Columbus Democrat. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 18??-18??, 1837-10-28

no THE PEOPLE OF MIssIssIPPL

the elamor Of those who declared that | had pur.
sued dOuble-laced course on the BaHk ques-
tloa, during The late Congressional election
But # had spoken with the tongue Of an angel
and written down my words with sun-beams,
there are those in Mississippi who would peuer
my meaning and misrepresenl my declarations.
L IS not my purpose hero to reply TO the nu-
IneEous attacks that have been made upon me-
betthem emanate from what quarter they may,
shall pass them by in silence BY some have
been honestly misundersloOd-bu others have
wilfully misFepresented me, aud set down for
pledges Of opinion and action on my part. what |
merely threw out BY way of conjecture, sugges-
ton and speculation. All that my enemies haze
published; all that they can publish cannot con-
yict me OF Inconsistency, much less Of deception
The ground that took during my Canvass was
that believed National Bank unconstitutional
but that bank or fiscal agent, properly restrict
ed was necessary in the present crisis, and there
fore was willing 10 vote for an amendment OF
the constitution to create one provided MAORI
" ofmy constituents instructed me to vote for
such an amendment. When the Wing commit
tee Of Columbus classcd mo as an unqualified
bank-n,an, ] Indignantly replied "lhat under no
circumstances would vote for National Bank
meaning that would not vote for such an insti-
tuition whilo tho present constitution remained
unaltcrcd.
My letter TO the editor Of tho Port Gibson
Souihener was written precisely in the same
spirit, aud expressed tho same views. | have
been loudly charged with an attempt TO dsceirs
that gentleman, as 10 obtain the support Of his
press. This is false, basely false, as | am au.
thorlzed 10 state by the editor himself lie well
knew my position; know my opposition 10 the
old bank; my opinion that no tank could be
chartered under the present constitution, und he
regrets as much rs an honorable man should do,
that our private correspondence on matter Of
personal concern, should be seized on 10 his alb.
senco, and pcrycredto my disadvantage. His
paper IA, i believe, conducted by some member
Of tho Port Gibson bar; some staggering attor-
noy beneath contempt; ga creeping thing so
small, that ho could crawl, without being crushed,
beneath tho hollow ofmy lootl'
ADumbor ofcttcrs written by mo TO different
individuals have been fenctled out and printed
Certificates, also, have been published they
all prove, Whatl Why precisely what state
in my Appeal --ihat beeyeda fiscal agent
ofsomc kind, under many restrictions and au-
thorized by an amendment Of the constitution.
was necessary | never occupied any other
ground than this during the canvass. Imay have
suggested other cypcdients by way Of conjecture,
ior lconfess my mind was not made up as to the
best mode frolievmg tho embarrassment Of the
country. An hundred plans were then under dis
cussion m all portions Of the countryside dem
ocratic party differed among themselves, nor was
there any thing like union Of opinion until the ap-
pcarancc Of the Presidents Message on tho
opening Of Congress.
notwithstanding ayowod myself willing 10
vote for an amendment Of tho constitution with
the view Of establishing Fiscal Agent on princi-
pics totally different from those upon which the
late United States Bank was established yet
il cannot be denied that the issue mado up 10 the
election was Bank or no Bank. In two or three
counties those members Of tho Democratic party
who Believed u bank necessary, voted for mo /;
but tho Bank-mcn proper, tho genuine Wing par.
y, went against me. They knew my position !.
they kneic me 70 DO against their Bank against
any Bank owned by foreigners and used for po.
lliical purposes; that would only vote for some
sale, limited, constitutional agont that meant
nothing moro, when expressed myself willing
10 vote for an amendment Of the constitution;
they KNEwall this, aud voted ngains, me. Ma.
ny who now pretend that they werc misled and
deceived speak lals6iy, Those that clamor so
loudly against me, did mol vote FOR me. They
uert net deeeited.
lcotnniIlea two errors during tho canvass. -
Tho oaswas, that in moment Of excitement
and sympathy Tor the general distress, yielded
with many olniy own party to the belief that Q
bank. Of cetlain. character, was necessary
Tho other was, ! did moi perceive that was
logged wherever went by gang Of spies ant
iniormers, who kept memorandum OF my words
who magniiicd all that | said; who construed
aeoyectare into pledge; men who t,ok notes
while receiving the hospitality Of my roof, ant
who treasured up for Islander aud defamation ev
cry light and trivial opinion that fell from my lips
am now paying the penalty Of this ctedulity.-
AT the distance ofone thousand miles from home
IN the discharge ofarduous public duties, withor
tho means of collecting materials Of defence
without tho time 10 use them if they were q
hand, liid myself assailed with iorocity I'm
cquaIcd N the Annals OF party warfare. Pnyat
letters and garbled extracts of public communicO
hons--certliicaics al conversations which nevc
held, Tor il held, were msundorstood,) charges
ltsnuntions, and surmises the crude miscor
captions OF sneaking stupidity and the daring tul
pitude ola swindlc's lbels*--all employed t
traduce and destroy me. Not content with lhes
efforts al homo, my enemies have flooded Cor
gross with their malignant handbilIs, in the val
hope of destroying my standing here. Do til
people Of Mississippi sanction such course
persecution aud traduction
The result Of our July election demonstrate
that 'argc majority Of the people were oppose
to bank. My own convictions, formed upo
mature delberation, induced me to vote fe
days since for resolution declaring i, "inexp,
dent 10 charter bank" and will never give NJ
assent to the establishment Of one. Tho mca4
wes recommended by Mr.. Van Buren, arc sue
as anticipated, conservative and salulary.
L.arrLnA c.l IL