Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1834-10-16
From the Evening Star.
LETTERS TO NJ. VAN buren,.
LETTER VIII.

SIR-The manner m which the oil 10
raise twelve thousand men, originated IN
1914, has been detailed. II was a measure
recommended by Gov. Tompkins; and as
the bill reported by Mr.. Van Buren,, differ
ed from thai reported by Gen. Root, il is
proper to examine in what the difference
consisted. The proposition of Gen. Root
was, that the men should be raised by
volunteer enlistments, and that as an in
ducement to enlist in the state service,
their pay should be increased, by adding
TO the pay given by the United States two
dollars per month. The State TO be re
sponsibie to the troops for the whole
amount Of their wages,
Mr.. Van. Buren's bill proposed that the
men should be drafted, from the body Of
the militia, and compelled 10 serve, or sop.
ply substitute. Il contained a provso
also that the United States should first
agree 10 pay them. Such were the points
Of difference as TO the details. But there
is another feature in your bill against
which Gen. Root protested, and from the
responsibility Of which your pander would
now protect you. He says, "Mr. Van
Buren, drew the bill for raising an army Of
$4,000 men to be placed under The command
Of The patriot. Iomphias" This is profit
gate misrepresentation, and when publish
ed was known to be such.
On the 9th of October, 1914, this par
ticuar section Of the law was discussed
As proposed by you, sir, il read, That
the troops to be raised by virtue of this
act; shall be subject TO The orders Of The
commander IN chief Of Tie armies Of the
United States"
Gen. Root offered an amendment, which
was. to strike out this clause, and insert,
THAT the troops TO be raised by virtue of
this act, shall be under the command Of,
and subject to the orders Of the com
mander IN chief. (Ionipkins,) but may be
employed in any place and in any service
in defence of the liberties and independ
ence of this State and of the United States.
,chich The commander IN chief Of The Slate
may direct"
This amendment OF Gen. Root was op.
posed by you, and ultimately rejected
thus taking from Governor TompkIns the
command of the State troops and placing
them at the disposal OF the United States,
beyond any control Of the Governor, al
though they were intended as substitutes
for militia With this fact recorded on
the journals OF The Senate, il requires an
extraordinary degree of impotence, to as
sert such a ftlsehood as is contained in |
the remark, that the troops thus to be
raised were, "to be placed under The com
nland of The patriot Tompkins.'
But there is another view of this ques-
ton, to which will briefly advert. You
are now endeayoring TO impress the South |
Nth belief that you are the friend OF
State rights. You know that your adhe- |
rents in New York will support you as |
State rights man; or as nulliiier, or as a
consolidationist, or in any other character
that you may deem it your interest 10 as
sumo. If ever any man was fairly entitled |
to the epithet "political mountebank," |
you, sir, are that man. Let me not how |
ever, be misunderstood. BY "your adhe- !
rents, ;" do not mean the friends of Gen
Jackson or of the late De Witt Clinton |
mean what say-"yotT adherents." But
nous verrons Your zeal in 1914, your
untlriug eXertions," at that time, to take
from the Governor of the State by spe
cial act of the legislature, the command
of the militia, and to place them exclusive
ly under the command Of the United
States, is lucid commentary upon your
State right principles. 1t is not necessary
to say whether yon were right or wrong
in exhibiting such extreme jealousy Of
Gov. Iompklns. He was known TO be the
ardent friend of the war, and might, there
tNle, have been safely entrusted with the
ommand of our militia. But | do moan
say, that your conduct on that occasion
9as in direct hostility to the dogmas Of
}he whole South, as now contended for
by shem; and yet your friends Richie
Rlves, Forsyth, and others Of that school
are chanting political lullaby 10 the
Sonthrons, IN your behalf on this yer,
point.
IL was intended to have explained tn,
reasons which probably induced Won tc
abandon Mr.. Clinton. They are, however
80 self evident that brief notice only i,
requisite. You commenced life politi
can by trade. In pursuing the trade, your
has ono, heen the zeal Of ordinary men.
As soon, therefore, as Mr.. Madison wa
re elected, dee. 1912 you began TO ar
range for abandoning Mr.. Clinton. TIL
Madlsonian party were triumphant Yo
have ever had an instructive antipathy L
m'nortles. You were appointed Judg
Advocate by the war department for In
trial OF Gen. Hull. You received on tina
occasion generous fee. Your adherent
say that you are grateful for fayors h,
slowed. Here let the curtain be dropped
ooihSihihD must NC lClt lOF lDe lInd9Ini
ton of the reader.
feel, sir. strong inclination to deta
scene AT Tammany Hall on particuls
occasion, when you might have truly sal
TO the Weskinki-" Pity the sorrows of
poor yotng man, whose trembling lint
have borne him to your door" Althoug
do not pretend TO have been PERSONAL
present, yet the incident was so fully d,
tailed to me, that pledge myself for i
accuracy. ! will only give you such hin
as will satisfy you that | am not una,
quainted with the facts
You went to New York. and if | a,
not mistaken, in company with Judge Sper
cer' A grand public dinner was to [
gwen at Tammany Hall; you sighed fc
an Introduction into the Sanhedrim va
were at that time an exile from the wis
"am' Under the protection of Judge SpeI
Ger you did not wish TO make YOUR er
,ree' unprotected you dared not to q
Aou called upoa a sentlman well know
as Maa'sonian, and requested the fayo