The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-03-12


One of the greatest nuisances which has originated
within few years, in the spirit of political SANDER,
is the correspondence between the partisan newspa-
pers and the letter writers at Washington. Almost
every partisan paper in the great cities keeps letter
writer; and with very few honorable exceptions,
these letter writers make SANDER and misrepresenta
tion their business Many of them write letters for
the presses Of different parties at the time, and
consequently SANDER both parties alternately. We
have frequently received written applications from
these proessed letter writers, to furnish with let
tiers from Washington or Harrisburg, during the
sion of Congress- of Legislature, of whatever
character required, whether Loco Foco,n
Wing, or 60 Neutral" We have always thorough
ly condemned the whole SYSTEM and therefore al
ways repudiated such applications, and would tole-
rate other corr spondence at either place, than
one which furnished faithful narrative Of events,
and without the usual accompaniment Of SANDER upon
public servants.
The public should not place the slightest reliance
upon these partisan letter writers. They are en-
ployed by partisan papers, every (which is con-
trolled by some political clique, intent some
scheme of personal interest The interest of the let
ter writer extends not beyond his salary and there
fore as his object is employment, and the money of
one party is good that of another he is ndlher
ent about the political complexion of his employers,
and writes letters for both parties OF all parties,
and In support Of one opinion another, according
to order. Our readers estimate the moral stand
ard of those who pursue this trade and will be
surprised in detecting any Of them in the grOssest
Misrepresentation But the interest of the conduc-
tor Of the partisan paper for which the letter writer
furnishes alsehOod and vituperation, is identified
with that of the clique who control his paper; and
consequently his object is to make partisan capital
out OF every event which transpires at Washington,
any falsehood which canbe coined there Hence the
letter writer has instructions to laud party with
out limit to abuse another without mercy, to praise
member Of Congress or Executive officer without
shame and to another without conscience. But
besides pursuing SANDER business, these letter
writers rarely have access to authentic sources OF in
formation; and consequently their statements are to
be doubted for want OF knowledge, as well want OF
honesty. The President and high Executive officers
always avoid them; and the honest, high toned men,
bers of Congress regard them with little less than
loathing Hence they are left to rely upon the mere
political hacks, or upon the rumors OF streets, bar
bers' shops and tayerns. Whoever has been enough
in Washington to understand its social structure and
operation will know how to estimate such sources OF
information; for of all places In the Union, Wash
ngon is unrvalled for gossip detraction, and SIAN
derous fabrication
Then what do we in this whole business of let
ter writing We see letter writer's without scrupes
relying for information upon street, tavern and back
stair gossip in the most gossppng town in the Union
and selling this information and falsehood OF entirely
new coinage, to partisan presses, conducted without
scruples, under the control of prohgate cliques +
Truly the statements of such organs are entitled tc
the respect and confidence OF an enlightened and
honest community!
At present corps of these letter writers are en-
ployed at Washington in the very patriotic and pub
icly useful business Of disappearing the official
movements of the Federal Executive, and other high
officers of the Federal Government, for the purpose
ofdepriving them of all public confidence. One of their
latest fabricatons is tale about intended resigna-
tions in the cabinet 1t tells that the present cab
net is discordant and cannot long remain together and
that this person will fill the place of that and that OF
another. Every of these stories is false, false
FALSE The President and his cabinet agree general
y and are busy at work in transacting public bust
ness; and while they do it faithfully and efficiently
they are entitled to public support, and will obtain it
from all honest men. We refer to support against
ISLANDERS and conspracies, and not for future cleo
tons. The latter belong to the people, and not to
cques and should be decided upon patriotic and not
partisan considerations. We repeat that all these
stories about designations in the cabinet utterly
untrue, and coined for partisan purposes; and in
speaking thus, we say what we kno,o.