Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1852-09-10
From the Richmond Enquirer


In a recent speech in the Senate, Gen. Cass indul
ged in the following reflections upon that crying
vice of the age and especially of our own country
the propensity to caumny-the industry of vile per
sons in propagating ISLANDERS upon our best public
men and the readiness OF the community to receive
| to believe and exaggerate them:
ssBut, sir, must say, though I say it with both
modification and regret, that there is wonderful
proneness for abuse and SANDER in country du-
ring all our political contests No man can be NOM
mated for high Office, and especially for the high
est Office, but the walls of calumny must be poured
out upon him. without the slightest reference to his
life, his previous services, true character. His
history is scrutiniZed from his birth-not to discov
er his good qualities and his claims public consd-
Grafton, but to find some subject for attack mis-
representation He is, without the slightest scru-
pie, and without the remotest justification, charged
with crimes that in England would send him to Bot
any Bay, and in France the galleys; and which, in
every country in the world, should consign him to
perpetual infamy. And that we are not Improving
is evident from what is passing around US. We are
at the commencement of Presidential campaign,
and we begin with charging General Pierce, the
candidate Of the Democratic party, with being a
coward and know not what else and Gen Scott
the candidate of the Wing party, with being an i'm
beetle and dshonorable man. And, sir, these char
ges repeated gravely, and believed firmly over
| large extent of our country
81 speak, perhaps, with the more warmth on this
subject because have had some experience, and ]
believe that in the whole catalogue of human enor-
mites, you scarcely fnl a single crime that was
not charged to me in 1S40, except perhaps, the
murder of my wife and children and if providence
in his wrath, had taken them from me- | verify be-
lieve that should have been charged with their
murder, and have just as little doubt that large
portion of the Wing party would have believed the
story. Sir bore it well, think, quite philosophy
cally, but no man can bear such charges with per
feet Indifference. Why, if Zeno the founder of the
Stoics were here, it would try his patience to be
subjected to such aspersions. think if had gone
through some portions of this country in that year
many good wing would have peeped out from some
safe covert seeking to discover my horns and hoofs
| firm in the conviction that if | were not the arch
fend himself stood pretty high in his conclave,-
and of his fttest associates. Let refer
for moment to what was said on this floor by the
lamented statesman of Kentucky, (not the states
man of Kentucky merely but of our country he
whose mortal remains recently followed to THEN
last sad resting place; and here | will say, and
say it with pride, that during the whole of that
nlournful procession, which began at Washington
and ended at the tomb in Lexington there was
something redeeming and consong in the feelings
everywhere manifested on that sad occasion. Where
ever the house with its lamented tenant pass
ed the voice of party hushed, and the only
strife seemed to be who should render the most hon
or to the memory of a patriot and statesman who
had gone to his last home, full Of days and Of hon
/ ors.
"Wel sir, in this very hall, that revered Senator
claimed occasion to have been the best abused
man in the whole country; but think the Senate
will recollect that his words, acknowledging my
precedence, tenng himself with the second place.
and think this acquiescenee is honor enough for
modest man. 1t is said suppose by way of ad-
ministering modicum of comfort to the distress
ed-that calumny does no injury, because, says
the old moral saw, Truth is ghty and will pre-
vail 1t may be So if truth is industrious and per-
severing enough to work on forages. But it is slow
traveller 1t has not improved its gait since the ear
Hest period whilst fasehood its great enemy, trav
els with the speed of the electric telegraph Long
after the generation of those who were the victims
or its abettors, shall have gone down to the tomb
truth may be able to halt slowly along and do the
work of justice. 1t is poor compensation, hoWev
er, to those whose character is redeemed too late
| struck with remark once made upon
this subject by distinguished formerly
at the head of one of the Departments, blu
who Lao boon doed for yours. lie said I've had
made it rule to contradict any aspersion or
his character; but that on occasion so outrage
Gus an attack had been made upon him, that his
friends told him that it quite necessary he shoult
redeem himself by publicly contradcting it over bis
own signature. He did So and i'll four or five days
it was proved upon him, by Convenient testimony be-
yond the hope of relief. So much for the prevalence
of truth"
| AMERICAN SUPERIORITY ADMITTED. 1t has been
hard task for the English to concede the superior
ity of American British steam ships, of which
they had reason to be proud, yet, though long de:
layed, here it is. The London Times of the 9th in
slant, has the following:
1.-THE truth must be told-the British steam ships
have been beaten, and the most rapid passages ever
achieved between the old and new world have been
accomplished by the American steamships None
but American steam ship has ever yet run from
Liverpool to New York and vice versa, less than
ten days. The average passages of the Asia and
Africa may, perhaps nearly equal those of the Pa
cifc, Baltic and Arctic of the Collins line, but the
Americans have achieved the positive victory, in
speed, the Pacific, Baltic and Arctic-have made the
feetest voyages. On the part of the Americans the
contest has been carried on at vast cost, and addi
tona grants from Congress, ostensibly for the mail
service, but in reality from the national spirit of ri
valry, have only recently been obtained to prevent
the project from pershng by reason Of an enormous
the part of the British, while heavy amounts have
been paid by the Excheequer, and large profit has
been made by the contractors. the Messrs. Cunard,
the defeat has beer accepted only to the at
tempt in the hope and expectation of future and
eventual success
The Prompt Clerk.