The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-09-21
ARIsTIDEs TO THE EDITORS or THE
INTEII.IGENCER.

~
"ArisiiJes" returns his compliments 10 the Editors
Of the National Inellgencer and begs leave most
spectfuy to demur to their hasty conclusion not
admit into the columns Of their paper any Statement
or argument " Of an anonymous character, which
shall conflict with those recently published to which the
authors have signed their proper names" 1.-THE maxim
that "truth is omnipotent, and public justice
tain, be founded in the sound philosophy Of our
ture, and if the public mind is drawn to official acts,
and to the reasoning and arguments by which these
acts may be defended censuied, il aid the udg
ment OF the reader in arriving just conclusions TO
have before him the real name Of him who details the
facts, and whose arguments" submitted for APP
probation or refutatoa But the objection, il would
seem, is not to the admission Of anonymous state
ments arguments which might support those |" re-
Gently published" with the signatures of the authors,
but To such only shall conflict with them either in
fact or argument" Is il possible that any portion
of the Wing press can, at this interesting period in
the progress of our free form of Government be
far humbled as to feel the necessity of denying the
use OF their columns to full and fair discussion Of
the grave and important questions brought before the
country by the debates in Congress or by Wig
Convention composed Of Senators and Representa-
tves, and bya Wing Cabinet voluntarily retrea,ing
from their official stations? Are the high Minded dIgn
fed and enlightened Editors of the National Intell-
gencer compelled to surrender the elevated character
which they have hitherto sought to maintain for
devialing mparality, and seek to shelter their par
san attachments under the poor subterfuge, thai
Argument" great national questions is unworthy
Of place in their journal except ii be endorsed by
"A
it shall conflict with speech in Congress with
public address put forth for political effect signed by
the presiding officers and their secretaries letter
of Cabinet minister. 1t is confession which
strongly implies the conscious weakness of indie
fensibe cause, and must be regarded by all candid
men, as departure from that manly independence
which should ever characterize the Editors of free
press, which the American people taught regard
the palladium Of liberty.
"Aristides" proposed, in series Of essays, to in
vesgate 10y free, open and fair inquiry into facts and
principles Invested Of all personal considerations, the
causes which have led to the late unfortunate COLI
sions between the Legislative and Executive Depart
ments of the Government. You deny the of
your widely circulated paper for this purpose, and call
for the Of the author. The demand will be met
by silent Indifference; the of the writer will be
left TO conjecture and there it will remain The only
effect Of the disclosure asked would be to transform
.he discussion of the great questions which now agi-
tate and convulse the minds of the people, into
personal controversy and sink to the level ola
pot house debate pending wafmly-contested pop
ular canvass. Neither the facts arguments app-
cable to questions involving public liberty, and the
welfare Of the nation ought to find favor from theim-
posing signature Of high-sounding name, suffer
depreciation from the humility of the author. The
standard Of truth and reason aided by the lights of
experience the only tests Of merit by means
Of which the mind be guided to proper judgment.
Tho immortal author of the letters Of Junius would
have sunk to the grade of insignificant scrbbcr had
he fallen into the osnbscrbng his proper name at
the foot Of those justly celebrated publications.
Tainted by Sir William Draper with his "imperso-
naity and his invisible attacks, Junus tells him. 81
approve Of the spirit with which you have given your
name to the public; and if it proof Of any
thing but SPIRIT should have thought myself bound
to follow your example. should have hoped that
my might carry authority with it if had
not seen how very little consideration printed paper
receives even from the respectable signature Of Sir Will
liam Draper"
National lntelligencer | shall proceed in my next
numberto the promised inquiry INTO the political events
which have arisen since the present incumbent was
charged with the Administration of the Government
am in the outset of this undertaking, met by the
published narratives and opinions of formidable
phalanx Of veteran statesmen and their adherenls,
young and old, all of whom enjoy large portion of
the confidence Of their fellow citizens; yet, even
against such opponents do not despair of success in
my humble efforts to satisfy impartial people, that
President Tyler stands erect; that he has riotated
no pledge, cypress implied, ,rhich brought him
Sim his ldmented predecessor into poper that nc IS
an honest man i-faiaful in all things 10 his c0icia
dutiesfo his country, 10 The Constitution, and to his
oyn conscience. deprecate, from my heart, the ex-
element which has gone forth among the great body
of the people, and depore still more the means en-
poyed to produce it believing do that these pre-
cipitate and i'll advised movements will, at distant
day be cause of regret to those who have contributed
give impetus them and believing also, that there
exists no justifable for the solemn appeals |
which have been made the public sensbility
ABISTIDES
Mr. WEBsTER--Thc New York Commercial
Advertiser contains an able letter from this city
indicating the course of the distinguished Sc
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