The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-09-25
ARIsTIDEs TO THE EDITORS OF THE
1a HU INTELLIGENCER. -

ARIsTIDEs TO THE EDITORS OF THE
INTELLIGENCER.
"Arstides" returns his compliments to the Editors
of the National Integencer, and begs leave most re
spectfuy to demur to their hasty conclusion not to
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 GER
tain" be founded in the sound philosophy of our ma
ture and If the public mind is drawn to official acts,
and to the reasoning and arguments by which these
acts may be defended or censuled it aid the judg
ment of the reader in arriving at just conclusions to
have before him the real name Of him who details the
facts and whose arguments" are submitted for APP
probation refutatioR2 But the objection, il would
seem, is not TO the admission of anonymous Estate
ments or arguments" which might support those re-
Gently published" with the signatures of the authors
but to such only shall "confict" with them either in
fact or argument" Is it possible that any portion
Of the Wing press can, at this interesting period in
the progress of our free form of Government, be
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 Wing
Convention composed Of Senators and Representa-
tiyes and by Wing Cabinet voluntarily retreating
from their official statons2 Are the high minded dgni-
fed and enlightened Editors of the National Intelli-
gencer compelled to surrender the elevated character
which they have hitherto sought to maintain for
devia,ing mparialty, and seek to shelter their par
tsan attachments under the poor subterfuge that
Argument" ON great national questions is unworthy
of place in their journal except it be endorsed by
real and responsible name2 And more especially if
it shall "confct" with speech in Congress or with
public address put forth for political effect signed by
the presiding officers and their secretaries or letter
of Cabinet minister. 1t is a confession which
strongly implies the conscious weakness Of an indie
fensible cause, and must be regarded, by all candid
men, as departure from that manly independence
which should characterize the Editors of free
press which the American people taught to regard
as the palladium of liberty.
"Arstides" proposed in a series of essays to in
vestgae, by free, open and fair inquiry, into facts and
principles Invested of all personal considerations, the
causes which have led to the late unfortunate COLI
sons between the Legislative and Executive Depart
your widely circulated paper for this purpose and call
for the of the author. The demand will be met
by silent indifference the name of the writer will be
left to conjecture, and there it will remain The only
effect of the disclosure asked would be to transform
the discuss of the great questions which now ag
tate and convulse the minds of the people, into a
personal controversy and sink It to the level of
pothouse debate pending some warmly contested pop
ular canvass. Neither the facts arguments appli-
cable to questions involving public liberty, and the
welfare of the nation, ought to find favor from the i'm
posing signature of high-soundng name, or suffer
depreciation from the humility of the author The
standard of truth and reason aided by the lights o.
experience, are the only true ests.of merit by
of which the mind can be guided to proper judgment
The immortal author of the letters of Junus would
have sunk to the grade Insignificant scribber hat
he fallen into the ofsubscrbng his proper
the foot of those justly celebrated publications.
Tainted by Sir William Draper with his "imperso
nality and his invisible attacks, Junus tells him.
approve of the spirit with which you have given you
name to the public; and if it were proof Of an,
thing but SPIRIT should have thought myself boun'
to follow your example, l should have hoped tina
even my name might carry authority with it, if hat
not how very little consideration printed pape
receives even from the respectable signature Sir Will
liam Draper"
In commencing this example to the Editors Of the
National Intelligence, I shall proceed in my mex
number to 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 a formidable
phalanx of veteran statesmen and their adherents
young and old, all of whom enjoy large portion o.
the confidence of their fellow-citizens yet, even
against such opponents do not despair of success il
my humble efforts to satisfy an impartial people, tia
President Tyler stands erect; that he has uiolate'
no pledge, express or implied 1ohich brought hin
uOih his lamented predecessor into po,oer that he
honest man faithful in all things to his Q6tcid
duties-o has country to the Constitution, and to hi
o,on conscience. deprecate, from my heart, the ea
element which has gone forth among the great bod
of the people; and depore still more the means en-
ployed to produce it; believing do that these pr
ciptate and i-advised movements WILL at no distar
day. be of regret to those who have contribute
to give impetus to them and believing also, that ther
exists 40 ustifable cause for the solemn appea
which have been made 10 the public sensbity
ARISTIDES.
| TROUBLE IN CANADA. The British armed stea;
ships Minos and Toronto moored in the river be
| tween Navy Island and the Canadian shore. w
learn that, last night, some persons unknown got
cannon on the island and fired several times at tn
vessels with hat effect We are unable to say.-Bu
| fao Commercial.
The same paper informs that sixty live kegs
powder were stolen from the magazine near Lockpo
| -, Er;Joy ni1ht