The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-03-24
HON. JAMES GARLAND.


which was sent TO us last week, but was una
voidably crowded out Of our last publication
To he Editor Of The M1disoaian:
Two correspondents OF the Richmond Enquirer"
of the I7h instant, over the signature of Biae
Ridge" a remarkable coincidence, have honored me
with an especial notice, and, by way Of exposing
what the vefy consistent editor of the Enquirer has
been pleased to call my "apostacy," have alb
strasted from an address published 10 the people
of Nelson county previous the last Presidential
election with my name. among others, affixed, seve-
raj statements of votes given by Gen. Harrison as
Member of Congress, the ascripon Of some OPT
Mons 10 him. and commentary upon them and
ascribe the address 10 my PEN
Ii is not my intention TO enter the lists OF contro-
yersy with the authors Of these articles, for that
will mol do with any correspondent OF The Enquirer,
but simply To stlte facts. Admitting what IS true,
and DENYING what is untrue. am the author OF The
Nelson address referred to, and hold myself person
ally responsible for all that itconlains. The votes
and opinion which charged In that address upon
General Harrison with one exception, are true; and
now repeat what then sid, that the construction
Of the constitution under which those votes were
given, and opinions expressed are federal, but no
more federal 10 Gen. Harrison than in some who are
now regarded and held up as purely democratic and
innexbly republican, who gave the same Votes and
entertained the same opinions. shall ieel happy
Il those distinguished members of the democractic
republican party before whom am required TO fall
down and worship, were less gubyof The sins which
charged upon Gen Harrison than he Is. II they
were, should feel no hesitation in knowing how 10
dispose Of my suffrage at lbe next Presidential
election. But this is MT the case.
The Isl charge which [ made against Gen.
Harrison was, that I" he voted for the Panama mis-
sion" This is true and do not now approve
the vote; but il is one O! those by-gone questions
which duty or patriotism do not require me 10 re-
cur To-.
ID. He voted for the appropriation to the Dismal
Swamp Canal. Trae and SO did Mr. Branch, of
North Carolina, Mr.. Eaton, Of Tennessee, and Mr..
King, of Alabama, all regarded as sound republi-
cans by my accusers.
3d. He voted against "any restrictions" on surveys
for roads, canals, &c. True and SO did Mr. Cuh
bert, MIR. Buchanan, Mr.. Livingston, Mr.. McDufie,
Judge Mclean, Mr.. Ponseu, now Secretary Of
War, and r. M Johnson, the Vice President, vote
for the general survey bill. These gentlemen are
all deemed now orthodox republicans Gen. Jack
Of the eight Of his administration.
9th Which embraces 4th and 9Th, substantially
"vued for the high tariff OF 1928" This is true,
and so did Mr. Van Buren, Mr.. Johnson, v. p, Mr..
Sas Wright, Jr Mr.. Geo. Wof late Governor Of
Pennsylvania, Mr.. c. A, Wicklife, Mr.. Benton, Mr.
Mahlon Dickerson, Mr.. Eaton and ohers-all lead
ing and prominent members of the Democratic party
Mr.. Van Buren, also voted for the tariff of 1924,
without instructions.
7th. Voted for an odious bankrupt law" True,
and so did Mr.. Benton, Mr. Berrien, Mr.. Hayne, Of
s c.. Mr.. R. M. johnson, Mr.. Kane and Gen.
Smith, Of Md.,-all who survive are now dstin-
guished leaders Of the Democratic party Mr. Ben
ton has recently avowed his advocacy Of such sys-
tenn and Mr.. Van Buren, recommends system OF
bankruptcy over State corporations, measure par
taking Of all the odum OF general bankrupt law
but what is worse, applied to institutions created by
the States which he once declared unconditional
and dangerous
He is in favor Of Mr. Clays Land Bill" True,
and Mr. Van Buren, is in favor Of Mr.. Benlon's
graduation scheme, which is as bad if not worse
in prncipl' and more unjust in It's operation. Ii is
no better than Mr. Calhouns cession bill.
Upon the subject of National Bank, was, in the
address TO the citizens of Nelson, unjust Gen. Har
risen. He does not maintain The lailudnous OPT
Mons upon that subject which | ascribed to him.
When the address written, had not the Sher-
70 Williams Letter before me- but wrote from The
recollection Of cursory reading of that letter. and
fell into The following are his own words:
would II it were clearly ascerained that the pub
lie interest IN relation to the collection and disburse-
menf Of the revenue would materially suffer without
one, and there uneguroca manifestations Of PUB
lie opinion IN its Japor Think however, the erperi-
meni should be (airiy tried to ascertain whether the
financial operations of the Government cannot be as
well carried on without the aid Of National Bank. II
IL IS not necessary for that purpose, i, does appear
to me that be uhonaiiy chartered There
is no construction which can give the Constitution
which would authorize 1t, the ground Of afording
facilities TO commerce"
With this extract before me, and the fact that Gen.
Harrison, upon another occasion, had declared that
he regarded the late charter of the Bank OF the Uni
ted States as unconstitutional, feel il duty which
owe to General Harrison and 10 myself 10 make this
public acknowledgment Of the injustice which did
him. ! admit he goes further than | would but
nothing like as far as ascribed to him. and as many
Of his opponents have gone.
Upon the Subjects then, to which my charge Of
federalism against General Harrison's votes and OPT.
mons apply, his competitor and leading opponents
are equally involved and there is no jusreason why
in condemning the one, should not condemn the
other, refuse to in one what had excused
in the other
It is well known, that my opposition to Mr..
Van Buren,, has grown, principally, out OF the
operation, of his administration since the address TO
the people Of Nelson, which is paraded in judgment
against me was written, and cannot apply to those
subsequent objections, If my coincident accusers
had thought proper TO have published from the Nelson
address the reasons upon which based my support
of Mr.. Van Buren's election, they would have az
forded me an opportunity 10 shcw that Mr.. Van Bu-
rem has brought into the practical administration OF