Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1856-11-21

LETTER FROM COL. BROOKS.
The following letter was received by
the Corresponding Secretary of the De-
mocratic Association of Hagerstown. 1t
explains itself. -Hagerstoen Nail.
NINETY SIX, S. c., Oct 10, 1856.
Nathaniel jSchner, Cor. Sec. of Demo-
cratic association, Hagerstorn, Md.
DEAR SIR: / am this moment in the
receipt of yours of The 9th inst, COM
municating the following resolution of
the Democratic Association of IIagers-
town, Md:
"ResolUed, That the Corresponding
Secretary be requested to address the
Hon. p S. Brorks, of South Carolina,
in relation to the speech of Hon. Henry
w. Hoffman, delivered in Hagerstown,
on the oath ult., in which he stated
that in voting in favor of the resolution
to expel Mr.. Brooks from his seat in
Congress, he voted to expel Hachgnard-
ism and rubiaaism, and at the same
time the blacklist disunionist in the
land"
The formality with which the Ian
guage of Mr.. Hoffman is brought to my
notice, together with the fact that my
Democratic friends of Maryland have
felt it to be their duty to lodge informa-
ton against him, make it imperative
upon me to as formally repel his asper-
sions.
The matter of my being disunionist
or not, in no wise touches the question
of my expulsion, and / shall dispose of
this point by frankly admitting that,
until the South is permitted quietly to
enjoy entire equality in the Union, am
for independence out Of it, and Mr.. Hoff-
man is welcome to all the political cap
ital he can make out of that.
As to the charge of "blackguardism
and rufianism," by which Mr.. Hoffman
attempts to excuse his vote for the ex-
pulsion of Southern man and slave
owner who had infracted no law, rule or
regulation of the body of which he was
and is a member, but who was at the
time pursued by the whole kennel of
Black Republicans, with Mr.. Hoffman
yolping in the pack, must be less gen
eral and somewhat more impressive.
Ny associations in Washington City
have entailed upon me an extensive and
frequent intercourse with society dis
tinguished for its elegant refinement aud
rigid propriety which is denounced as
exclusive by those who are not admitted
within its circle Ny friendships and
social engagements also, occasionally
take me to the temporary residence of
some of the most distinguished men of
the land. Sometimes too, / have met
in consultation at the quarters of our
leading statesmen, and j altogether fail
to remember single occasion when Mr..
Hoffman was present, and nowhere have
| encountered him but at such places as
are open to any blackguard.
| have faint remembrance that Mr.
Hoffman read or published speech upon
the resolution to expel. An opportunity
was thus presented for him to comment
upon my conduct from his place in the
House, in such terms as his judgment Of
the character Of the act for which | was
arraigned and his feelings towards me
might have warranted. Was it delicate,
manly or honorable for Mr.. Hoffman to
suppress his venom, whilst | was present,
and to give Invent in Hagerstown, where
he supposed there was no one to defend
me and, as he yainly hoped, no one to
lodge information against him2
II pains me to believe that Maryland
has given distinction to creature who
is willing 10 wound and yct afraid TO
strike !" it humbles me to'fnd treason to
the institutions Of the South taking root
in the bosom of a Representative from q
Southern State but it disgusts me to
see that treason attempted TO be excused
by the libellous defamation Of q gentle
mans character--by defamation as un-
necessary as false, and uttered by Henry
w. Hoffman, kaooing II toJe (alse.
It was bad enough for the Rcpresen-
tatiye of the Hagerstown District to
have affiliated with the enemies Of the
gallant people he had been elected to
represent truly, without superadding
falsehood and SANDER TO the infamous