The Middlebury galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1848-1850, 1848-11-07
From the National Intelligcncer.
JOSHUA R. GIDDINGS AND HIS CA
LUMNIES.

" ~ 0ts.NO%i ~-~t1 y ~>N'N'''''Ni 6N'~~~'N
Co.. OHIO.
SIR: Irsceivcd by the last evenings mail your
letter of the 18th instant reporting TO me that al
public meeting holden at Delaware, in your
county, on the 18th instant, the Hon. JOSHUA r.
GIDDINGs, in an address there made, (during
which he heared much contumely upon Gen.
TAYLOR, WILLARD FILLMORE, DANIEL WEB
sTER, THos. EWING, THOMAS CoRwIN, and N.Y.
self asserted in broad terms that the letter of
Gen. TAYLOR of the 22d Of April last usually
called the Allison Letter No. l. was net written
by him, (TArLoR,) but thar the same was con-
cocted by Mr.. CRITTENDEN, of Kentucky, and
myself and that, during the address, considera-
BILE language was used by him derogatory to my
honor and integrity, which you deem il unneces-
sary to repeat; and finally requesting me to give
public contradiction Of what YOU believe to be
base Islander, to the end that a great egotist and
demagogue may be put down, falsely protesting
to be missionary of justice and of truth
Similar statements have appeared in the IT,
nion,' in this city. In reply, deem it proper to
say that, on personal grounds, never can con
sent to take any notice of what Mr.. GIDDINGs
may say to my prejudice; and in making Gen.
TAYLOR and Messrs. FILLMORE, WEBSTER, Con-
WIN, EWING and myself, objects of his venom,
on the occasion alluded to, am rather proud of
the association than offended at the abuse But,
when an attempt is made, through me to dishon-
or Gen. TAYLOR, lone of the greatcst and best
men now living. as verify believe,) and to give
fatal stab to the cause of just LIBERAL and pat
| riotc conservatism, to which large portion of
my life has been consecrated feel that ought
not to remain SILENT and therefore pronounce the
| statement of Mr.. GIDDINGs to be basely false,
and mere invention of a man who is quite care
less as TO the means which he adopts TO accom-
plish his political ends.
Towards the latter part of April last / had &C.
casion TO return TO my home for the purpose of
| visiting my family-Mrs. S. being in very deli
cate health. After spending a few days there
sat out to resume nv seat in Congress; and while
at my quarters in the city of Philadelphia open
cd morning paper, and my eyes for the first
time, fell on Allison letter No. 1. So far from
having had any agency in 'concocting' that letter
did not even know that such paper was to ap-
pear though had made several strong and al
most vehement appeals 10 Gen. TAYLOR in favor
of some exposition of his views and principles
such as would dsarm his opponents and satisfy
the Wings of the country. was not at all sur
prised a: the contents of that letter for it contuin
ed the same patriotic, generous and manly senti-
ments which well knew he entertained: and it
affords me much pleasure 10 say that lean prove
TO the satisfaction of every unprecedented mind
that he only is the author of this celebrated pro-
ducton, expressing the conceptions of his wcll-in-
formed and elevated mind, and the impulses of
his noble heart.
On the 3lst Of January last, several members
of Congress having become convinced that some
exposition of the opinions of Gen. TAYLOR on
public questions would be proper united with me
in letter 10 him, making inquiries as to his views
on several topics, the particulars of which can
not state, as did not preserve copy of the let
ter. In due season VIC received reply to our
communication from Gen. TAYLOR dated Baton
Rouge, March 4, ls4S, Cust one year before his
Inauguration that is TO be- in spite of all the ca
lumnies of Mr.. GIDDINGs!) the last paragraph of
which is as follows I'm conclusion, beg TO in
form you that the above remarks, though offer
cd with all the candor due to the grave subjects
of which they treat, and though have therefore,
no objection to their being generally known, are
yet not intended for publication. have been
'latterly so much annoyed by the publication of
many of my letters which were not prepared nor
intended for the press, that trust you will read
lily understand and excuse the motive of this
caution" This letter is now before me, and
deeply lament that l cannot by reason of the
concluding injunction, publish it, but l affirm
that there is, in all essential particulars, an exact
coincidence between the views and sentiments
therein expressed and those contained in the Al
lison letter Of the 22d of April. / shall Law the
letter of the 4th of March before nv excellent
friend, the Hon. ELISHA WHITTLEsEr, and will
take his opinion on the subject-(See Mr. WIS
reply at the end of this etter)
submit whether it Is at all probable thatI should
be concerned in connecting letter for Gen. TAr-
LoR: when he had addressed to me and others an |
exposition to the same effect, and possessing all
the vigor, clcarness, and ability which has charac-
terlzed all his correspondence. As he said in an
swer to the imputaton Of investing some ten thou
sand dollars in negro property on the Rio Grande |
that he wished that somebody could prove that 1
he had so much money to spare for anv purpose.
so say that almost wish that Mr.. GIDDINGs
might succeed in his undertaking for then
should pass IN the world as man of more ability
Iilan ever dreamed Of possessing. Mr.. Carr
TENDEN and myself undertake to compose letters
LOT lien. TAYLOR! The idea is prepostcrous.
we should as soon think of trying to fight one of
MS battles will add, further, that, before re-
ceived the letter Of the 4th of March, had be-
'ome thoroughly convinced. on inquiry, that the
views OF zen. TAYLOR were sound npon all great
iueStons OF public policy, and were such, if they
'ouId DC developed, as would meet the cordial
lPprooation of Wings every where. felt as
l.. That all sections Of the country could RELY
IN his moderation. his impartialty, and sense of
usnce, Tor such treatment Of those agtating and
llfncult questions (alike hazardous to the peace
y the country and to the pcrpetuiy of our glori-
Jus Onionl as would be satisfactory to all reason
ole men, North. South East, and West:
=: That he would restore Congress to that
ositton IN our system which the founders of the
epuhiic intended that body should occupy, invest
hg 1t with all its original powers and preroga- I
ives, and would rigidly abstain from any undue a
1ercise fthe veto power: II
D. That he would be strenuous in maintaining the {
eace OF the country, so far as it could be done s
onsiStently with our national honor and that /
{ neid all wars, except such as are Of defensive
naracter' and particularly wars of spoliation and
onquest, in the utmost adherence: {
4. That he would call around him Cabinet :,
the pest, the wisest, and ablest men of the land,
cooperate with him in administering the Gov 7
nment IN that generous and patriotic spirit q
Inch has ever marked his conduct Z
D. That he would endcayor to mitigate in :,
me degree the violence of party spirit, and il