Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1841-10-19
JUDGE SHATTUCK.

the character OF Judge Shattuck, both
public and private, to find some act,
some false step which they could tor
ture into a palpabIe charge ofcuIpabil-
ity against him. They have failed en-
tirely of success, and aa last resort,
have brought up from the tomb, in
which they have so long been quietly
inurned, the articles of association UNI
der which the bank OF McEwing, King
Il Co., went into operation. Among
the stockholders they have found the
name of Judge Shattuck, and locking
upon it as a God-send they eagerly
embrace every opportunity to blazon
it to the world, thinking that by so do
ing they can revive the old prejudices
against the State banks, to injure the
Judge; but it will avail them nothing,
on the other hand, i; will recoil upon
their heads when the people dicover
what base articles they practice to ru-
in man who is so deservedly dear to
them.
This BBnk of McEwing, King &
Co., in the first instance, was nothing
more than an association Of planters
who had adopted that method of ship-
ping their cotton, supposing it would
be more convenient and profitable than
any other;and as there was no bank in
that part of the State, they agreed to
bank upon bona fide capital procur-
ed from the sale of their cotton. They
acted with as much fidelity to the pub
lie, as an institution of that kind could
and so long as they continued to do 50
Judge Shat.uck remained a member
of the association, and when they be-
gar to pursue a reckless and fraudu-
lent course, he ceased to have connex-
ion with them in auy way whatever.
The stockholders were men of all par
ties, and of the first responsibility, a
majority of them being democrats.
1t is in vain to identify Judge Shat,
with the fraudulent banking that was
carried on in this State two or three
years ago, as he never oficiated in a
bank as director,or officer of any kind
and only gave his name to an associa-
ton which he honestly believed would
would act in good faith to every one,
ana be of considerable advantage to .
portion Of the State in which he resid-
ed. When it failed ito answer these
ends, as far as his liability permitted
him, he withdrew from it, that is, he
condemned its proceedings and refus-
ed to attend any Of its meetings. Be
sides, Judge Shattuck has been too
poor to have engaged in such opera
tons, and his honest poverty at this
time that he has made nothing by de-
lrauding his fellow citizens.
Can his accusers say as much for
themselves? Can the editor of the
Columbus Democrat, who is at the
head of all this, reconcile it to his con-
science to assail Judge Shattuck in
this wanton and unjustifable manner,
for an act, honest in intention, aud so
far as he was concerned, not injurious
in its consequences: when it is notori-
Gus he advocated the claims of Gordon
d. Boyd to a seat in the Legislature,
who filched thousands from his coun-
try, and engaged in every species of
wild and visionary speculation upon
the peoples money, which be has ne
yer restored to them? Can the Dem
ocralic party have the unparalleled eff
frontery to denounce Judge Shattuck
for an act which they admit in their
calmer and honester moments, had no
evil intention connected with it, and
support for the Office of Governor,
TiIghman M. Tucker, who voted in
the Legislature, to PLEDGE THE
FAITH OF THE STATE FOR
SIX MILLIONS OF DOLLARS,
to support one ofthe most extravagant,
wild land ruinous speculations that
were conceived during those times of
public and private dishonesty. This
vote should damn Mr.. Tucker forever
with the people, as tito create debt
which we are known now he would
have repudiated. 1t should also damn
him, as it would have built up a great
system offraud and speculation COM
pared to which, any of the other
schemes Of those days would dwindle
into insignifcance. Let those who
live in glass houses be cautious how
they throw stones, and LET them take
care how they attempt 10 injure the
character of such man as David 0.
| Sbattuck.-Irue Issue.