Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1833-03-07
NINE la BAGATELLE


Under the guse of simplicity and Yam
kee quaintness, there is great deal Of
sound sense and apt illustration in Sc
ries of letters published in the Portland
Courier, purporting to be written by
members ofthe Downing tamily-one re-
siding at Washington, and the other at
Downing svIle, in the State Of Maine.
We subjoin an extract Of a letter writ
ten by Joshua Downing to his nephew
Jack, with the reply Of the latter, which
are in vein of humor that will secure
them hearing. The former is a strik-
ing hit at the folly and absurdity Of those
who know nothing of principles, except
as they are filtered through the sieve Of
party; and the latter shems up nullifica-
ton in its :rue light and bearing n.
Y. Commercial ADV.
DowNlNGsvILLE, State ofMaine,
Dec. 9th, 1882.
To Maj. Jack Downing, at Washington
City, or if he is gone to South Carroll
ma, want President Jackson to send
this along to him.
Ny DEAR UNcLE:-
We got your last letter and the Presi-
dents Proclamation both together, though
| see your letter was written two days
first. That Proclamation is a capital
thing. You know pve made politics my
study for forty years, and must say it's
the most ginuine republican thing ever
come acrost. But what was the most
provoking thing about it, was, all the old
iederalisis in town undertook to praise it
tn. Squire Dudley, you know, was al
ways iederdlist, and an Adams man tn.
] met him the next day after the ProcIa-
nation come, and be was chock full of
the matter. Says he, Mr. Downing, that
Proclamation is JUS, the thing. Its the
true constitutional doctrine. We all sup
port the President in this business through
thick and thin.
My dander began to rise, and ] could
not hold in any longer. Says |, Squire
Dudley, shut up your clack, or III knock
your clam-sheIls together pretty quick.
It's got to be pretty time Of day indeed,
if after we have worked so hard to get
President Jackson in, you federalists are
going to undertake to praise the Procla-
nation as much as though he was your
own President You've right to grum-
bic and find fault as much as you like;
but don't let me hear you say another
word in favor it, ifyou do Ill make
day light shine through you. The old
man hauled in his horns and marched off
looking shamed enough.
The next day we concluded to have
public meeting to pass resolutions in fa-
vor ofthe Proclamation. was appoint
cd Chairman. The federal party all
came focking round and wanted to come
in, and help praise the President We
told 'cm no; it was our President, and
our Proclamation, and they must keep
their distance. So we shut the doors and
went on with our resolutions. BY and
by the federal party begun TO hurra for
Jackson outside the house. At that
told Sargent Joel s. your cousin + phraim
and two or three more Of the young De-
HloCIul > w w Out anu tINuI Spusl w
them are felIers. And they went out s.,
Sargent Joel drew his piece Of scythe
and went at 'em, and the iederallsts run
like flock of sheep with a dog after 'em
So we finished our resolutions without
getting drop Of federalism mixed with
'em, and sent 'cm on TO the President by
Sargent Joel. lie got his company to-
gether last week, and they filled their
knapsacks with bread and sausages and
doe nuts, and started for Washington ac-
cording TO your orders.
was glad 10 see that hint in your let
fer about a post-ofiice here. We need
one very much. And if the President
should think ought to have it, being
I've always been such good friend TO
him, Jack, I'm always ready TO sarve my
country.
So remain your loving Uncle,
JOSHUA DOWNING.