The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1843-03-23

LETTER FROM VIRGINIA.

Mr. EDIroR Henry A. Wise addressed his con.
sutuepts oil the ancient metropolis of Virginia. on
Monday last and those who have had the pleasure Of
hearing him in times gone by, when, by his burning
eloquence he swayed the passions Of the multitude,
and by his close and severe logic he carried conviction
to every mind, would have listened with sincere delight
to his mastery effort that occasion. Coming as
he did from the Of his many conquests in the
legislative halls of his country, with soul burning
to be rid of the unjust imputation which the most
gust tribunal of his country had pronounced he APP
pealed TO them in the most fervent manner which
can be conceived No spirit Of resentment eyincedit.
self. No attempt to poison the minds Of his People
against the titutional inquison of his country he
presented the sublime moral spectacle of firmly
fixed in the love and admiration of the People, yielding
his own grevous wrongs, and asking only that they
would tell the world that his People not afraid
| to trust him. And nobly cid they respond to the
call. Could you have the smile of proud salts
| faction which lighted up the countenance of each, as
this noble son of old Virginia. made his appearance
| among the friends Of his youth--could you have
read in the constant flashes of his restless eye the
firm resolution and daring purpose of the soul with
in you would have beheld spectacle which for mo-
ceived. No ahectation of manner or feeling, no
seryile cringng to court the favor Of the populace
he stood before them in the majesty Of conscious
rectIlude, and in manner which you may imagine
better than describe, gave account of his steward
ship lie had appeared before them with feelings
which, until then, had never visited his BOSOM He
stood before them condemned culprt and accused of
treason. The Senate-the conscript Fathers of this
country-had pronounced him unworthy their sup
port and confidence and he held up by the pub
lie prints as who had betrayed his trust and sa-
criced the interest of those whose pride was once to
honor him. "What are the proofs of my apostacy;"
continued he. Are you willing to judge me by the
political tenets of the Wings Of 1910; Will you not
abide by the published declarations of my friend and
your Senator Jas. Lyons By those opinions | am
ready to stand fall In the publication of the Wing
creed of Virginia, was induced to repose | there
read the sentiments Of your Senator and declared
to my People that Gen. Harrison was not only OPP
posed TO Bank, but that on this question, his Re
publicanism stood the test of the severest scrutiny
lie referred to the Addres of the Convention held
in Richmond, and told them that he there saw
Mr.. Van Buren, spoken of more friendly TO a
Bank than General Harrison, and the authors of that
/ duui'Sn caiicu oh wings 10 support lltlT suOUB
Republican candidate. His letter to Sherrod Will
liams in 1886, and the sentiments therein contained
reiterated in 1910, were proudly relied on to sub
santiae his Republicanism, and to clear him of the
charge Of Federalism which his opponents were urg-
ing upon him. " Now, CONTINUED Mr.. Wise } if the
address Of that convention was the acknowledged
authentic creed of the Wings, who, proudly ask,
has forsaken the Standard / have stuck TO ii and
TO the ticket and am thus denounced, while Henry
Clay has violated every pledge which the Wings of
Virginia proclaimed TO the world the tenets of the
party. Not only have those who now cry treason
against me, and the man have supported and will
support mot only they the traitors, but
traitors in the blacklist sense Of the word
Treason is theirs not only in a political sense,
but the strongest ties Of honor are disregarded,
and obligations which barbarians reverence are
looked upon with contempt conscience is derided
and scoded at, and the pampered parasites Of the
Dictator are undermining the foundations of our
Constitution while The hardy ycomanry Of the land
are called upon to forge the chains which will bind
them to the iron Of despotism. He told them he
had no concealments to make lie should despise |
himself If they left that house without knowing fully
his sentiments understand said he that my course
in regard to Mr. Clay is looked upon with suspicion
Gentlemen, you shall know all and when the tale is |
told If there be twelve honest friends Of that man
in my district who will say can support him |
in honor to myself, and justice TO my country |
will consent TO receive osracism at your hands |
from the National Councils, yea, even from the res
pect of mankind. He said that in DAYS past he had
regarded Mr. Clay the very soul Of honor he delight
ed to look upon him some splendid work Of nature.
An Incompatible specimen Of intellectual architec-
ture which shed full blaze Of glory over the whole
of this vast continent In politics they always diff
fered-and when previous the meeting Of the Har-
risburg Convention the eyes Of the American People
we're turned to the I" orator of the Westr as their
champion; before yielding him his support. he
thought it due 10 Virginia, that he should disregard
the personal relations, and become satisfied of hi.
political orthodoxy. lie Intercepted him on the
subjects Of Bank, Tariff Distribution and Slavery -
On the first, he said he believed in the constitution
atty Of such institution, but consented TO abide
by the arbitrament of enlightened public opinion,
and would never urge II unless the People requested
it, Mr.. Wise believing in the power Of Congress
to charter Bank, was satisfied. On the Tariff, Mr..
Clay pledged himself to stand by the Compromise act
MIR Wise satisfied. On the Distribution he said
am only in favor Of distributing any surplus as the
limitation clause to FIVE years will show. On this
subject also did Mr. Wise conhde in him But what
was his after Gen Harrison received the vote
OF the Convention How did Mr. Clay doport him