The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1838-06-05
From the No1o York Commercial
"THE MARTYRDOM OF CILLEY.

"THE MARTYRDOM OF CILLEY."
Notwithstanding the signal failure, thus far
of" The party" to work up the duel in which
Cilley fell, into political capital, the faithful,
down East are pursuing the Improbable game
The body of Mr. Cilley having been carried home
great political funeral was got up for the oc-
casion. Subsequently we find the following res.
ontion by "the democratic republicans of Manner
"Voted, That they deem it the imperitive du-
ty ofthc democratic republicans of the State, to
erect, as tribute of respect monument to the
memory of the late Hon. Jonathan Cilloy, for his
having fallen martyr to the cause of democracy
and the freedom and Speech"
The Connecticut Observer, sound religious
paper, makes the following brief but just com
mentary upon this resolution
What an abuse oflanguage A duelIist mar
tyr! martyr to the cause of Democracy, and
of freedom of speech! Fighting duels about
words spoken in debate, is IA singular mode of
promoting the cause of democracy and of free
dom of speech THAT cause does not need such
martyrs.
Non tall auxiIio nee defensoribus istis,"
What weapons more inappropriate when the
cause OF popular liberty and free debate is assail-
ed than those Of the dueIlist! And yet those
were the weapons which Cilley bore. BY the
very fact of engaging in duel, he sanctioned,
so far as his example could do il, practice which
violates the most essential of the popular rights,
the right to fe-and yet he is regarded mar
tyr to the cause popular liberty!
The best commentary upon the resolution,
however, is contained in the following article
from the. Portland Courier We have kept the
article by us long enough to allow Mr. Reuel
Williams to deny the statement, if he can. AS
he has not done So we take its truth for granted,
and we hope the Portland writer will proceed
with his disclosures -
To THE Hon. REuEL WILLIAMS. is we'll
recognized principle that the representatives OF
the people are accountable at all times TO their
constituents for their public acts, and they are
always held answerable to reply to cOmmunica.
tions duplicating their character. Much excite
ment you are aware existed in the public mind
relative to the unfortunate conflict which termin-
ated in the death of Mr. Cilley. At the time n
political party, driven as they now are to desper
alton and Selling as they do upon every event
that can by possibility retrieve tOttering cause
endeavored to nslil into the public mind the be-
lefthat there was a combination among the Wing
party to destroy Mr. Cilley. They moved heaven
and earth to produce the effect, and probably in
some measure succeeded in their most wicked
designs TO disabuse the public impression,
created by the most unholy means, and produce
right convictions on this subject, in this paper
the 3lst of March, made the following direct
charges against YOU: "that your letter TO YOUR
son written on the morning Of the duel, would
furnish abundant proof that you wnkad at the
transaction, that you knew the encounter was to
take place, and did not move your finger to check
it: that you knew Mr. Cilley, in practising with
a rifle, hit in thirteen successive shots within the
compass OF six inches, and therefor was sure of
his man; that Mr. Cilley was in fine spirits, had
slept sound the night previous; and if he sue
ceeded would elevate him far above any member
Of Congress from New England.
To these positive allegations you made no re-
ply, nor your friends in your behalf and as sut-
fcient time has elapsed for this purpose, the pub
lie have the right to believe the allegations al
legged above as true We therefore consider it
proved beyond possibility of a doubt, that you
wrote such letter, and we rightly infer that
more damning facts against you would be devel-
oped you published this letter. Why not pub
ish ii? Might not this letter discover deep-laid
plot by you and your political friends to push hlr
Cilley to the fight? Let the people have the let
ter, and they can then Judge. Honesty, YOU will
lind before this subject is dropped, is the best
oolicy-a maxim you should he made familiar
with, even at this late period of your political
life. We now call on You to answer yes or no
did not you and your political friends hold
meeting at your boarding house, on the evening
~ thc tuol, anu ueTe COuSul upon tiie
sxpediency of suffering the duel TO progress, and
was 1t not then determined that Mr. Cilley was
sure OF his man." and political movement
would he admirable? If you deny this charge,
md publish the letter written by you your son,
which will deveope the mysteries. we shall adj
iress you again on the subject. Then, if our
passion obtain mastery over our judgment, by
Villfnl and stubborn silence on your part, and
our friends also, you and they may expect some
otemn truths. I'll then shall be silent as
o the contents of another letter written inme- ,
lately after the duel by immediate member
It your family. TRUTH.
Mr.. GRAVES SPEAKING FOR HIMsELF.-Mr.
raves, last week, IN the u S. House of Repre- ! !
, the late duel, as follows:- G
" i should do Injustice IN myself were I 10 S