The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-07-11
A VAN buren, LEADER /!

VAN bOtEN LEADEhi
As Mr.. Charles J. Ingersoll, one of the great
apostles OF Loco Focoism, is so frequently re-
ierred 10 as the elegant scholar and accomplished
writer, we propose TO give an article from his
pen, which will answer a twofod purpose, that
OF displaying the grace of his style, as well as
the political principles" which he .cherishes. .
In order TO do full justice to him, we will give
the paragraph which led TO tins precious pro-
duction.
In the Democratic Press, Of Friday, June 9th,
1907, we find the following paragraph
"a wouLD-HAyE-BEEN TORY"
Zone of Governor McKean's officers who sup
planted democrat and who oficaies in the Orphan
Court, was heard to say the other day that had he
been man during the American Revolution, he
should have been Tory--that every man of honor
was a Tory at that time
Mr.. Ingersoll being the officer alluded to in the
above paragraph, feeling himself aggrieved, sat
down and after three days deliberation, wrote
for publication, the following letter, which we
md published in the same paper Of Monday
evening, June 8, 1907. We beg the reader to
bear In mind that at the time he wrote this letter.
he was an office-holder, enjoying the profits of
an office established by the blood of the Wing
patriots of seventy -six-patriots whom he was,
at that time, slandering-and whose lives, prin-
ciples, and property he would have waued
against, as Tory, if he had been old enough
to have borne arms during the struggle for indie
pendence. But to the letter:
Mr.. Binns--A alusion in your Fridays paper
to expression of mine requires correction you will
therefore do the Justice 10 make my explanation as
public as the attack.
"Some days ago, on my way to the Sheriffs office,
where had occasion to call found that gentleman
and Judge Jonathan Smith the in trent of the
State House After despatching my professional ar
engagements with the Sheriff. talked politics,
in the habit Of doing and with perfect good humor
Mr. Smith remained entirely neuter. General Barker
was, thought, more than usually animated in repro
baton of Tories upon which said, you have pub
lished, had been man during The Rer0iufion, 1
should hare been Tory, that many Of the best men
in the country were so then and that many of our
most exemplary fellow-ctzcns sided with the mother
country at that crisis. did not add that every man
of honor Tory at that time your paragraph
alleges trust am not addicted to such unqualified
denunciations; and am sure never can have ex-
pressed myself to that effect because most of those
persons with whom have been connected by ties of
affection and reverence were jealous and active
Wings.
"This part of what you have published is untrue,
and so derogatory to those political principles | che
IRISH, that hold myself bound to reute it.
Gas received an intimaton of your squib
yesterday morning, waited on Gen. Barker who de-
MED his honor having repeated what has been
reported to have fallen from me. | then waited on
Judge Smith who declared he had seen the paper
nor writing, nor authorized the publication These
gentlemen were the only persons present, within
hearing at the time Of the conversation. Upon my
calling you yesterday for your informant, after
| taking till this morning to ascertain whether you
should disclose him. you regretted that you not at
liberty to make me acquainted with him.
IF nothing more than what said had been com
municated TO you, would not have taken the mea-
sures did to havcyou authority, and might have
joyed the explosion of the squib less than the
respondent to whom you indebted for it. But as
am deprived of opportunity Of appealing to his
candid recollection, sincere wish to avoid making
enemies or giving offence unnecessarily, induces me
to adopt this alternative method of denying the only
part of the expression ascribed to which deem at
all exceptionabe, and which never did utter. in any
aspect all that said inconsiderate and undcserv
ing the ungenerous circulation il has acquired Per-
sons who can bear in mind such casual expressions
for the purpose of repeating them must be unworthily
employed and those who garble them for newspapers
| cannot but be actuated by mean and depraved mo-
| tives.
~ endeavor to modest nobody with my POLITICAL
| SENTIMENTS; though Idisdain TO disguise Them ho,c-
erer heretcdi they may sound at this time Of the tide
II Ihdd bsen capable Of reason and reflection inen
| the American Colonies took up arms against the
mother country, should hare been arhat is termed
Tory, can erer consider that dppeildtion Of
| reproach! | am too warm friend to genuine free
dom to damn another for mere difference of opinion;
at the time rejoice at the event of the struggle
and infinitely attached to the independence
| and republican institutions of my country than many
of those who have lately joined furousy in their
panegyric.
c. j. INGERSOLL.
| No 1870, Chestnut street