The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-06-09
Psem as clarlotlts,ils Jf0ersonian Republican.

| castle Democrat containing communication under
| the signature OF Democritns," condeInning the
course Of the Representative Of this District, and
! charging him with Inconsistency, VI being Clay
man, Of unjusy attacking the opinions Of Col Ben
ton, Of being peg Of the Hon VIC Rives, and
| al going 10 New York on poliilcal mission, &c.
! &c. The lasl of which The editor Of the Democrat
could have contradicied, rs letter on that subject
appeared in this paper written by The Major himself,
4 denying The charge.
All Who know any thing Of Major Garland viii
not believe that he will shrink from any responsible
~ that he may incur in consequence OF his Votes
public acts He fears not the charges Of any man.
whether brought against him In distant par ofIhe
State, aud before people not directly interested In
knowing what he does, or whether by one Of his
constituents, who may have the honesty TO confront
him face TO face before those most interested in
I ming the acts OF their own Representatives.
/ We take upon ourselves the responsibility ofpub.
fishing the following letter written 10 US BY MI Gar
land on the subject.
| WASHINGTON, June 2, 1888
My Dear Sir--I received your letter of the 3lS
ultimo, as also the number OF the I" Fincaslle Demo
crat" containing wanlon ard unprovokcd attacks up
on me- by the Editor and a correspondent over the
signature Of /" Democrltus." To neither ofthese at
tacks shall | make any reply knowing my own
4 motives better than any human being can possibly
know them, satisfied with the reclitude Of my in
| tentionS and feelings amply prepared 10 yindcale
and justify myself before my constituents TO whom
alone am responsible; | shall not enter into The
field OF CONTROVERSY with any tdilor any cores
pendent, who from motives of personal hostility
political prescription may crafty their inclinaons
in these attacks upon man who has done nothing
10 provoke the one or invite the other. III stand
IN need oiihese deicnccs my constituents will very
readily supply my place with one more entitled 70
| their confidence.
My New York speech which the correspondent of
The Fincastle paper undertakes TO review il can
interpret my own language contains not the slightest
| impuiation upon The " Committee Of Finance" of
The Senate, or the COMMITTEE Of Ways and Means
Of the House OF Representatives il II is susceptible
OF such an Interpretation | can only say that did
not design II only intended TO illustrate what would
be the result Of the Subtreasury bill in relation 10
the increase Of officers and expenses, by what had
been the result in the creation Of all The officers and
bureaus of the Government. Nothing was farther
from my intention than either To make or insinuae
such charge upon either of the Committees. need
too much charity for my errors 10 make such
charges upon others W ho differ with in opinion.
On referring to my speech at New York, cannot
perceive that have made any reference To Colonel
Benton which should have aroused the sensibilities
| OF ais friend" the correspondent OF the Demo-
era" referred 10 his opinions upon two points in
support Of the opinions which was expressing in
the most respectful terms without reference 10 his
present opinions, or uerng single syllable about
| his consistency or inconsistency. In doing this
cannot conceive that there is the slightest cause of
complaint on the part of Col, Benton or his friends
however strong their sensibihty If it shall be said
that, have mSquoted his opinions then am bound
10 produce The proofs, which am ready and will do
4 whenever my own defence requires il. II is most
singular that in the multitude and violence of the
attacks which have been made upon Col, Benon's
opinions and their consistency, that who have made
none, or made no reference TO them, except in the
most respectful terms should have been selected as
the victim upon whom all the wrath of his friend'
| should have been poured.
ToinSinuate thai was an opponent of the late ad-
minstration, is TO tax the credulity OF my friends,
4 particularly in my own county, too largely and
shall say nothing about it, That have not approved
The measures of the present administration in fela-
ton 10 the receipt and custody OF the public revenue
is true is charge 10 which plead guilty; il is
also true that have strongly and ardeny opposed
! ii; and as long as entertain my present opinions
shall continue to do So and see no probability OF
any change. What should do2 My own judg-
ment condemns it, and large majority of my con-
stituents are opposed to it, Unless indeed am to
regard the Wings as aliens and not constituents,
which no republican would have me do. Should l
then in despite of my own honest convictions Of TRUTH
/ and the decided hostile opinions Of an overwhelming
Majority Of nay constituents vote for the Sub Trea
/ Sufy sche'ne because il favorite measure of
| The Executive, and sustained by a majority of lis
friends in Congress. Every principle Of republi,
in sentiment will say no, and yet for pursuing that
course which my duty TO my constituents and my
own conscience required me to pursue, am Ieved
and abused. This is freedom. Of opinion and 0Ic-
dience to the public will with vengeance
The charge that went to New York on poiti-
cal errand is again repeated-l have already stated
to my constituents for what purpose went 10 New
York, whenever they require proof Of the truth of
!
until then shall content myself with giving TO the
charge an unqualified denial
am charged with being al heart Clay man.
! The charge is untrue in every sense Of The word,
unless regard for that gentleman, high minded,
talented and honorable man constitutes me his po-
ltical friend; but as regards his political aspirations
his leading political opinions the charge is totally
without foundations | have not been and am not
now political friend of Mr. Clay, and if proof
necessary would refer TO that gentleman himself
my principles, whether orthodox not, do not sit
loosely upon me- 10 be thrown off every change
of the moon
The correspondent of the !" Democrat thinks he
has detected me in an inconsistency which seems 10
afford him much qualification, in reference 10 my
opinions upon the banking system. He quotes from
letter written by me to the editor OF the Lynchburg
/ Virginian this expression, "The credit Banking
system) is beneficial to the mercantile but always
prcjudicial TO the agricultural and mechanical in
tereS"+ have not now that letter by me- you have
il and refer 10 il: but il my memory does not
grossly deceive me, this expression had reference
credit bank and not to the banking system for if
do not misrecoec in that very letter / stated that
The advantage TO the agricultural interest from The
banking system to be indirect through the inStru-
mentality of commerce. now say as then said, it
is disadvantage 10 planters and farmers generally
to borrow of banks while il is advantageous to the
merchants
have said what now repeat, that from my oppo-
sition to the Sub Treasury scheme will not retrdct
inch, but This is not saying that am opposed to
any compromise, or concession. | will not WELD
principle but will yield much of detail TO secure the
final acton of Congress upon this harassing and
vexed subject; am too well apprsed of the neceS-
Sity of harmony and compromise in all matters of
! Legislation, 10 adhere pertinacously To my OPT
Mons both il regards principle and detail have
said no such thing, have designed no such thing
this charge is entirely gratuitous and unfounded.
!, In letter written by Mr. Garland to the editor