The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-04-03

exceeded by about five hundred dollars the
sum which by computation Of the post distances
and legal rate Of allowance could claim for
myself Whether this arose from his not
having renowned locality" or because had
not 4partlcular clearness and accuracy aupon
questions OF juridica interpretation" or for
other reasons which l will not suggest is
left for others TO decide
But he says he would have considered him.
self "most censurable indeed" if he had 80
acted as to leave the State unrepresented in
the United States Senate during the month of
December .7f
The first weeks of long session are the
least important part of it, and If il would have
been censurable for him to have left his seat
vacant In December, what are we to think of
the conduct which leaves it vacant now, as il
has been since some time in December! If he
had been really intent on securing full repre-.
sentative for the State in the United States
Senate, would he not have desired that Gov
Guion should have exercised the appointing
power? and at a subsequent period, when the
duties of chief executive of the State devoyed
upon Gov. Whitfield would he not have re-
signed, so as to have enabled him to make an
appointment? In the latter case, a small por-
ton of the session of Congress would have
been lost but IL it had been known that an ext
gency existed requiring attendance, full and i'm
mediate, the number of days lost would have
been very few.
Finally did he not know that by hanging
on to his office until the legislature met, his
seat must be vacant for longer period than
he could occupy il! The time required for him
TO travel from Washington city to Mississippi
added to thatithe new member would require to
travel to Washington; and also the time neces-
sary for the organization Of the Legislature and
election of the new member, could not fail to
exceed the time which he could remain in the
Senate, if he returned to Jackson so as to be
inaugurated at the usual date. Was his pres
ence so much more valuable than that of an
other, rs to Justify the claim he sets up or is
he on such terms with the crisis maker that he
could limit.the critical period to the day when
he must leave Washington, so as to reach Jack
son in due time for his inauguration? If he
has also made an arrangement to prevent another
critical period from occurring before his sue
cessor should arrive, his constituents, when they
learn il, will have cause to thank him for that,
among other important objects which were ac-
complished by him, and which they will realize
one of these days."
He habitually and very improperly, calls me
leader of the party in which have served, and
according to his custom OF attribLtng his own
thoughts and acts to others, he says in his last
publication that seemingly | have of late set
myself up for a. leader, and value myself "very
highly as party tactician." 1t is not SO have
neither lately nor formerly claimed to lead in
party too distinguished for intellect and attain
ment to follow any man. have acontempt for
the character of a party tactcian; and have
never been more disguised with his venacity
than when read the declaration in his last arti
Gle. presented as evidence of his Intellectual
acuteness, that he foresaw the adjustment
measures must in the end become extremely
popular through the Republic; that it was
the policy of the Democratic party to rally to
the support of the compromise; that the
Wings of the South were generally ready to unite
with them in support Of it." &c. Those who
have been at a loss to comprehend how he passed
from the position he occupied when Mr.. Clay
introduced his resolutions to that on which he
stoodin the recent canvass, here have a key to
unlock the secret Ii is sickening 10 contem-
plate such sefexposure. What can be mean
by political principle? 1t need no longer excite
surprise that he thought the I" Democratic party"
ought to have been 6 re organized upon the plat
form of the compromise" Or that he should
think the same of any other question which he
may hereafter see-will become extremely popu.
lar. This l suppose is his idea Of /" profound
craftsmanship; !" that he would define II to be
the science Of holding fast to one office until
another is secured, and hitching like burr to
any party or combination which passes by him
on the road to success. -
He says that for "certain reasons" he was
DESTROYS to avoid all further disputation with
me-" Had his conduct coyresponded with such
n desire, he would have had none. The estima-
ton in which held him has long inclined me
10 take no notice Of him. | seldom have re-
ferred to him; never without reluctance, and al
WAYS either as q duty to abate public nuisance,
or, as on this occasion, for self defence. | have
often been told that treated him with for
bearance to which his conduct towards me did
not entitle him but never that had been i'm.
properly severe.
Had he adhered to his practice OF insinuation
and secret traduction, should have continued
20 act as have heretofore done, with pity for
his want Of judgment and Of character; with
contempt for his falsehood and malice. Averse
10 controversy, this is the frat time have ever
been involved in one Of this kind, and submit
To the candid whether il has been of my seeking.
None can be more weary Of the subject than
am, and this notice has extended so far because
Of my purpose TO make one exposition suffice
Very truly, your friend,
NUnuW WnWnW