Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1842-01-17

vulgcr datribc agans, the Hon. Henry A. Wise
the New World, has occasioned, as by its coars,
ness it designed 10 OCCASION a violen, feeling
indignation aguins, the writer and the press whcnC
i emanatcd, in the minds of that gentleman
friends, and very faint degree of satisfactio
among his opponents, and most invctcratc encmie
the supporters of MIR Clay. The indiscriminat
and wanton assaults which have heretofore bee
made by that print mad its contributors, upo
the moral and political character OF all the mo
eminent and patriotic Statesmen Of the day misl
have justified, upon this occasion, a scornful an
contomptuous silence, but that the obscene and ri
bald abuse, the hisrant and nsolcn, misrcp:cscntC
ton of facts which characterize, more particular
this "ariclc," require to be rebuked and exposed.
The wonderings of that prin, from the easy pat!
of literature, which il has followed with success
rather the offspring Of assumed superiority thar
of intrinsic merit into the intricate and more danger
Gus labyrinth OF politics. have been as unfortunate
the frequent efforts OF its concecd Editor cu
tivatn the favor OF the MUSES.. Both attempts hay,
proved abortive, and having repealed the DISPOSE
ton which IS commonly fc; to sympathiso with
persons similarly situated, by arrogant pretension
and presumptuous confidence, they have received
IN its stead the unmtsutcd and contempt OF
oil who have witnessed their ridiculous and uncerc.
monous overthrow. Who this initial (D) may be
1t is almost vain TO conjecture. His productions,
however have about them still. such sopfomorsh
tiint, and his logic and augmentation are 50 feeble
and nconclusivc, that we are forced 20 believe hin,
of those pale and sentimental young stervslings
who write for newspapers, cultivate curls, and wear
slippers AMI dressing gown throughout the dav;
in fine, procsce, OF more properly ;oady of Park
BeniamIn's, whose maignlty supplies the venom,
while the innocent" rounds the stick which forms
the shaft.
We must repeat tha; it would be unnecessary
10 notice this d-iamiory article, were II not that
the opinions aud mitetS OF fac stated therein. arc
accomp snied with eiftontery and dosnatism
winch would give them, unconuadicted, such an
appearance OF truth and infaOii,y, that al who
no. iam lar with political history must needs
lelioyc them. The masiSctlIl and "eN cathedta"
style in which this writer has clothed his lSehcols
aud invectve would impose upon and deceive one
who was ignorant OF the shallow tricks of penny
liners. The inhabi,anl OF some dirty attic, whose
mind and person OF the "Swiveer' cast. has |
doubtless, wrought the materials OF this Philiiapc
into symmetry, which have been prated by himssi
ar furnished by Park Benlmin, with this omincus |
Instruction. 'ct II be severe or 1t will not accept
ed" AnG faithful to the bidding Of appetite, and |
pcrchancs, OF inclination, this production is the pro
geny OF their joint bors.
We appeal 10 any one who is accustomed TO /
reading the Eng ish political papers, the G.oben
"Hera.d,r "Chroniclt," or "Timcs," TO sustain the
statement that whatever Of severity, vi'uperaon ~
chscenUy 10 lie found in the "ar,icle under con
sictatiou pira ed and compiled from those papers,
The Fn!ucsl articles IN this country commonly !
written ~ the Editors of the various papers, and to
their lasting credit be i, said, that We, they are
far behind the English papers IN virulence and per-
sona.,ty. Tie nearest approach we have ever seen !
to their deteS' able example is afforded ny this ''arti
cIc, ami he vel turned periods the sonorous and .
dciaorlai style uOjh hespeak its partntage. The |
frequent contradictions which occur u the first pn
rlErdph Of this "lriice" abundlutiy IN lniiest the
intention Of the writer, To I'll up his periods and !
polish his sentences NJ the expense of alt connection
or consistency. lie commences by informing the |
publ c, Tint since Henry a. Wise has been so 20
nerally audcd by the letter writers from Washing. |
ton-the public press has Loudly irumptted his !
praises and have attached many lofty adisctiyes
10 his name, have been almost forced into re-
eognltIon OF his supremacy without any exAmina.
ton OF his title" Up tn the prcsen; time, them nc
has ncknowl lodged the supremacy OF Mir Wise in
utter disregard of those iiagrani breaches OF moral
proprety, which are subsequently, discovered 10 be-
amply sufficient 10 warrant this writer in styling hun
n bully and backyard. With candor winch no
where else characteristics this unfeelins "artcie" lie
here conesses that until the letter OF Mr. Wise to
some friends in Virginia, w.s published few weekr
ago, he entirely ignorant Of his polite history
BY his shelving, then, he has reviewed and Grill
clsef the whole political history OF Henry a. Wise
during that briet period OF time which has elapsed
rince the publication OF the letter advered 70 and
the production of this monstrous "article" When
II Is remembered then, that Mr. Wise has adorned
the national councils for eight or nine Sessons-has
been more actively and constantly employed in the
transaction OF the arduous duties OF the House of
Representatives, has delivered more speeches. and
filed aarser space in the public eye, than any other
memheroi Congress-l put the inquiry with conf.
cence TO impartial and DESCRIBING public ca il be
possible that this writer has qualified himself after
has imprudent confession, 10 pronounce opinion
entitled 10 a moments consideration upon the cha
rncter career Of such n as Henry a. Wse7
We beg that the "dicta" OF this worthy may not be
tiken without investigation, and that before " Weld
conv iction 10 the borrowed beauties OF his graceful
style. It may be subjected to close examination.
Pluck from this vain and rresump'uous Jlckdaw
the stolen pumes in which has urrayed his sooty
person, and expose scorn and drlsion his native
usliness and defomity.
We desire to discliw, in limne, any disposition 10
pronounce siereotyped panegyrc upon Mr. Wise,
TO speak OF his present political position or reln-
TONS time will deveope the wisdom OF folly OF his
present course Our purpose is, TO confne our.
selves to the past so far only, however, MS il is made
subject of comment by tho author Of the uuicle
~ question. The fame OF NJ Wise forms part of
the National History, and illustrates its brighes
pages. His faults many, hut even the worst of
them are but the ebuliitions IL that honest, mig
unanimous, and patriotic spirit, without whose asss-
lance, the Nation might have yet groencd under ne
despotic sway Of Jackson's dynasty. Called into
public life when the dominant, party in the Halls Of
Congress suppressed, by threats and bullying, the
voice of opposition remons,rnnce, his generous
spirit chafcd and fired al this unjust tyranny, and
with devotion unsurpassed by the Curtus Of anti.
guilty. he resolved to sacrifice hmse III or restore the
freedom OF debate, almost nnnihlla;cd. To effect
this, no uncomfortable effort is required. Talent,
energy, and enressness which the occasion i'm
peratvcly demanded, were all afforded in the per.
son OF Henry A. Wise; nnd after the fercest sirug-
gle the Hall Of Congress ever witnessed he nchicy.
cd, at the hazard Of his life and the sacrifice of his
personal dignity, triumph which restored debate,
ofgnnlzod an opposition, and saved the country
No selfish motives governed him here-resoue in
will and firm Of purpose, he persevered, and when
success had crowned his Efforts il were n small boon
TO expect his country's gratitude This hirelinr
scdbber denies him all merit, and sums ~ M claim
10 Immortality in the eplthets, bully and black
guard!
There is an old and homey, yet truthful al.
age, which teaches 70 eight the devil With fire" II
would hope for success IN n controversy with
that individual. Acting upon the scniiblc advice
conveyed by this maxim, Mr. Wise met with iri.
umph which more than realized his mos, snnguine
Gnuclpnions and reflected great credit upon his sa
gncity. We appaa to all who remember the time
adveued to, when Mr. Wse's conduct is made by
this writer, the "bcnd and front of his ofendin. -
10 unite with us in saying, that no other but the
bold md fearless course Of conduct and policy which
Mr. Wise put'ued, could have saved US from the
tyranny which was about to be forged upon us by
the ruling party. Such characters MS Bynum "et id
omne genus could be conquered only by hodness
aud during The frauds, knoyofy, aud opcn
violation oi n.l 'Usiice ard law, could only have
been exposed by courage and rortude MI
Wise proved himself equal to the occasion. he
could "fase the whiflwind and direct the storm
The report Of the investigating Committee will
ever stand an impoushab.e monument Of his arden