Nashville daily patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1855-1857, 1856-07-29

Such men as jackson, though dead, still
ule our spirits from their urns," and if his
rfiends acknowledge the loyalty which they
once boosted, it is their sacred duty to see
that his fame does not suffer with posterity,
as the author of an unjust and slanderous
accusation. His spirit would revolt from
it, and if there be any of it among his
friends let them show it, by demanding
from Mr.. Buchanan the authority to pub
fish this letter. Buchanan, and he alone,
is able to justify Gen. Jackson's course,
and whether that course was the result of
an error or not, it is alike due to his fame
that Buchanan should unlock his lips and
speak. We call then, upon the true friends
of the old hero to join with us in the de-
mand for this letter.
Mr. Clay's friends are willing to unite
with Gen JackSon's, and force, if possible,
the publication of this letter, and learn for
themselves, and let the world learn, the
truth and the whole truth. Buchanan, as
before said, is the only living man who can
elucidate the ochOle affair Such an expo
sition as he can make is just to both par
ties. The truth never hurts the truthful.
-Four men were prominent in the events
which gave origin to this charge, which has
eXerted SO deep and lasting an influence on
the politics of the country, MessrS. Clay,
j. @. Adams, Jackson and Buchanan.
Three ofthem are dead-"the good knights
are dust, and their good swords are rust"
one only is living, and he is now presented
as candidate for the highest Office in the
nation. The reputation of all these men
was involved, either for good or i'll, in this
transaction. That of the only surviving
participator by his prominence, has become
public property. 1t is charged that his
connection with it is not "clear"-that the
part he bore was not that of an honorable
man. 1t lies in his power to disprove this
charge if it be false to acquit his fame-to
fix forever the guilt upon the guilty, to do
justice alike to the prosecutor, the accused,
and himself the chief witness; 1T is said
that he has made written statement which
will diSpel the mystery which for more than
twenty-five years he has suffered to shroud
the truth. Will he publish that statement?
Will he tell the truth? Will his friends,
for his own justification, assist in the at
tempt to induce him to consent to the pub
iication of that statement? Are they not
willing that their candidate, without reSer-
walton or mutilation, shall give the world
the correct history Of a transaction which
SO deeply involves his own good name?
But what must every man whose politi-
cal preiudices have not blunted his sense of
right and honor think, if this letter be still
suppressed, and by the connivance of Mr..
Buchanan? The country, the truth of his
tory, and voices from the tombs at Quin-
cy, at Ashland, and at the Hermitage, his
fame as man of truth and honor all de-
mand that he should consent to the publ
cation of that letter. Will he remain
longer silent? Can be do so without con-
vincing the world that its publication would
but add darker hue to his already tar
niShed renown? 1t is the guilty witnesses
plea of silence on the ground of selfcrimi-
nation. 1t is an igGominiOus Skulking be-
hind privilege, diSgraceful to the humblest
petit-felon, but doubly, trebly, thousand
times so, when seen in one seeking high po-
StiOn. 1t is cause ofsuspicion, that goaded
by the prickiugs of an uneasy conscience,
he would only confess under the seal of con-
fdence, but that suspicion amounts to econ
frmation, strong as proofs of Holy Writ"
when no demand or necessity, not even that
of his own honor, will allow that seal to be
broken. Mr.. Buchanan and his friends
may withhold, nay they may destroy that
letter But a discriminating public will
interpret that conduct correctly. They
will render a righteous judgment They
will esteem it a confession of the charge,
and it is one. If it be not, why conceal
the letter? If truth and honor and fair
dealing has been his course, why suppress
the truth? Every intelligent, unprecedented
man in the land has been one answer as
reason for its suppression. lie fears it. At
the thought of its appearance he trembles
like sick girl" Like Banquo's bloody
neck it will scar his eye-balls, and he breads
lest it push him from his stool. Again we
call upon Mr.. Buchanan's friends for this
letter. If it be not forthcoming the coun-
try will judge him as base, as they have
pronounced his accusation baseIess.