Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1840-06-11
4 CITIZEN on GEORGETOWN
LETTER OF THE HON. JAMES GARLAND
OF VIRGINIA. TO HIS CON-
SrITuENIS

am well aware, fellow-cilizens, that
my former opposition to General Harfi-
son, and some disparaging remarks which
made about his capacity and fitness for
the Presidency, have been, and will be,
again brought up 10 judgment against me,
with view TO convict me of inconsistent.
cy. Misled by the vile SANDERS which
were perpetrated upon General Harrison,
deceived by those calumnies which float
ed in masses through the filthy columns OF
a party press, and ignorant alike Of Gen.
Harrison, his true character, and his dis
linguished public services, ! did give ut
terance in the ardent zeal OF strong par
~ feeling, 10 sentiments, in relation 10
Genral Harrison. unjust TO him, and un-
worthy of myself. But with the light Of
truth, with the recorded evidence before
me, that | erred, feel that, as a man of
honor, can do nothing less than rctract
what have improperly and ignorantly
said, and leave the malignant, the yindic-
tive, and the fiery partisan TO make the
most Of il. am proud, ielow-citizens,
that | have lived 10 see tho day when
can do this act Of justice to an injured
man and that among the cloud Of mssi-
les which malignity and envy have hurled
at that distinguished patriot and statesman.
the little arrow which sped may be ar
rested in its fight, and fall harmless ut his
feet. Much more honorable is il to re-
tract unjust imputation, than to SANDER
and dciame him who had been the subject
Of my highest eu!ogy. utterly dlsre-
gard all that has been or may be said on
this account, and leave my accusers to
revel at their pleasure 10 the vcnomous
slime Of their own yindictiye and malig-
nant feelings.
In the course Of my political experience,
fellow. citizens, have never been able to
learn the modern "sink or swim" system
OF opposing unwise and dangerous princ.
pies and measures, by eIecling TO the
councils Of the nation their friends and
advocates. cannot, for my life, pera
ceive how bad measures can be SUCCESS
fully resisted by talking against them
when voting for them. This theory is so
sublime, and the reasons by which il Is
supported 50 subtle, that they are beyond
my comprehension. So much so, that
am impracticable to the teachings OF the
distinguished professor OF the school Of
political casuistry and jugglery at Rich.
rnond, and most respectfully decline dis
cipeship TO his system.
now, fellow.c citizens, close this com.
munication, and avow that, whatever Of
veal or woo comes out of 1t, will oppose,
with all the energy ] am master Of the
re election Of Martin Van Buren,, and sup
port that Of General William Henry Hara
rson. In this contest am exercising my
rights Of citizenship performing the du-
ties OF freeman, and shall not be deter
red from their faithful execution by any
denunciaton which Executive wrath can
pour on me; any epthet which party in
tolerance can apply, and SANDER or de-
famation which vulgar, brutal, and licen.
lious party press can bestow. With a
consciousness Of the rectitude of my mo-
tives, and justice Of the cause in which ]
am engaged, enter the contest boldly
and learlessly, relying upon the justice OF
Heaven, aud the virtue and intelligence Of
that unterrlfied constituency Of which ]
am proud, to shield me against the arts
and Vaccinations Of official prescription
and party denunciation. Fellow. citizens,
If | am TO loose your confidence, by taking
the stand have, be il SO; as highly as
value your confidence, as proud as am
oft, ] would prefer sacrificing that TO IN
flictng a single pain on my own conscience
or wound upon the liberty, the happi-
ness, or prosperity ofmy country. go
for my country he who will, may go for
his party.
Your obedient servant,
J. GARLAND.
WAsHisoToR, April 49, 1910.