Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 182?-183?, 1831-09-30
MIR. EATON'S REPLY
10 MEssRs. iNGuAM, BRANCH, & BrR
RIEN,
On the Dissolution ofthe late Cabinet.
Cry OF WASHINGTON, Sept. 1881
TO THE PUBLIC:

Cray OF WASHINGTON, Sept. 1881
TO THE PUBLIC:
Ii is with extreme reluctance that I an
pear before the public upon subject of pure
~ personal character. To me, nothing could
be more painful than the necessity ofbring-
ing INTO discussion, iii the newspapers, any
thing which concerns my private and domes-
INC relations. In civilized society, man.
house Is his castle, and the circle of his fam
n.y. sanctuary never TO be violated lie
who drags before the public its helpless in
mates, and subjects them TO rude assaults dc
serves to be considered worse than a barba-
ran. Against those Who commit such sat
riiege. and shun an honorable accountability
the public will justify an appeal, which, un-
der other circumstances, might not be CON
sidered admissible | expect not bv this CT
fort to silence those who have been assailing
all That rs dear to me. 1t may open afresh
the fountains oil their abuse. Ii is probable,
that the very remorse and shame which an
accurately drawn picture may produce, will
excite my prosecutors 10 raise clouds of fresl.
calumnles to break upon me with redoubled
Jury Let 1t all come my head is uncover
ed, and my bosom bare.
There IS another consideration which
would seem TO impose silence These are
times OF angry political contest, unsuited TO
dlspasSionate enquiry. Already have the en-
emles OF the President made use of my pri-
Vate relations TO nlure and harrass him. In
attempting TO represent him as dcvotin@ his
thoughts and his power TO further my views
and wishes, they seek TO blind the neopIe TO
the principles and acts of his administration.
they Will doubtless seize even upon my
humble efforts at self iIsdication as means
promoting that design, seriously calculat-
ing by their Vaccinations, that the people of
the United States may be wrought into a
tempest of passion" and thus induced TO
forget the signal success of his foreign nego-
tlations, and the unparalleled prosperity and
happiness which, under his administration.
our country enjoys,
But 10 all these consequences submit
myself with entire resignation. A portion of
tho community will at least do me Justice.
They will perceive that the President is in
no need OF any Developments from me to
give proofs OF his integrity, and that it is not
Tor his sake that present myself be fore the
public. tbs paramount duty which | owe
TO myself and 10 my family and which shall
be performed. Others may conceive, but
cannot describe, the pain those attacks have
inflicted. III was indeed enough that was
assailed in private circles, while was in Of
flee but retiring from IFS labors, with IA
view to sit down at my own home, in Ten
nessee, it was but reasonable expectation
to indulge, that might escape a repetition of
these assaults, and be permitted TO enjoy my
fireside and friends in peace. But instead of
putting an end 10 this unfeelin@ war, my re
signation served 10 make my enemies more
bold. What before was whispered in dark
corners, now glared in the columns cf the
newspapers Men who had been my friends;
who'had received iayors at my hands; who
had partaken OF the hOspitalitieS OF my house,
and given pledges otlriendshIp at my own
board, became my deadliest enemies, while
still coniidcd IN them. | sought that re
dress which wrongs so wanton and deadly
provoked, and which public opinion, under
such circumstances, has always justified. II
was refused in away which added insult 10
injury, and was then accused, by one OF the
malignant calumnators, as having sought
revenge at the head of band of assassins.-
Not satisfied with privately iniuring me in
my own, and the honor of my household and
shrinking from an honorable and lust ac-
countability, these persons have, one after
another, come before the public, 10 give
COuntenance and sanction 10 the calumnies
of reckless press. Mr.. Ingham, Mr.
Branch, and MIR. Berrien, with evident con
cert, anu deliberate design, by filling the
country with erroneous and discoiored Stale
ments, and substituting falsehood for truth,
have sought TO consummatc the ruin which
their conduct in Office so insidiously be san.
What can dor What course ADOPT =
There are persons committed 10 my charge
who arc dear TO me. | am their only pro-
tector Shall sec them worse than n7Ir-
dered, by men who claim the polish and The
culture of civilized life, and not lill my hand
and my voice 10 their rescue: These gen
tlcmen express desire TO preserve their
characters, az precious inheritance for their
children. Is the gOodnamc of mother Of
less value 10 her orphan daughters? Did
they forget, that she whom so relcntlessly
they pursue and who in nothing ever wrong
cd them, has two innocent little children.
whose father lies buried on foreign shore
Had these little ones ever injured them -
w ere they and their mother so much i'm the
way OF these gentlemen, that in their maip-
nuy they should consent TO sap the lounda-
lion OF their future prospects in life? Had
they no remorsc, in cOnspirng and seek inc
TO rob them of all that villainy and fraud had
left theni-the Inheritance of mothers rood
manner And if they could he stimulated in
their addresses 10 the public, by the desire
of transmitting to their children a spotess
honor and unsullicd name, what might moi
be expected Of me, in The defence ofthe SLAM
dered wife ofmy bosom, and her helpless
unguarded children ? Attacks ON myself,
disregard. n mans character is in his own
hands in las bosom lac knows how to pro-
teCt 1t. IL Is 10y his own acts only, that he
can be degraded. Not 20 with a lcmalc.-