The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1847-03-05
From the Washington Uuinn.

Wr' W"r'worih'- Explanation,
We shall dismiss this matter will
a very few words. Mr.. Wentworth
made,us the object of his public an.
imadversions. We stood upon ON
defence, and showed up the impress.
sions which his political course wa,
calculated to produce. He ha,
since thought proper to make per.
sonal explanation, and to open al
unjust and illiberal attack upon our.
selves. We shall enter upon no de.
fence Of our political course against
the attacks of Mr.. Wentworth. What
Mr.. Wentworth may say of us, or O.
other persons, is, in our Judgment
Of very little Importance. But hi.
vote in the House belongs to the
constituents whom he represents
and to the cause which they have
sent him to Congress to sustain
When we found him deserving from
the democratic ranks upon measures
pertaining to- the prosecution of a
war in which the honor Of the coun-
try is involved, and to ''the speedy
and successful termination" of which
the whole power and policy of the
Democratic party are pledged, we
deemed it our duty to brand him as
deserter. We so regard him now,
in spite of his own assertions to the
contrary. We appeal from his dec
larations to his votes. 1t has. in
deed, been suggested to us that his
recent professions of fidelity TO his
party may look to the fUture as well
as TO the past, and that he NAV in
tend hereafter to act up to the spirit
OF his professions. It is generally
the case, however, that the man who
deserves TO be shot in the very act
OF desertion, is the most proruse OF
his professions to his party, whilst
he is most lavish of his abuse upon
some of its warmcst friends. We
might put more faith in the reality
OF Mr.. Wontworth's democracy. i
We did not find him to be an object
of suspicion and distrust to many of
the most respectable Democrats in
the House. We know that he is
suspected and despiscd by every dis
tinguished Republican with whom
we have recently conyerscd about
him.
In what we have said Of him, we
nave been actuated by no personal
feeling. We have only done our du-
ty in unmasking to his constituents
a representative who had deserted
the principles Of the administration,
and was betraying lis party. If lie
has now made up his mind to stop
IN that course, so much the better
Tor himself. If not, it is the affair of
his constituents, and to them we
leave it, NE shall take no further
notice of him.
Since the above was written, we
have received a letter from one of
MIR. Wentworth's constituents. re-
siding in Chicago, from which. in
taking leave of the sub ect, we make
the following extracts:
"UHIcAGo, January 25, isi7.
"a large number Of our democratic citizens
vince much anxiety TO know the existing rcIo.
'nh between the administration and the member
u Oongress from this district, the Hon. Jubn
Wentworth.
"a very unusual confidence apparently exists
owards Mr.. Wentworth, which is verified by
he fact that all the official stations under tho
general government within his district are filled
~ individuals Of his special selecting for adyan.
ing his purposes.
"ln his paper, the chicago Democrat can he
seen his repeated attacks upon the presidrn, for
ms veto Of the river aud harbor bill. At the time
htse uncalled.ior assaults appeared, it was gem
rally believed they would open the eyes of the
administration 10 the true character of Mr. Went
worm. Forgiveness or oversight passed by these
lcls OF opposition to The Presidents; FROM which
circumstance he took renewed courage. and upnn
ne moor OF Congress thrust himself forward To
'o''at an important measure Of the administra.
IONA measure necessary for the success of the
i'sIdenIs plans--a measure too, which his con-
tUueh's are decidedly in favor Of II at this
iue n vote was taken in this cunprrs sionnl dis
'c, hlne-lenths ct the democracy Che Office.
ioId rs cxceptod) would decide to afford the aJ
Illustration every possible facility at the present
ryng time.
ne Mexican war, too, comes in for share
;, Nr' Nenlworlh's dlsapprobatio in his paper
l lN s.,