Vandalia Whig and Illinois intelligencer. [volume] (Vandalia, Ill.) 1832-183?, 1834-02-13
- - g., ~
FOR THE wHIGs

observed an article over the signature
If Vandalia making some insidious and
alse accusations against gentleman re-
iding in the South, whose standing and
character is far beyond the reproach of
he eruGlte gentlemen, who has manu-
actured the article to which l have re-
erred, and who SO artfully shelters him
elf from public scrutiny under fcti-
,ious title. shall follow his example in
screening myself for the present, because
am conscious that he will remain under
he same covering until a fresh impulse
IF selfshness nerves him again TO sally
forth from his secluded retreat, and stab
in the dark the first one who comes in
his way. Did such state of facts re-
ally exist, as is stated by Vandalia, or
was the gentleman to whom he refers,a
candidate for Office, which would present
his political character before the people
for their scrutiny, his course would be
less censurable, his appeals then might
be heard, and the people might listen TO
his invocations, if only for the. sake Of
courtesy. But such state Of things
does not exist. Ispeak knowingly when
/ say that the gentluuan alluded to as
having attended caucuses and endeay-
ored to elicit from the people the NOM
iEation for GoVerno,, Is not correct, nor
has he ever at any time harbored the
least inclination to become candidate
for that Office. .....,...
4 am well convinced however, that it
is not in that department where the pro-
phetic writer apprehends the danger;
but it may be in the southern division,
where he is fearful the gentleman allu-
ded to, might blight the prospects Of
some Of those, to whom he owes polite.
al allegiance. as it is not yet too late. To
destroy this probability is the principal
aim Of the article over the signature Of
Vandalia. Upon what other grounds
are the gross charges, alleged in the ar
ticle at this unreasonable time predica-
ted, than TO the uncharitable. motive Of
poisoning public sentiment against the
"gentleman in the South" that his claims
topublic confidence should he ever be-
come an aPplicart) would not be fairly
appreciated.
More reckless charges than those
could not be arrayed against an indiv,d-
ual, in the warmest political contests,
even where the parties were fairly oue
before the people, and their political
characters were subject to the severest
scrutiny. Let us now for moment ex-
anime the proof set forth in the article
to convince the unprecedented mind, that
the individual TO whom Vandalia REFERS
has "divinginto everylittlc caucus''
Tor the express purpose of ringbroueht
forward as candidate. He says that
he has heard that such was the fact. l
would ask him, as he is doubtless ac-
quainted with legaiprinciples, whether
'h.eorsoy testimony is legally recognized;
II not why does he use such latitude to
sustain his position? Why not state facts
Of his own knowledge and not resort to
such kind Of testimony, which he knows
Is never or at least very seldom used:
does ne suppose that an intelligent COM
munity willrePose confidence in his hear
says, without corroborating testimony ;or
that they will not rather attribute it to his
versatile imagination magnifying some
unlmPortant circumstance intosa desire
to be brought forward as candidate.
In this famous article of Vandalia. we
discern frequent repetition of the term
zrould be? l would inquire the meaning
OF the term; forif l am not greatly mis-,
taken in its definition, i would at once
say that Tandalia himself comes clearly.
within my understanding of it, though he
may be for the present basking in the
sunshine Of Government patronage, the
reform Of which will leave him in a
worse situation than the individual to
whom bis unwarrantable illusions are
directed.
rnere is one principle, however, re-
cognized in his article which cannot
Dot admire, IT strictly adhered to; it is
t =! puohc sentiment should fix upon \
the candidate for office, But has Van
aalia In his own political course, carried
into practice the salutary rule which he
Prescribes to others? / think not; for
had he uniformly adhered 10 that rule
! am Pursuaded that he would yet te,
main In political obscurity.
but the Southern gentleman" has
been sioat'ng Coffin Hand6ills. Pit;fni
LA. s This charge though ground
sss mas been made in times past. when
I wa: met and honorably refuted and
low Iandal'a has thought proper to
'rlng it up again, (having nothing else