Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-05-22
To HE Editors of The Enq"f'ef;
MIprlgssx CouNrY, April -, lSlt


MlprLgsgx CouxrY, April 30 lSiG.
Gentlemen: In your paper OF The 2lsl Aprll,
is published communication over me sisnd'uig
OF IN lies F. Mason, "purporIins 10 De defence
OF his former communication, containing an ac-
count OF The proceedings OF The UTbanna meeting
held at March Court; bul which is in lac an as
sault upon "AIpha, Jr, published on The ilh, lor
giving a faithful statement oil what occurred al
the meeting alluded TO- Now il IS submitted 10
the better Judgment OF Mr.. Mason, II he ought not
10 have defended his own proceedings, rather than
impugned The motives OF "Alpha, Jr' Can he
suppose that bombast and ifolh will be taken Tor
argument, or inve.lvc for proof! II so, he intisI
have formed a very low estimate oil The inelli-
sencc Of your readers, who would, doubtless, ra-
Their have had the testimony To subslanllate The
correctness ofhs report. And il would have been
infinitely better had he accepted the services OF
The very able and profound attorney, whose assis-
lance was rendered him al the meeting IeiefTedIo,
and he would mol, in all probability, have fallen
into the errors which subsequently required The
aid Of more superficial counsel, who has mol at
iempcd,o conirovcrt Il single statement made by
"Alpha, or sustain The former position taken by
himself but seems 10 have lost sight OF the vera
city and iailhiulness" of his client, which he says
were "assailed," and turns the whole force OF his
battery 10 relaliaIe upon his Gigantic" assalant
|, must b. admitted, however that the defence
is as gooc as could possibly have been made, un.
der the circumstances; and were the counsel, |
would never undertake 10 defend again where no
single position OF the accusation could be cohlIu-
verted bul would advise The criminal 10 plead
guilty 10 tho charge, and throw himself upon the
mercy Of the Jury and clemcncy OF The Court
With regart 10 the correctness of the statements
made by "Apha," reference is respectfully made
TO Dr. w L. Gatewuod, Muscoe Ganet Esq,
and Mr.. p. 5. Woodward, or 10 any other gentle
men who were present in The meeting. Aslo the
'promplings" OF Alpha" he can sayto The gen.
llcman that injustice was done 10 others in his err
roneous and muliaed account published on the
9Th ull., ami il was with view 10 correct this,
and desire 10 maintain truth, that moved him 10
action; that 10 ''secret spring produced the tric-
tioD" rs minated. That a different nominee
was desired by alpha, is readily admitted; but
that he desired the nomination himself, is positive
" denied. Indeed, the idea is perfectly preposte
rous as he is ineligible To a seat in the Lesisla-
ture, (holJing an Office Incompatible herewith
That he wished 10 distract the Democratic
party, and bring in a Whig," he also de-
MES; for, so soon as il was understood that
there would be a Wing candidate he ceased
his efforts TO bring another Democrat into the
field, and gave MIR. Browne reluctant support.
No one prelends 10 doubt that "Mr. Browne is
plain farmer whose interest is (for the most parl)
closely interviewer with The great body of the
people," and, as he is now elected, il is hoped
that he may prove all that is desirable, but his no.
animation was not lair expression of the will OF
The people; and, besides, Alpha saw, or thought
he saw, a certain finger Of clerical influence
thrown into The scale, which he is willing 10 ac-
knowledge in matters Of religion, but not in poll
tics.
In conclusion, Messrs. Editors. Alpha would
stale, that what he has written has been IN de
fence" OF TRUTH that he had no inclination 10 pro-
woke controversy with MIR. Mason, and he sin
cercy desires that he may be saved the trouble of
again .uespassing on The columns OF the Enquirer
or The patience OF Jour readers; and, above all,
upon his own time, which cannot be spared with
out more "lucubraiion" than he is wont to IN
dnlee. ALPHA, JR.