The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-05-14


tons to make to your political course. You
were long known the most decided enemy Of
Southern interests, The most determined oppo-
nent OF Southern principles, the most abusive
vlIter OF Southern statesmen. You may al
feet repentance-you may promise conversion,
but you are too old in sin to give the least hope
OF your sincerity. PGnitentia serararo est
Uera, was the maxim of an old sage, the wis
dom OF whose opinions was entitled to respect,
though polished taste might see but little to APP
prove IN the afectalion of his phraseology. We
cannot trust TO the sincerity Of your con-
version. You do not furnish any convincing
proof OF II by perseverance in your vul-
gar rlbaldry of language. Were there a
change in heart, there would be change
in style. From the fullness of the heart
the mouth speaketh But the vulgarity
OF your language is not the only critic
rion by which we are enabled to Judge
OF the hollowness of your conversion. All the
other characteristics of your hypocrisy and
regeneration remain. Many marks might be
mentioned-one will suffice. The sneaking in
directness by which you labor to infuse the poi
son OF the opinions which your selfshness die
tates You do not attack the acts of the Ad-
minIstraton-you do not assail the President
but you endeavor TO render both unpopular, by
insidious invectives against the Secretary of
State.
am not his apologist. | have said already
that know nothing of him except through his
public acts. judge, and l am resolved to
judge, the Secretary of State by his official acts,
and not by the motives which your malignity may
attribute to him, norb by the opinions promulgated
by Daniel Webster in any other capacity Am
not right? For the correctness of my decision,
Iappeal to yourself. You have not escaped the
bolts of political hostility, or political SANDER.
Would you wish to be judged by the opinions of
your political assailants? Must the question of
your honesty be determined by the consistency
which, with equal virulence against opponents,
advocated the policy of deposite banks in one
year and pronounced in the next all other creeds
heretcal except that which humbly believed in
the nfabe efficacy of Sub-Treasury? AS
you Judge yourself, judge Daniel Webster-and
if your self-knowledge is tlnctured with the
slightest commixtue of impartaity, you will
not be able to boast your purity, while you at
tempt to criminate him. | say again, am not
his apoogist; but abuse of him comes with
bad grace from you. If you are guiltless, throw
the first stone.
While disclaim to be the apologist of the
Secretary oil State, equally disclaim he cha
racter of a partisan of the present Administra-
ton. But knowing you of old-having watched
your treacherous and cratic course during the
whole period of your prominence as a political
writer in Washington, having witnessed your
crafty mode of effectng your special objects,
my suspicious have been naturally excited by
the peculiar species of strategy which you have
adopted in. your movements against the pre-
sent Administration. You have disposed me
to become its friend. Your hostility l have
found to be not only a prin'a facie evidence of
worth-but prognostc of success TO your OPP
ponents. Remember, you were never a friend
of the South You shall hear from me again.
l have many texts on which can address you
Harry BIRCH.