The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-11-05
MIR. sPENCER,s LETTER.


WHY by the "Whig" presses against Mr. opeh-
Ger, i, his deserlion, or "hIs apos'acy aS mey
more softly term il, from Whlgy principles, we
would be most glad TO discover what wing
n,;nc;nies are or were If the establishment OF a
uoued States Bank wasa "Whig principle" MIR.
Soeocer never vas Wing: if slavish, uncon-
ditioual submission 10 an arrogant seli-appoinled
Dictator was "Whig" principle, very slight
norton of ''Whiggism" ever disgraced John e.
Spencer: if an alteration Of The Constitution
and a consequent infringement OF State Rights
constituted " w higgism," he was no follower OF
that party Perhaps the propagandsts oil this
occult science will better enighten u.s.
AS for Mr.. Spencer's so called "unprovoked"
attack upon the "Whigs," there seems to be, on
the part Of those innocent sufferers, some misap-
prehension 1t is to be remembered that during
the late session of Congress the Secretary at
War, occupied with the engrossing duties OF his
office, and wholly intent upon them, was subject
ed TO q series of annoyances, and, We may add
oulrages, as unprecedented as uncalled for
Petty and vexaiious calls were made upon MN
by committees, without reason, and unautho-
rized by any exgency his official conduct was
censured, and his laborious talents denounced ;
and such men as Garrett Davis reported against
proceedings, strictly within the exercise OF the
Secretary's legitimate functions, and demanded
Nv his sense of duty. Because he dismissed
one of his clerks, as he had constitutional right
10 do, Mr.. Garrett Davis was alarmed and feared
our dearest privileges were endangered-when
the only privilege at all involved IN the case
was that of a member of the House to voun-
teer an exhibition of his own folly We hope
the Hon. Garrett Davis will have better taste
hereafter than to make public exposure OF ma
,ural deformitics, for which he is only cupable
where he can, but will moi, conceal them. Ii he
will let nature alone in her operations, what she
has stinted of sense, she will supply by the ap-
parent possession of it, If brains had been ne
cessary to him, nature, with her usual adapta-
ton of means 10 ends, had bestowed them
That she has not, is an argument they were not
required.
We are happy, however, to find from this re-
port that the " Wings" really intend 10 pro
scribe prescription :" and we doubt not, they will
not be induced to believe, that Tor long time
they will again remove faithful officers, quiet
and capable, who oppose their measures. we
hail, with no Indifferent feelings, their contem-
plated design Of inquiring, the coming session OF
Congress, into the ruthless course OF Mr.. Ewing,
and the debonair conduct of the late linger-
ing Postmaster General. We are glad man
L Cl ~
of such sweet simplicity such bashiul feel
--o-y I"tvlSosuS iutrSii'y, DIS WI
Davis, is 10 be the head Of the com
mittee of Investigation. How shocked vii
be his innocent purity at Ewiny's enormities
his tender conscience with Changers reckless
ness! He will view the poor sufferers, under
their prosecutions, as so many little Red Riding
Hoods among the wolves and his signs over
each new sacrifice, each unholy marlyrdom,
will issue from his breast with all the gusto Of
an expiring saint And the Z" Book Of the Mar
,yrs," which he will shortly after prepare for the
press will be illustrated with the Dagueno,ypt
likenesse, of Granger and Ewing, smiling ove
the second Massacre of Saint Bartholomew ;
or perhaps more appropriately the "Murder o
the InnoceDts."
Every conceivable obst Gle was thrown il
Mr. Spencer's path every possible inquiry wa
directed to him, for causeless trouble; he was
ihwarted in his designs, checked in his attempt
at reformation, perse cuted with troublesome i'm
pertinenccs he was attacked with vehemence
and opposed with extreme violence.
But we must confess that the Secretary ha
more than paid his impairment prosecutors w
do n u know but we had approved more leni
ent punishment for compassion soon follow
the defeat of even hated adversaries; end we
are apt to forget, In their fallen fortunes, tn
principles that made them dangerous, and tn
vices that rendered them odious. Mr.. Spencer
we fear, has but little of the equality Of mercy,
or perhaps he thought that the strctest law wa
in this case the greatest justice, and that vice
beyond the hope of amendment should be with
out the means Of injury.
But most violent, of course, are the Cla
presses against the honorable Secretary, 70
they know full well the irreparable blow he ha
inhict upon the cause of their leader--n no
even he who fulmined over their mad scheme
in Faneuil Hall has so much dismayed them
Webster has slain thousands Of the utras
Spencer tens Of thousands Webster has deal
them powerful blows with his battle axe, WELD
ed BY Cour de Lion arm; Spencer, with tn
flashing scymetar Of Saladin, with less strengtl
perhaps, but with more skill, science, and tact
has boldly dashed amid their ranks, and opene,
the road 10 victory.
The distinguished Eastern champion stoppe,
his thunder in mid voley. His consciousness
Of strength saved, where its exertion woul
have destroyed. The Secretary at War seems t
have taken pleasure in the tremendous exercise 0
his powers; and like the invincble Hun, en-
joyed the very rapture OF the strife" certami