The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-07-31
WHOLE NO. gu.

disunctvely feeble obtain strength by their coalition
but chain whose frmness arises from the sodity OF
s links. and not from the aniice OF the connection
La the Of deiamatory matter, which the wri-
ters IN the public journals have created respecting
Mr. clusters political character Of the fouest
erials was that which asserted 10 the world that he
was member Of the Hartford Convention" Con
sidering the importance which has been attached TO
this filth by Mr. Websters political adversaries, nei
ther It's quantity nor fetidness occasion surprise
fershabe as II was pufescent, the light shed on the
political history Of Mr.. Webster in that celebrated
debate on Mr.. Foot's resolution in 1880 quickened
The natural process of its decomposition and il would
have long since disappeared but for the delicate re-
marks and viviiyng genius Of his indefatigable
mics.
ask, Is the information of the authors of this SIAN
der upon this head, supported by any but their
animation Is II not contradic,ed by the whole
course OF events Does there appear 10 be the least
reason TO believe that they had sure foundation to
build upon when they made such bold assertions and
OF such nature Mr. Webster's connection with
the Hartford Convention, which his enemies talk
about so much has appeared nor ny footsteps
OF to be found IL is onlyio be found in the luxu
RANT fancy of his untiring enemies They represent
the matter IN controversy just suits their pur
poses leaving out many stories necessary to set the
whole IN true Notwithstanding as impotc that
which has never been proved, and which never can
be proved-making what limitations and deriving
what conclusions they think fit Ii is hard to con.
cese for what purpose this is done. The reason Civ
facts and reasonngs upon which the strength Of all
that can be said must be founded are so far from
seeming TO be forgotten but recorded in the public
journals OF the day, as destitute of truth There
must be some other for this method of proceed
ing, and can conjecture but one. This method may
perhaps be thought proper To catch the unway read
ers and to give particular bias to their minds. j
could make use OF the art, but have wish TO do
so my object Is the discovery Of truth and tn sreore
will assert nothing but what is supported by evidence
OF fact and the force Of argument
II must be apparent to the candid reader, that the
true reason of this violence towards Mr. Webster APP
pears TO be compounded OF malignity and ambition.
With perverted ingenuity which invariably mis-
leads Mr.. Websters enemies have endeavored to
discern improper motives the simple statement
OF opinions differing from their own, and in this
ner they have surrounded his political character with
circumstances entirely foreign 10 it, Instead of dis
passionate and philosophical investigation into the
truth of the accusation they have treated the matter as
facts well developed in the history Of the country and
easily sustained by lmpregnabe proofs Entertaining
these feelings their statements OF course all
sde but fortunately for the country, fortunately for
the political integrity of Mr. Webster the incon
testible proofs at hand and producibe, showing
most conclusvey that Mr.. Webster had no connex-
ion, in any manner form, with this convention and
thus stamping the accusation with the most fragrant
marks of imposture. To avoid the modification of
beholdng refutaon of their ruthluss assertions his
enemies have repeatedly shrunk back into their own
shell they have passed by the truth and her
only IN dream; they touched the mantle of god,
but It gave out no virtue to them. That this
sation should have proceeded from men of high cha
racter and station is quite unaccouhtabe-and that
not as hasty suggestion, but as the matured resul,
OF years Of reflection upon the subject, and upon
full review of the evidence which has been spread
before the eyes of the American PEG ple--how minds
OF the character and force of distinguished Senators,
habtuated TO the examination of evidence, exeT-
csed in the observation of historical facts and well
aware of the conditions by which truth Is to he dis
covered, could put forth such unounded allega-
ton, without noticing the extreme improbabily of
sustaining II by proof, is matter of just surprise
The facts as regards this allegation of nature
such admitted of no different construction; such
could not be altered by circumstances. They were
of public nature; such the who brought
the accusation must have it in their power to prove
If ii true; and such therefore must be false,
If the men who brought the accusation not able
and ready to prove IT..
MIR. Webscrs enemies are fully aware that po-
litical subject that has occupied the attention,
excited The feelings Of the great body of the pc, pie of
the United States, has been the theme of indg
nant reproach and vtuperaon, that the assembly of
delegates from several of the Eastern States which
convened at Hartford, in the State of Connecticut, in
December, 1914, commonly called the Hartford
Convention" Awaiting themselves of this patriotic
indignation, which flows through the country in OPP
position to this Convention, and re- ardless Of truth
and justice, they have attempted 10 kindle the resent
ment Of the people against Mr. Webster, predicating
their action upon the general principle that the mind
impregnaed with prejudice, will not permit II
to review the evidence by which opinions are support
ed The power OF prejudice TO arrest the progress OF
inquiry, is indeed TO be lamened. Nothing could be
desirable than that any opinion should rest upon
incontestble cvidence--that all circumstances not in
timatey blended with political controversies could he
disconnected, and that political parzans could bring
their minds to anal them free from passion and vim
dcllve feelings but the strength and Independence
OF mind requisite fol such effort is rather to be ad
mired than expected, at this day of high excitement
There few who enter on the investigation OF ques
tons in that elevated state secret antpathies and pre-
elections will be sure to nsti the venom and obscure
the perceptions OF truth and suggestions Of reason
But Meteus and Rutius must be condemned Apu
Gus and pcius must be justified.
Thus far, then, we have deduction of facts, not
Of suggestions we have thread of consequential
arguments not a rhapsody of arbitrary interpretations
OF opinions. The is fairly stated issue having
been joined, the accused stands acquitted OF any par
tcipalon in the proceedings OF the Hartford Con'en-
ton and his must be found guilty of SANDER
of caiumny and of the worst sort of assassination
In the Senate of The United States, General Hayne
had the boldness to connect Mr.. Webslers with
that convention yet his reply, dignlhed, able and
unoblectionabe 1t was generally acknowledged 10
be, has had efficacy in Shielding him from this OPP
probrlous charge General Hayne although challenged
produce the proof Of his assertion being able 10
Justify this violence, remained silent and never dared
to support by evidence. If such proof could have
been procured, is II not reasonable TO suppose that
General Hayne would have made effort to do
So with the view ut ovoithrowng the immense innu-
ence which Mr.. Webster there exercised by his com
handing talents and the soundncss OF his constitutional
views Would not his enemies, who have never
been marked by any backwardness, or want OF dill
gence have haunted up the proof, and spread 1t be-
fore the eyes of the peopel BY producing proof they
had in their power to have condemnation; and # tins
charge was made good he would have stood convicted
before the Senate of the United States General
Hayne had his " scdrenger sitting near him, who was
then distinguished agent IN procuring evidence
against Mr.. Webster. Could he not have obtained
the evidence if any existed He could have applied
to the members of the convention, and to Theodore
Dwight the Secretary of that body, whose respectable
y he could but acknowledge, whose veracty he dared