The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-08-17

lhat there was VIDE uHtftnct pelWecH ihe wv.
This difference was, I.--,2.y that which exists
between the eagle and the OWL The one scars
alof in the broad light Of day, and gazes steadily
upon the face Of the sun. The other shuns the
day, hides its ignominy in darkness, and disputes
with the reptiles with which it broods, the right 10
bahea on garbage. The senator can be at no loss
to determine the place assigned lllim, in the back
ground and twilight Of this picture.
] have said the senator does not act without
motive. | may be able to afford the public key
to the motive which has. prompted the senator to
assail Mr.. Calhoun, and South Carolina, with
unmitgated malignity for the last quarter Of
century. will, for a moment, Messrs. Editors,
change the venue from you to the senator HIM
self, for the purpose of propoundng to him
few direct and plain interrogatories and nope
he will favor the public with a distinct answer TO
each
ask you, sir, did or did not Mr.. Madison
soon after the battle Of the "Horse Shoe, " APP
point you to the Office Of sublndian Agent, for
one Of the Southern tribes
Did or did you not, sir, hold this Office until
Mr. Monroe come into power, and Mr.. Calhoun
under him, as Secretary of War?
And did, or did not Mr.. Calhoun cause you to
be removed from the office Of sub-lndan Agent,
for maJeasance in office Mark the word, sir,
say maiteasance, not deeming IT altogether IN good
taste to use term with which all are familiar,
who are acquainted with the titles Of the criminal
code. Will you, sir, give a direct answer
these- interrogatorIes, without resorting to
ynnr nsual prevarication' The public win be graf
fled, doubtless, to, hear your response.
Ifthese questions. be answered in the affirma-
tive, orSf yd4 remaR sj)sGt, the public will be no
longer at loss 70 discover the source of that hy-
pocritica pretense OF patriotism, under of
which, you have for the last twenty-five years,
give vent to your speensagainst Mr.. Calhoun, and
South Carolina Until you answer these inquiries
in charity to YOURSELF sir, If not to those compelled
l., tn nl-n
yourselfhoarse, with the parrot cries of"Calhoun"
-'sSouth Carolina, "Union. /" 1t is said to be
fact well known to those who are acquainted
with the history of criminal Jurisprudence, that a
convict who has once stood in the pillory, never
looks at that instrument punishment afterwards
without an involuntary sensation ofangush. You,
sir, would perhaps be credible witness on this
subject.
If any thing is to be learned from the history of
your life, you belong to school of philosophers,
whose creed is only to be found in the moral and
political lee non scripia. That creed is briefly this
that dishonesty is cardinal virtue, and knavery
| an accomplishment, which alone can qualify a
disciple to act his part upon the public stage. OF
all the honors Of this school, you sir, have shown
yourself to be worthy, and casuists might even
conclude that the pyramid of transgressons which
time has erected to your memory, and upon which
your eptaph may be written, entities you, with
out any additional achievement to an honorary
membership for life.
If sir, in conclusion, sfelt authorized to offer
you a word of counsel Eat parting, | would tell
| you in all sincerity to retire at once from the
gaze of a world, from whose sentence of reproba-
ton, you be reprieved, and TO the society
of which your presence can impart no value. Pos
terity, if should condescend to notice you, will
| be at loss, whether TO assign you the rank of a
knave fool. The present generation who are
better acquainted with your qualities, will be at no
loss to determine, that you possess in your person
and character, the most extraordinary combina-
ton OF 'botli. As you cannot ihi sir, hopeto
reverse this sentence retire To merited obseurIty,
and devote the few remaining days alottedso you
under the sun, 10 preparing yourself by repent
ance for coming hour, when you must yield up
life which you have spent without adjoining or
Identifying single Virtue which stamps man, as
either good, wise or great. ID. WALLACE.
/ 1t is proper that should say, that after the
i greater part of the above written,,l received
4 from Mr.. Houston a copy OF the National Intel
igencer containing the report of his speech. As
\ Il did not differ materially FROM the report in the
Union, thought no change necessary. ID w.