Southern standard. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1851-1856, 1852-10-09
COLUMBUS:
wednesday Morning, Oct. 6. 1852.
: Wh0SH EacA was Slammed,


Ancient poetry represented Truth lame and
leaden footed while Falsehood fed before on a
hundred iron wings
''Fama, nahum, quo non velocious ullum -
But in this canvass the old fable has been falsi
fed. Truth has borrowed the wings of fame, and
follows Falsehood with the sword of Justice and
the sandals of MAIA's son. Not lie has been
started by the father of lies to the discredit of the
country's choice, which has not been hunted down
and hewn in pieces in the first few yards of its race
SANDERS cradle has SANDERS grave throughout
the season. A Nemesis presdes over every move
ment of the campaign The cholera has got in the
mandatory of Federal Roorbacks Never has
the world seen such mortality of calumnies-
The makers and vendors of Wing falsehoods would
be subjects of pity. They have exhausted inven-
ton, but can find nothing that will stand For ev-
cry serpent of the enchanters, there is Aaron's
rod.
We have already referred to their last abortion
the wretched libel, put forth in low paper call
ed the Old Defender. That obscure spawn of
the summers heat, stated the other day on the au
thority of a captain in the army aho CitnesSed tie
ufair that an officer in the United States slapped
General Pierce's face over game of cards, and
that Pierce did not resent it. This statement was
Immediately denied by the papers of the city, in
which the story first appeared and the name of
the captain" on whose authority it was said to
nave DeSu MAUI Was CdlSu tOI'
The "captain," after some delay has made his
appearance. The following is the card complete
published by him in the Baltimore Patriot of last
Fridly 1t is addressed to a.Mr. McJiton, the
editor of that paper, who wrote to the author, q;
McLane, upon the subject
SEPTEMBER 10Th, 1852.
TO ]. F. McJILroN, Esq:
''SIR duly received your letter of the 9Th
instant. and although in the publications that
tn in tl,o
city of Mexico between Gen. Pierce and an Off
Ger of the Army, my name has not been mention
ed there can be no doubt that am the person al
luded to, and have felt indignant at the ruse at
tempted to be made by the impressions and opin-
ions have heretofore expressed, in regard to that
occurrence.
''In several conversations with my friends. and
associates relative to the incidents OF the Mexican
campaign, both before and since Gen. Pierce's
nomination. | have more thansonce spoken OF the
occurrence at the city of Mexico to which alluslor
is now made-with no intention or desire, hoWev-
err that my animadverson, although not contden
tiaI would. be dragged into the newspapers for po
litica effect, but the ordinary exercise of my right;
and privileges as a citizen and gentleman ant
for the truth of my remarks l would always con
slider my self responsible to those interested.
''The publication in the odd Defender, of The
4th inst, was made without my knowledge or con
sent 1t was a material misrepresentation of wha
have said or intended and l have SO declared /
to be, to all with whom l have cOnversed IN re
gard to it, and among others, to the editor OF tn
Argus.
''The substance of my observation in regard t.
this difficulty of Gen. Pierce's is, that according
to my impression, on the night prior to his leavn!
the city Of Mexico, his face was slapped at gam
of cards, by an officer of the army, and that th
indignty was not on the instant or, as tar as
learned, subsequently, resented in such manner a
in my opinion it ought to have been, by a man c
proper spirit and courage.
''For these impressions | would, of course, b
responsible to Gen. Pierce and his friends and
must say that any imputation to me OF state
ment inconsistent with the foregoing, would be
Misrepresentation which l could not excuse.
every respectfully, your obedient servant,
GEORGE MCLANE,
'Brevet Captain United States Army"
Here then is all the foundation of this disgrace
full charge. Not one single fact is given in ev
dence: i'Brevet Captain McLane" did not wi
ness one solitary item in the account; he sa
nothing he speaks only from rumor tie on
states his 'im.pression" of the event, and only a
fords us his "opimion" of the sequel. What
such evidence worth What foundation for Il
calumny can this letter afford
Captain McLane declares the first story cage
ly seized upon by the Wing press, to be gro
and entire misrepresentation. But he omits
state that for which we have the authority of of
GERS in the army at least as honorable as himse
namely, that the offence to Mr.. Pierce, whatev
it was originated in the intoxcation of the ofe
der, and that he apologized for it in the most pr
per manner so soon rs he regained his reason.
He omits to state even his impressions of that {
uuel But that missing link proves quite imma
rial to the chain of evidence which vindieates d
Pierce and encircles his slanderers.
For the "oficer' who is said to have ''slapr
Mr.. Pierce's face, turns out to be no other P
son than Colonel Magruder-a native we belle
of this State-who has never ceased to otter
warmest tribute of respect and attachment to
very man whom he is said to have disgraced
Col. Magruder is now in California; OO ml
from the newspapers who are duplicating bis n
or In this afair-and cannot be heard directly
this matter before the Presidential election is oI
But, as we have sad there is Nemesis on
track Of the Wing party in this campaign.
most at the moment of Captain McLane's publ
ton, letter to General Pierce from Col Mag
der himself makes its appearance in the mail Fl
California, written on receiving the news of
nomination at Baltimore, and intended as a tfib
Of personal respect and regard to his old comp
ion in arms. Colonel Magrudcr is Wing
always been Whigv and will vote for the w
nominee But he viii do SO from political spril
/ PIE, and not because ne wants a due appreciate
bis antagonist spharacler. He speaks TO Gem