The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1879-03-01
"The Truth Of History. /"

that its opponents have ever shown proof that therc
%as l "a y any one sss o. .hat sia ,ha IN
was no Overt act Of reason but charge II with trca
sonable designs Blackburn 4 Mcdonald with AZ
their eagernoss TO Srininate the Convention could
only say hnt is aeation was when Il met again 10
separate from the Union.
But lets hear the "Advocatea az sMirities quoted
to establish the Truth Of History as laid down by
its inspired Author. The histovians quoted nom,
are, Ridpath, McCabe and Goodrich, not one ofwhich
ton Ridpath ys:-'irhe leaders N DC Democrdtie
party did not hesitate 10 say the purposes Of the As
sembly were disloyal and Unreasonable"
There is not one sentence in the extract FROM Me-
Cable that makes any allegation Of treason or pur-
poses Of treason. The quotations from Goodrich,
like those from Ridpath and Mccabe, do not answer
the "Advocate's'' purpose. Goodrich says NO act
of the Federal party bitterly reprehended by
their opponents (democrats The formation Of the
Hartford Convention. II Is represented by them
the democracy as reasonable combination fam
billions individuals. This well as in the quotation
from Ridpath, Is the Language OF democracy, and
The quotations nom j O Adams are the only au-
thority cited that support az oil, the alleged con
splraey and disoyalty Of the iederasts Of New Eng
land. The disclosures, or pretended disclosures Of
Adams TO Jefferson OF design Of the Eastern states
10 separate from the Union aud form an alliance
with England, the germ Of that clnging scandal
against New England which democracy for political
capital has sedulously endeaYored TO peTpetuate
distinguished writer speaking upon this subject
says The foundation OF this tenacious calumny
S doubtless TO be traced TO John Quincy Adams who
having lost the confidence Of his political associates
the lederAliSts oil Observation-Disclosures not being
elected 10 second term as Senator OF the United
States, speedily changed his politics and made dis
closure real or pretended ~ Jefferson In lSs to the
effect that the federaliss, OF the North-takng adj
vantage of the uneasiness Of the people account
OF the distresscs imposed upon them by the embargo
were medtatng separation from tho Union. and
alliance with Braln-Of all things the most like
ly TO obtain democratic belief, and to excite demo
cratic horror
one thing certain, Adams suddenly became good
democrat after giving this information to jefferson
and rs reward received the appointment of minis
ter 70 Russia, As showing Jefterson's opinion Of
Adams IN lS24, when he Adams candidate
for the presidency. Jefferson spoke OF him as the
federal candidate, whose election would be the
means of restoring the federal dynasty Of l7as las
man whose earliest and strongest predilectous had
been imbibed In the high schools OF ulraederalism
-Ehose political principles however aFtfiliy dis
guised had undergone no change by his pretended
ap0stasy.
But Il was not until ISIS. when Adams was n sec.
ond time candidate for the office OF president that
the whole iaetStn regard TO his calumny were fully
developed Ina controversy between Adams and
Giles OF Virginia, Letter was published an cleo
tioneerng document written lee 18th, ISIS, by JEFF
ierson, detailing the information given him by
Adams lsis In regard 10 New England Disloyalty.
The publication OF this letter detailing the disclos-
nre made by Adams, brought to the knowledge o.
the public for the first time, the charges made
against the fedenlists
addressed by Harrison Gray Otis and Il other cti-
zens OF Boston and vicinity, demanding from him
such full and precise statement OF the facts aud
evidences relating 10 this Accusation A.
them fairly to meet and AnSwerit Adams reply iSoO
lengthy 10 copy entire, but give part OF Il yer.
batinl, a. recorded IN Noungs American statesman,
He says;-"The simple fact Of which apprised
Mr. Jefferson was that in the summer Of 1907 about
the time of what was sometimes called the affair oi
| the Leopard and the Chesapeake had seen a letter
from the Gov Of Nova Scotia, to person In Massa-
ehusetts, affirming that the British government had
certain information OF plan by that Of France 10
conquer the British possessions aud to effect revo-
luton in the United States by means ola war be-
tween them and Great Britain. As the Unitcd states
and Great Britain in lS7 at peace corresIon-
| dence with the GOV Of Nova scotia held BY any
citizen of the United States imported no violation OF
law; nor could the correspondent be responsible for
| any thing which the Governor migth write. But
my iTenees from this met were that there existed
| between the British Government and the party In
Massachusetts opposed 10 Mr. jefferson A channel oi
/ communication through the governor OF Nova SEQ
Tia, which he was exercising 10 intame their hatred
against France and their leaiousles against their
government The letter was not TO any isnsier Of N
federal party but had no doubt II had been shown
70 some OF them. as II had been TO me without in
Junction of secrcsy and as supposed with u view to
convince me that this conspiracy between Napoleon
aud Mr.. Jefferson really existed How that channel
Of communication might be further used was matter
u CONJECTURE for the mission of Jchn Henry was nine
months amer my interview with Mr. jefferson and
precisely at the time was writing to my friends In
congress the letters urging the substitution of the
non-intercourse for the embargo OF Mr. Henry's
mission knew nothing until II was disclosed by
/ himself In 1872.
1t was in these letters of 1905 and 1909 that men.
toned the design OF certain leaders Of the federal
party to effect dissolution OF the Union and the es.
adjustment Of a northern eonfederncy This de.
sign had been formed in the winter Of is03-l imme-
diately amer, and consequence Of the acquisition
of Louisiana. Its justfyng causes to those who en-.
tertained II were, that the annexation OF Louisiana
TO the Union transcribed the constitutional powers
| OF the government OF the United States; that II
formed IN iaet new eoniedeacy TO which the
States, united bythc former compact were not bound
70 adhere that It was oppressive the Interests and
destructive 20 the influence OF the northern section
Of the cOniederacy whose right and duty il there.
/ un1iT nd ~
constitute one Of their own. Tins plan was SO fat
matnred that the proposal had been made to an in
dlytdual 10 permit himself at the proper time to be
placed at the head OF the military movements which
70 WIS tOrcseeil would be necessary for carving II
into execution In all this tsere lras ortft at D
trcasoH. In the abstract theory Of our government
the oeence " DE ciff-e Is due 10 an itnc0lfitn
tion1i iae " asag LAWFULLY re'is f,s erccuioH II
single individual this resistance our CON
sttntions, both of the United States and OF eaci
separate state, have provided a Judiciary power
judges and juries to decide between he iii,liyIdua
and the legislative act which he has rcsisied As un
constitutional But let US suppose ne oaf, that III
legislative acts OF one or more States OF this Union
are passed, conflicting with acts Of congress and
commanding the resistance Of their citizens arains
them, and what else can be the result but war-civ
wars And is not that de faGto dissolution Of tho
Union 80 far as the resisting States are coucernedy
Farther on IL. the same letter Mr. Adams saws =
Ar. Jefferson, president ofthe L s. the federal mem
bers Of Congress who opposed and Toted against tho
ratification OF the treaties and myself all eoncnrred
in the opinion that the Louisiana cession treafie,
transcended the constitutional powers Of the gov
have given Mr.. Adams own words ia his own
defense. He distinctly says there was no open ACT
OF treason that citizen may lawfully resist an un
constitutional law; and adds that Il was his and Je
ferSonS opinion that the Louisiana cesSion treaty
was unconstitutional and therefore might h. law.
iuly resisted He does not say at all that there wa
any open resistance to the Louisiana cesslon by any
state but the case cited by him is purely one OF sup
pOsiton-and therefore imaginary and iuferentinl-
but inc Language OF the letter is too plain to need
am sorry that space forblds giving the full lettel
ana the discussion that followed. refer the reader
WHO desires 10 follow the controversy through q
! "1oung's American Statesman" pp 4f2-8 &c lSc
The result certainly was, that Adams showed nc
grounds even for suspicion, Of what he charged and
that even II there had been some foundation for hi
opinion referred % an earlier date and could no
BY any show OF fact, reason, logic be connected
with the Hartford Convention
Again In direct contradiction Of the changes O
Adams and other anti-federalists anniust New Ene
land. was the mission Of John Henry the British
| Eastern States.
II the people were so ripe for treason and seees
sion why was IL that this shrewd eInissRry, John
henry,l sent through New England % foster tht
spirit OF rebellion, never found hot bed of secession
on which to scatter the seeds OF discussion? He ut
.erIy laile9 70 nnd response any where to his in
ded pay Tor his services and when refused returned
e America and made dupes Of hisintended victims
lie went TO Washington and there made the admin
isration believe that he was IN possession of terri
Bile secret Madison seized the hook because Il wa
balied with suspicion the seeds OF which j. q Adam
10 inculpaie the ederaliss that he bought the
and paid 5000 for Il out OF The public treasury.
few words now about the Hartford Convention
ttt,lL would Ike to give the names Ofthe 70 mem
| bcrs that composed the convention and the sever
amendments 10 the Constitution mentioned by III,
"AdyocaieH but forbear. Twill only say that Ii
1919 the original Journal Of the proceedings Of hi
convention was placed In the Office of the Seeretar,
Of State In Boston; II duly certified by the pr,si
dent MI Cabot 70 be faithful and complete recor,
o. all The motions resolutions, votes and proceed
\ ings Of that convention
This journal declared to contain every act eyer,
motion, every suggestion. that took place has beef
published. and now, after sixty years OF discussion
urged by hostile parties-parfies who deemedit vita
to the interests OF democracy 10 establish the Ilega
forts 10 eriminate-sober history is compelled 10 "a
that not public document, not private letter no
sreceh, notan act secret 0ropen, has been brough
70 light which proves or tends 10 prove the treason
able origin Of the Hartford Convention.
Thus from the testimony we have abundant cvi
denee TO satisfy any reasonable mind that the fed
erliEis sought redress Of grievances through peacs
iai and lawful means and not 10y Revolutionary
%, We leave Il for democracy which opposed IN
Constitution in is infancy 70 furnish the first exam
pies Of Modification, Disunion and Secession
When called. Saturday rs usual for my mail.
found oil my papeFs except the -Advocntea l sur
posed Il was waiting for more books Judging Troi
IL Is in need 81 more forit surely exhausted IL sor
OF evidences In lis first hcrculeal effort 70 vEndicaf
the fraudulent history.
When more books are sent for dont forget 10 or,le
the tiaorg asked for. affirming Of Blue Light Fed
eralistA We may have 70 walt for ii for some tlms
for blackburn & Mcdonald Fay In their preface tha
theirs Is the frM and 0RlN history written frnnl
southern standpoint We may have 70 wait fof
socoRd one. Speaking Of Arno.d's destruction 4
New London the HAdyOcatef says Of it.--aflis nlh
don T., irs.nItf ~ ..sl : f,r, ~. ~. ~.