The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-08-13
THE AccUsER AND WITNESS.

cusation by his own complete testimony. He makes
high-sounding, general, vague charges without
turing single specification, and limits his proof to
mere opinions, said to have been expressed by
others, and resting the whole upon his own ready
made assertions. In assaulting the President, he is
of course mere volunteer His motives we
intend to expose, while we shall show the lit
tie credit to which his malicious testimony is
entitled, and the improbability of sustaining the
sinking fortunes Of his water-logged party by
assuming that death had deprived it of the SER
vices of distinguished pilot. Mr.. Bairs pen is
vigorous, and would be effective and powerful
if it dealt in truth instead of the outpourngs of
temper engendcred by disappointment and expand
ing malice. Among his errors, of course is an over
estimate OF himself, and an underestimate Of the in
telligenee of those who read his illusions In the
excusiveness of his sel6shness he seems to suppose
that he alone is endowed with memory, and that all
are credulous he is positive, denunciatory and
reckless. The career of Mr.. Blair has been an unu.
sual one. He started the confidential friend of Henry
Clay, and then became celebrated as his vindictve
reviler Afterwards he attached himself to the for
tunes of General jackson. When the latter became
and through his patronage and that Of Mr.. Van Bu-
rem, from being utterly insolvent, he became very
rich, and while they, COL Benton, Mr.. Kendall and
others, furnished him thought and manuscript and
held him to degree of morallfe, that paper was
one of power and usefulness to the democratic party
When left to his own direction il lost both and was the
cause of discussions and difficulties These became
extensive and serious that Mr. Polk felt compel
led to in his place the service Of an editor
who would be more acceptable to his party and
thereby increase harmony and promote usefulness
Mr.. Blair was compelled to relinquish the Globe for
the good of the democratic party. Those whom he
considered instrumental in his election he has never
forgiven, Mr. Buchanan, as a member of Mr. Folks
cabinet, doubtless assented to Mr.. Bair's dismissal
as matter Of necessity which sufficiently accounts
for the continuous and reckless assaults of tho lat
ter. In 1856 Mr. Blair went out of his way to assal
Mr.. Buchanan in fendish manner. But the an
concoction Of a better scheme of calumny.
His malignity has boon recently aroused by the
removal of his from the Office of Solicitor of the
Court of Claims and he resorts to renewed as
saults, and, usual to his testimony in support
thereof. He makes general charges of corruption
intrigue and deception, without single specica
ton; and then seeks to establish them by asserting
that General Jackson and Colonel Benton had no con-
fdence in the President, and that the latter was
planning on his death-bed the overthrow of Mr..
Buchanan 8 Administrations If all this were true. it
would not prove the President to be unworthy, but
simply that General jackson and Colonel Benton
had misjudged him, probably through the mali
cioua intrgues of just such a man as Mr. Blair him
self. But it is gross libel upon the memory of
General Jackson to say he did not confide in Mr. Blu
chanan, when we know they enjoyed many years of
most friendly intercourse together, embracing the
appointment of the latter to high and responsible
mission abroad. General jackson never appointed a
man to any office whom he did not think honest and
faithful. No honest man could do SO. 1t is known
that while on his deathbed Col Benton sent for the
President and they had o gratifying interview.
If Col. Benton had entertained the opinion that Mr.
Blair attributes to him, he must have BEEN what no
one ever thought him, gross hypocrite to have in
vited tho President into his sick chamber on such
an occasion. Mr.. Bairs assumptions wholly fail
him, and no one who understands the facts above
adverted to will ever believe him
Mr.. Blairs whole case rests upon his own exhaust
less Testimony and his character as Complete Wit
ness, which is thus sufficiently weakened II is
further weakened by the fact that he publishes a
confidential note Of Col Bentons to him. in violation
of all the rules of decency prop up his accusation
But this note of itself does not sustain Mr. Blar's
assertions, without taking his mere word, expIain-
ing and giving to it meaning not shown on its face
This ace are not inclined to do; although we confess
it is in Mr. Blar's way and we not surprised al
the construction he has given it. In political mat
ters, and especially when his feelings were wrought
up so high against Mr.. Buchanan it is unsafe to RELY
upon Mr.. Blair's memory, accuracy or on his inten
TONS and much less upon his professional character
as witness. His past career furnishes an album
dance of evidence Of this. What friend of Henry
Clay after his abuse of him. from 1924 to the day of
his death, will confde in Mr.. Blairs assertions2 Can
one who was friend of John Quincy Adams, and
who recolects the charges of bargain and sale inn
puted to him aud Mr.. Clay by Mr.. Blair, ever take
his word for anything Is there friend of
Mr.. Calhoun who remembers the abuse Mr. Blair
heaped upon him for years that will trust to his as
sertions2 Can any friend of General Harrison or
Mr. Tyler con6de in one who traduced both in the
vilest manner2 Can one who cherishes the memory
OF Mr. Webster and who knows that Mr. Rla;r ,,,r