II Is probable, that the very remorse and
shame which an accurately drawn picture
may produce, will excite wy prosecutors to
raise clouds of fresh colunnles TO break upon
me with redoubled fury. Let it all come !my
head Ia uncovered, and my bosom bare.
There Is another considerable which would
seem to impose silence. These are times of
angry political contest, unsui,ed to dspas-
slonate inquiry. Already have the enemies
OF the President made use ofmy private rela-
tons to injure and harrass him In attempt.
ing to represent him as devoting his thoughts
and his power to further my views and wishes,
they seek to blind The people to the principles
and acts Of his administration. They will
doubtless seize even upon my humble efforts
at sell vndicatlon as means Of promoting that
design seriously calculating by their machlna.
| m Ill
may be wrought into a "tempest Of passion"
and thus induced to forget the signal snccess
OF his foreign negotiations, and the unparal.
lcled prosperity and happiness which, under
his administration, onr country enjoys.
But to all these consequences submit my
self with entire resignation. A portion ofthe
community will at least do me justice. They
VIII perceive that the president is in no need
OF any developements from me to give proofs
OF his integrity, and that it is not for his sake
that present myself before tho public. tits
paramount duty which owe TO myself and
TO my family, and which shall be performed.
others may conceive, but | cannot de-
scribe, the pain those attacks have inflicted.
itwas indsed enough that / was assailed in
private circles, while was in Office; but re-
firing from lis labors. with view To sit down
at my own home, in Tennessee, il was but a
reasonable expectation to indulge, that |
might escape a repetition Of these assaults,
and be permitted 10 ENJOY my hreside and
friends in peace. But instead Of putting an
end to this unfeeling war, my resignation
served to make my enemies more bold.
What before was whispered in dark corners,
now glared in the columns ofihe newspapers.
Men who bad heen my frends--who had re-
ceived favors at my hands-who had partak
en- Of the hosptalites Of my house, and given
pledges of friendship at my own board, be
came my dcadliest enemies while stll con.
fded in them. | sought that redress which
wrongs so wanton and deadly provoked, and
which public opinion, under such circumscn.
ces, has always justified. 1t was refused in
a way which added insult to injury ;and was
then ascused, by one ofthe malignant caum.
niators, as having sought revenge al the head
OF band of assassins. Not satisfied with
privately injuring me in my own, and the hon
or of my household, and shrinking from an
honorable and just accountability, these per.
sons have, one after another, come before the
public, to give countenance and sanction to
The calumDes of reckless press. Mr.. Ing.
ham, Mr.. Branch, and Mr.. Berren, with ev-
dent concert, and deliberate design by filing
the country with erroneous discolored state.
ments, and substituting fa!sehood for truth.
have sought to consumn,ate the ruin which
their conduct in office so insidiously began.
What can do? What course adopt
There are persons committed to my charge
who are dear 10 me. ] am their only protec.
tor. Shall see them worse than murdered,
by men who claim the polish and.the culture
of civilized life, and not ltt my hand and my
voice for their rescue? These gentlemen
l.. thasr ola.o
as a precious inheritance for their children
Is the good name of mother, ofless value to
her orphan daughters: Did they forget, that
she whom so reenllessly they pursue, and
who IN nothing ever wronged them has two
innocent little children, whose father lies
buried on foreign sborcT Had those little
ones ever injured them? Were they and
their mother so much in the wpy Of these
gentlemen, that in their malignity they should
consent to sap the foundation Of their future
prospects in life , Had they no remorse, in
conspiring and seeking to rob them Of all that
villany and fraud had left them-the inhcri
tance Of mothers good name And if,hey
could be stimulated in their addresses To the
public, by the desire Of transmitting to their
children a spotlcss honor aud unsullied name,
what might not be expected Of me, in defence
Of the slandercd wife Of my BOSOM, and her
helpless, unprotected children' Attacks on
myself, disregard. A mans character is in
his own hands in his bosom he knows how
to protect ii.-lt is by his own acts only, that
he can be degraded. Not so with female.
The innocent and The guilty alike, the cnven.
omed tongue Of slander may reach and dc.
stroy. II is withering blast, which can
blight the sweetest rose, as well as The most
nosome weed.
Although expect nothing at the hands of
those who can violate the laws Of social life,
and all the precepts of"holy charity !" yet, by
an exposure Of their motives and designs,