The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-06-09
FOR THE MADIsoNIAN
HON. WILSON LUMPKIN.

Mr.. Lumpkin is a Senator from the State of Geor
gia. In the Globe of the 18th Of June, we find his
general epstle the inhabitants Of Georgia upon the
all engrossng subject Of the candidates for President
Hc informs us that he has written the article to relieve
himself from the daily labor Of answering letters &c
II was first published in the Southern (Ga) Ban
1t is there stated TO he calm appeal TO the peo-
Pile of the State &c have read the letter with some
attention, and have known Gov Lumpkin about
long, and quite WELL as he has known General
Harrison, could but ask myself, by virtue of what
authority does Gov. Lumpkin undertake to weigh and
measure and the respective talents of General
Harrison and Mr.. Van Buren, n Is il believed and
admitted by those who know Senator Lumpkin best
that he possesses those extraordinary discriminating
talents and superior judgment which essential in
qualifying him to neigh and the distinguish
ed men who the people have thought proper to name
fit candidates for President? have before observ-
cd, that ! well knew Senator Lumpkin-I have known
him as Representative in Congress, Gov. of Georgia,
and Senator of the United states-I admit he has
held important Offices admit he has been popular
man in Georgia. and many ycars ago was led to ask
very seriously, whence his popularity gentle
replied, :" he is reported to be pious man, and
that has greater influence in Georgia than you are
aware Of" have no disposition TO question his piety;
but could but regard his description Of the evils
which might befal this country in the event of the
Of General Harrison as very naturally flow
ing from his weak and distempcred imagination 1t
will be remembered that fanatics may have art and
cummings they are only monomanacs, and mono I'M
principled. II is only "pous fraud, the end sanctfes
the means" This pious fanaticism has rendered Mr.
Lumpkn, in the name Of pety, quite much Of ia
matte in relation TO Indians any Northern abolition
ist as to negroes.
But, to return. Why was this famous letter writ
ten at this time Have we any new facts No. Ii
written barely to introduce Senator Lumpkin as
witness. But he has testified to nothing new His
story has been told twenty times in the Globe; but
some twenty years ago, he actually boarded served
in Congress with General Harrison. Take his own
words upwards of twenty years ago, served in
Congress with General Harrison and being boardcr
under he roo (whether the same table or not
does not appear from the narrator had the usual OPP
porunty afforded under such circumstances of know
ing General Harrison as eiras when in the prime of
intellectual manhood" Mark that reader what
sly dirkmg, as he ros Again "my personal ac-
quaintance with Mr.. Van Buren, is more mited-be-
ing chiefly confined the last three years intercourse
which has grown out Of my present position Now,
for the opinion G" consider the difference in the &c
neral character of the two individuals for the station
under consideration as immcasurcabc as Domino
Sampson would say, Prodi-gi-ous." The idea of
seeing Mr.. Lumpkin holding the balance of his own
mind, to weigh two distinguished men, and certify
upon honor" which is hes, qualified for President and
L. L. A.
L.. your humble capacity, il free from fanatcism and
prejudice would i'll qualify you measure the length
and breadth of the understanding Of great man;
you may well say "immeasurabie." Yet, your party
as you happened to board "under the same roof" with
General Harrison have depucd you to state his cha
ractcr and qualifications from memory of more than
twenty years.
Now for the wit which would hardly expect
from such character, but the Governor no doubt
wrote ii, for it is under his hand and seal
He, in speaking of General Harrison, says, he is
clay in the hands of the potter How beautifully this
pious man has turned solemn passage Of scripture in
to witty pun Again; he is OF the general we'll
fare school, another witty hit Just turn il into so
Der earnest and ask is j, not high time to have Pre-
sdcnt who regards the general welfare, in preference
to party and political welfare.
Again, Mr. Lumpkin says the President, Mr.. Van
Buren, is charged with being Northern with
Southern principles and that he urges good reason
why every Southern should support him l. not
tho gentleman aware that this argument has two
edges If the South insist upon having Presidcn,
with Southern principles, I will not pretend to draw
The distinction between the Northern and Southern
principles that the North win ask for a man with