The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1858-07-27
A Lecompton Nominee laid An hts Pc.
litlcal Grave.

NticeA Uxovos NE
We have never seen in but one political
controversy, 50 triumphant vindication Of
himself from the attacks of an assailant, as
that which Mr.. Hicks of the Rockport
Democrat presents in the proofs of the du-
plicity and falSehoods Of John C.. Shoe
maker, Lerompton candidate for the Senate,
from Warwick, Spencer, and Perry, which
viii be found in another part Of this paper.
The readers of political history, for thirty
years past, will recollec. the famous contro-
versy between John 9. Adams and Jona-
athan Russell, in regard to the certain oc-
curenccs in the negotiations at Client, in
which Adams, Clay, Russell, and others
were the American Commissioners. Russell
was Senator from the State of Massachu-
sets, ambitious, naughty, and urs III u'ous,
when tempted by envy, hatred or self in
terest. In 1924, Mr.. Adams was jSecre-
tary of State, and candidate for the presi-
dency. Russell was personal enemy, and
envy made him q bitter opponent. He
made open charges, that Adams had at
tempted TO barter the navigation of the
Western rivers in the negotiation at Client,
for certain privileges TO eastern fishermen,
on the coasts of the British Provinces. The
truth of these accusations could be proven,
he said, by certain letters written from
l. =
resolution passed the Senate calling for n
copy of the Client letters. An answer was
returned that no such letters were in the de-
partment Mr. Russell intimated that as
the original letters were lost he had private
memoranda from which he could furnish the
world with copies. At the request Of the
Senate he did so; and upon their face, as he
presented them to the world, they seemed
to bear damning proof that Adams, the as
pirant for the presidency, who was looking
TO the young States in the Northwest for
support had offered to betray the rights Of
the free navigation of their noble rivers to
British ships and steamers, to procure the
privilege of drying cod fish on the coasts of
Newfoundland, to few Yankee fishermen.
The effect of the disclosure for few days,
seemed overwhelming, in public opinion,
against Mr.. Adams. The latter, putting
on his tailor's thimble, which he wore on
his pen finger When writing, indited re-
ply that will be as immortal for its cunter.
king severity and mastery ability, as the
letters of Junius. 1t came like an Ava
lanch upon its intended victim, and crushed
him to the earth; and he fell with the bitter
scorn and contempt of the whole country
heaped upon a name, that at once became a
term of infamy with every school boy in
the land.
The original of the papers by which Rus
sell pretended he could prove his accnsa-
tions, and three copies of which he profess
cd TO have furnished to the country, were
letters to Mr.. Monroe, at their date, Secre-
tary of State, but being private, they were
not placed on the files of the Department.
but were retained among Mr.. Ms private
papers, and were given up when the accuse.
tons were made to Mr.. Adams for his vim
dication. Russels pretended copies were
proven by the originals to have been false
and fragrant forgeries. Instead of proofs
of the truth of the accusation, they showed
the contrary to have been the facts; tina,
Adams and Clay had protested against the
concessions of navigation, and declared the
war might be interminable before they
would assent to it; and with these proofs
Mr.. Adams fell with his trenchant pen, keen
as Damascus blade, upon his accuser
transfxed him with single stroke, and
held the ibeller, the liar, and forger, quiv.
ering with fear and in spasms of torture, w
TO the scorn and execration of the country
II was mortal blow, that brought sudden.
ly both physical and mental dissolution
Russell never afterwards entered the Senate
chamber. In a few days ne was struck
with paralysiS-hiS mind wandered, and il
few weeks he sank from the proud Sena
tor, q robust man, an able and eloquent de.
bater-the pride of his State and party-tC
pulling, dwelling, imbecile an object Of
commisseration to the beholder; few
months closed his earthly career-his fat,
pointing moral, and his name furnishing
new and expressive term to describe tn,
fate of all who should fall by a like falls
step. To be jonathan RusSellized" is
most significant expression in the annals o.
1924 and 1925. There has not been NOR
striking instance of similar operation in
many years, than in the case of Hicks ant
Shoemaker. Hicks has " Jonathan Russell
lied the petty political aspirant from Per
~, and given him so deep grave, the pub
lie will never be troubled with any offensive
doors from the small remains of him. Owe
il stands the Bonded form and disconsOlat
face of the Perry Shoemaker organ, flood
ing with its tears the resting place of it
first born" and refusing to be comforted il
its bereavementS.
Edln the discussion now going on il
VIRGINIA relative IN free ond slave lahn