Southern telegraph., 1837-05-02
For the Southern Telegraph.
ROONEY. Anril 21th.

RoDNEi, Aprll @aln, 1901.
7otle Editors ofttc Courier & waaINaftbc.;
Some notice from me seems to be due to
ibe tissue of misrepresentation aud maev.
olenee which appeared in your columns, in
ibe form Of letter from Jefferson county
undor date lGh inst. Justice requires that
the colHmns Of the Journal, which have
been used to tradure me sholldbe employ
ed for my vin.)ication, IN order that my de-
fence may pass under the eycswhich have
been attracted to my accusation.
Y At an election recently holden in this
county for the Legislature, both the candi-
dates were gentlemen who hnd voted for
Alr. Van BWen for the Presidency. A
statement of the result Of the election, and
evidence or argument that this result was
not to be claimed as triumph of Van Btu
renisrn, in a county heretofore opposed to
thosodminis,ration, would seem to have been
all such an occasion called for on the part
of correspondent with different enquirers
This would have been enough for givcrs
and for searchcrs after information as to
public sentiment in This quarter. With this,
nevertheless, "A Whig'' is not Satisfied: he
must display, although there was no Wing
candidate in the canvass, "triumph, sig
nal triumph fir the Wings" Upon what
foundafionth this signal triumph rests, we shall
see hereafter
lngmaking out his title to a triumph, he
charges against me. am
accnsqd.by him of a "poliIicaI transfgura-
ton, lo use his own significant language,
'fecently undergone, from excessive bitter
ness and perrersity of opposition to "the
powerslhat be, }" to acts ofiawning sorviity
and miserable ceremoniais of party adula-
ion" These charges, with a double as
occt, make my condemnation to turn, not
upon what am, but upon what have been:
rot that am a Van B lrenist, but that |
nave been Whig: the difference between
ny competitor and myself being thnt,whilo
le has been always wrong, | Twas once right,
hongh now wrong Ideny the charges Of
'AWhig, "and call npoA my acouscr to
tand forth AMI establish them, Or acEhow
edge himself convicted caluinniator.
I'm not, and never was a Wing. am now
What every American citizen should be,
aided in bring this administra
ion into spower or not--a free political
gent--lrce alike to bcstow and to Withhold |
raise and ccnsure, anxious that its moa-
ures may deserve appreciation, but not
~ he spirit ofparty infatuation
he charges against me import not only q
hange Of opinion, but change not dictated |
y ''the still small ypico ofhonesty and du-
T." Whilst writing sanctimouious lee
ire upon honesty and daty, "a Whig'
Gems to blye forgotten that there was
omeIy virtue called Truth, inscribed upon
lc catalogue Of duties to ourselves, our fel-
Nv men, and oafGod. Now what is this
tightly stfansfgaration' ofopinion2 Ithas
cen somewhere said that none but fools
seF ehaage ther opinions. But here was
q change og opAau upon any cardinal
1h position ot the country was
sanged, and mat tbapge demunded rad
nai opinions adopted ID il altered
aiaen F. | voted Cor Henry !,
s. q, voted for Martin Van Bu- J
pressi0 e opinion was de- {
aa M hs fealine with which Il vas
pressed fancorous;p having