The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-04-02

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 from his not
having = renowned locality" or because had
not particular clearness and accuracy "upon
questions OF juridica Interpretation" or for
other reasons which | will not suggest-it is
= left for others to decide
But he says he would have considered him.
self "most censurabe indeed" if he had
acted as to leave the State unrepresented in
the United States Senate during the month of
December
The first weeks of a long session are the
least important part Of it, and if il wonld have
been censurable for him to have left his seat
vncant in December what are We to think of
the conduct which leaves it vacant now, as it
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 devoved
upon Gov Whitfield, would he not have re-
kgned, so as to have enabled him to make an
appointment! la the latter case, a small por-
been lost but if 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 occuoE it! The time required for him
to travel from Washington city to Mississippi,
added to that the 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 az to be
inaugurated at the usual date. Was his pres
ence 80 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? Ii he
has also made an arrangement to prevent another
critical period from occurring before his sue
cessor should arrive, his constituents when they
learn it, 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 attributing his own
thoughts and acts to Others, he says in his last
publication, that seemingly | have of late set
myself up for leader, and value myself "very
highly as a party tactcian." 1t is not so Ihave
neither lately nor formerly claimed to lead in a
party too distinguished for intellect and attain
ment to follow any man. have acontempt for
the character of party tactician; 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
ncuteness, 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 ofthe South were generally ready to unite
with them in support of it," &c. Those who
have been at loss to comprehend how he passed
from the position he occupied when Mr.. Clay
introduced his resolutions, to that on which he
stood in the recent canvass, here have a key to
unlock the secret 1t is sickening to contem-
plate such selfexposure. What can he mean
by political principle? 1t need no longer excite
surprise that he thought the Democratic party"
ought to havo been 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 suppose is his idea OF profound
craftsmanship that he would define it 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 success8
He SAYS that for "certain reasons" he was
DESTROYS "to avoid all further dsputation with
me-" Had his conduct corresponded with such
n DESIRE he would have had none. The esima-
ton in which | held him has long inclined me
to take no notice of him. | seldom have re-
ferred to him never without reluctance, and al
WAYS either as 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 insnuation
and secret traduction, | should bave continued
TO act as have heretofore done, with pity for
his want Of judgment and Of character; with
contempt for his falsehood and malice. Averse
to controversy, this is the first time have ever
been involved in one of this kind, and submit
to the candid whether it has been of my seeking.
None can be more weary of the subject than |
am, and this notice has extended so far because
ofmy purpose to make one exposition suffice.
Very truly, vour friend,
JEFFERSON DAVIS