The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-11-02
THE INTELLIGENCER AND MR.. SPENCER'S
LETTER.

The Tnterencer is very chary IN handling
Mr.. Soencer's letter, which it declines publish
ing on the ground that its columns scan be en-
ployed more usefuly and more acceptably to It's
readers" We doubt not they can be employed
more acceptably to some, and probably maJo
rity of its readers. But it would still seem to
be fair inquiry, whether public Journalists dis
charge their whole duty when they omit 10 fur
nish their readers with an exposition OF the
measures and policy of an Administration, pro-
ceeding from one of its high functionaries, I'M
der his own name. 1t is coniessedly PAPER OF
great public importance, expressing, as the In
,eligencer believes, "the opinions and feelings
of the head of the Administration, and obvi-
ousy containing defence of his conduct and
measures. Whatever we may think Of It's fair
ness in Withholding from its readers such de-
fence, we will do it the justice TO say thar 1t
eschews the example of some Of its Wing con-
temporaries in abslaning from criticism of
what it does not enable its readers 10 lu 'ge.
But we do not comprehend the reason given
by the editors for their regret that Mr.. Spencer
has thought proper TO take this course. They
say, sit is 10 be apprehended that 1t will greatly
diminish his power of serving the country TO
that advantage which might have been
hoped from intelligence, ability and industry,
such as his in the discharge of the duties OF the
War Department, had his public action con
tnued to be confined TO those public duties."-
Does the Intelligencer mean 10 intimate that
the party feeling Of the Clay Wings in Congress
will be so exasperated by this course OF Mr..
Spencer, that any measures for the public good
proceeding from his Intelligence, ability and
industry Will be resisted and perhaps defeated
from hostility 10 the individual or TO his poti-
cal coaduct % views Are the Clay Wings so
nioIerant that they VII not allow public Off
Ger the common privilege Of ala temperate
and respectful defence of measures in which he
has taken part. and a vindicaiton Of the head
ct An Administration, OF which he Is member
from UNJUST reprDach wa they not permit
hiy7a 20 60 t,at winch they themselves occupy
10 much Of every session in doing define hi:
position, prevent raisapprehension, and disabuse
the pesisc mind Of erroneous impressions in re.
gard to hImseIf2
We conceive that after the calls made upor
him by public meetings Of professed Wings II
his native State, and by old political and perso
nal friends, TO explain his position, Mr.. Spence
had no alternative. Nor can we perceive an,
difference between his course and that Of Nh
Webster, which seems to have escaped the AMI
madversions of the Tnelgencer Whether tn
form Of communication be speech or
letter, we suppose can make no differenc
in the principle May Messrs. Ewing, Be
and Badger address the country in refer
ence TO public matters of great importance
and the personal conduct of the President, an
may not one occupying similar position repe
their assaults, and vindicate his relations wit
the same President by showing that he ha
been illuminated
We trust that the anticipations of the INTEL
gencer will prove unfounded, and that its friend
in Congress will prove more liberal and tolerar
than il seems TO expect; that they will regar
recommendations of public measures upon the
own intrinsic merits, and without reference {
the political alterations, real or supposed, {
the officer from whom they proceed. If the
do not, if an indiscrminate opposition to tn
measures of the War Department, and an UT
relenting hostility against its head, should b
manifested at the ensuing session, the Peopl
will at least have been fully and aulhentcall
apprised of the cause, and it will remain fc
that People 10 ass upon the patriotism of sue
course