Indiana Palladium, Volume 3, Number 41, Lawrenceburg, Dearborn County, 20 October 1827 — Page 1

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EQUALITY OF RIGHTS IS NATURE'S PLAN AND FOLLOWING NATURE IS THE MARCH OF MAN. Barlow. Volume III. LAWRENCEBURGH, INDIANA; SATURDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1827. Number 41.

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MR. DUCKjVEWS ADDRESS, To his constituents, in relation to gen. Jackson's letter to col. YVm. Owens. To the voters of the eighth congressional district. Tho election of a member to congress

from this district having closed, I can address you, without incurring the censure of acting from interested motives in relation to it. The political excitement which has prevailed in this district and throughout the state, dictates the pro onrtv of Dermittincr the ebulitions of passion to subside as soon as possible and not to give additional fuel to the flame. Such was my ardent desire; and I should have contented myself, by returning to you my most gnteful acknowledgements for the recent testimony which you have Jurnished of your unabated confidence, in at least my disposition to 6erve you faithfully, in the arduous and honorable station to which you have called me, at three successive elections, had it not been for a most extraordinary attempt, made by gen. Andrew Jackson, not only to injure my prospect of election, but to assail the purity of my motives in the course which I pursued during the canvass. You all know what that course has been, and the unprincipled attacks which some of my enemies have made upon me. With them, no fabrications against the administration, (for whoso acts they seem disposed to hold me responsible), was too barefaced; no misrepresentation of my political opinions, was too ridiculous to be essayed by men, who seemed determined on success, utterly regardless of the means employed to ensure it. It was in vain that an appeal was made to their candour to take the puhic speoches made by m?,both in congress and before you, with my votes, as the surest test of those opinions. Marked as the victim of their political persecution, the rancour of their hostility towards m5 appeared to be but increased by the prospect of my success. Not only the error, real or supposed of ihe present administration of the general government, but even those of the administration of Mr. Adams deceased were urged, and grossly misrepresented to you, with the intent of operating against my interest. To all true patriots, it must be matter cf great regret that such violent party spirit should prevail. I have watched its progress, not only in this state, but in the United btates. tor several years past wun no small apprehension of the alarming and fatal consequences to which it most inev itably lead unless the wise and virtu ous part of the community shall discoun tenance, and thereby check its influence The various public addresses made by me during the summer afforded me opportunities of turning my attention to most of the charges alluded to, to shew the fallacy of some, and the inapplicability of them all, so far as they were intended to operate on me. It was apparent to my enemies, blinded even as they were by party spirit, that their attempt would prove abortive, unless some other expedient could be resorted to with better hopes of success. One last and violent struggle was to be made. Expressions alledged to have been uttered by me, more than two years eince, were ascribed to me, in which I am re presented as evincing an utter contempt both for ttfc people of my district, and for the republican principles on which our government is founded. To those statements, in a few hand-bills, hastily prepared, I gave a most positive and unequivocal denial; and by the testimony of a g ?nt!man of high respectability d;nroved them, as far a? a negative is susceptible of proof. Before I had time t prepare even that defence, the letter alluded to made its appearance. It contains a slander which was perhaps r.rA- intended for publication, but for the eve of his friend and correspondent, Wm. O veas, esq. Gen. Jackson in that letter datd 26th of July last, influenced by ni - .lives, which no one of common sense ca.i misunderstand, and which every man of honorable sentiments must condemn as utterly unworthy and contempt ible, asserts that circumstances on record at Washington city stamp my allegations with falsehood. Printed copies of this foul and slanderous letter were circulated through my district in every direction, for about a week before the election, at a time when it was known, both by its writer and the individual to whom it was addressed, that 1 should have no opportunity of making a written reply to it, until after the election was iin. i ii a- . over. vuat my allegations were, is not stated. Had there been any specification an opportunity would have

been afforded to me of relying upon

either a denial or justification, but it best suits the purposes of defamation to deal in general remarks. 1 hope that 1 shall be forgiven by you, in the vindi cation of myself, by following the vulgar example set, and declaring that tne charge thus made against me, by gen. Jackson, is itself absolutely false. The petition signed 44 John Harris " was not n d b to be genuine. It had i o - . been published in many ot the papers of the United States, without my procurement or knowledge. The general yielding too much to that impetuosity of feeling and violence of temper, for which he is said to be so remarkable, is thus giving to the petition and circum stances on which it purports to be founded, much greater importance than they would otherwise have. Compared with the main objections against his promo tion to the presidency, they are, in my humble judgment, as mole-hills by the side of the Andes. I have not now time, nor would it be a suitable occasion, on which to enter into an examination of them. I have frequently called your attention to many of them, and shall pro bably do so again. Let then the gener al bear patiently the scrutiny of the pub lic eye. Ihe conduct, the character, political and moral, as well as the quali fications of an individual aspiring to the highest office within the gift of the people of the United States, will and ouirht to be subjects of the most rigid investiga tion, if the peaceful solitude of his "Hermitage" be so disturbed whenever he hears that they have been topics of remark, let me assure him that it is des tined to he again, and again, the scene of confusion and consternation. Public curiosity has been aroused, and public enquiry is on its march Nor have the) been without their beneficial effects. Almost each week has brought to view additional facts, and thrown new lights on those subjects, calculated to open the eyes of the people and to warn them of the dangerous precipice upon which they tread. The general's "hard earned reputa tion," about which he speaks, with such becoming modesty, if it be founded on real merit, is in no danger of being im paired by examination. But if, when the mist of popular prejudice and par tiality shall be dissipated, the sober judg ment ot an enlightened public shall pro nounce that his, was a mushroom popu lanty, gained "without merit;" let him not flatter himself that they can add, that it was lost "without a fault." We I l J i- r i a i nave iieara mucn oi late aDout a reign of terror, a sedition law, &c. When at tempted to be applied to the present ad ministration,- such expressions are but scare-crows, used by artful politicians to alarm the ignorant or are the idle phan tasms of disordered minds. Our govern ment has never been more ably adminis tered, or upon more republican princi pies. We hear of the approach of ty ran ny and oppression, yet who has seen or felt it? But should the greatest political wonder occur, which has ever astonish ed any age or country the election of gen. Jackson to the presidency what may we not then expect, from what we have already seen? He, a citizen of diiuiuci si. ut, a canuiuare lor me oriice of our chief executive magistrate? to say nothingabout other means employed to insure his success, makes a direct and unfair attempt to influence the election of a member to congress from this district; and that too at a period, when it was believed to be impossible to counteract its effect on the election. Suppose the president of the United States should thus attempt to use his influence would there not be one general burst of indignation against him? Were the general elected, would he disdain to do that, as president, which he has so unI, i i . r . i ,r blushingly done whilst a candidate? One would have supposed that this im maculate patriot, who, with whatever patience and complacency he may listen to propositions of intrigue and corrup tion "before he would reach the presidential chair by 6uch means, would see the earth open and swallow both Mr. Clay his friendsand himself" would have been willing to see at least the Hermitage sink, sooner than he would attempt for his own benefit to influence an election in another state. If whilst his pretensions are before the public, he has not been restrained from the commission of such an outrage; at what will he serupie, in tne indulgence ot nis passions, when he shall have secured the object of mis iiiusi inoramaie amniuon : ive may hear the voice of servile adulation, and see its rewards, profusely lavished, but the manly voice of free inquiry into pub-

the unrestrained elpres-j measures, sionof public opinion will be stifled, and the merit of an aspirant to office will be tested by his devotion and blind obedience to the orders of the day. With sentiments of respect, I am your obedient servant, and fellow citizen, RICHARD A. BUCKNER. A correspondence between the hon, Richard A. Bucknerand James Allen. Greensburgh, Aug. 9th, 1827. Sir: On application to the editor of the Argus, he declared you to be the avowed author of the first publication in that paper, signed "An old fashioned republican." In that, and subsequent numbers, under the same signature, there are assertions made concerning me, which make it my duty to demand of you an answer, whether you are willing toanord me such satisfaction as is usual among gentlemen. By my friend Mr. Thornton, I expect your answer. Yours. RICHARD A. BUCKNER. Gen. James Alien, Greexsburgh, Aiig. 9th, 1827. Sir: I received your note by Mr. Thornton, in which you demand of me an answer, "whether I am willing to afford you such satisfaction as is usual among gentltmcn. What my otlence has been is not stated, and therefore I am at a loss to tell what the usual satisfaction imoog gentlemen might be, unless all offences demand the same satisfaclion. I nave no nosuiitv against vou as SI I . I . a man, but I am conscientiously opposed to your political course, and I c annot see anything in the numbers, to which you allude, which ought to he productive o( tny serious consequences, i am never opposed to making honorable satisfaction to any gentleman, lor ?inv uiir.g 1 sav or do, but should prefer aiways to exhaust every friendly means oi accommodation, before a resort is made, to violent and un lawful means. You know the situation in which I am placed, and therefore it woulu ne wen to oe caretul, lest you might incur the censure of being more i it. pressing in your call upon me, than, per haps,' you might be upon others, who nave aauressea you in term3 equally as offensive, I am entirely unacquainted with the 6tyle and etiquette of the duellist, and therefore most frankly acknowledge, that I do not know whether to understand your note to mean a challenge to fight in single combat, as a satisfaction usual . . i i i among genuemen or not. . wnen i am instructed in this matter, I will answer you promptly. Yours, &c. JAMES ALLEN. The hon R. A. Buckner, P. S. You will answer by my friend James W. Barrett. J. A. Greensburgh, Aug. 9, 1827. Sir: Your note in answer to mine of this date was delivered. Mr. Thornton informs me, that you requested of him to know, whether you might understand it as a call on you for satisfaction, and that Ihe replied you were at liberty so to con sider it. r urther correspondence, therefore, on that point was unnecessary.I hope you do not intend to equivocate by pretending to misunderstand me. I do not intend to enter into an argument with you on the subject of your unprovoked attack upon me in a newspaper, at a time when you knew that common prudence would dictate the propriety of forbearance, until the election for congress was over, nor shall I put myself to the trouble of inquiring whether you feel hostili ty against me as a man. You remark that you cannot see any thing in the numbers alluded to which ought to be productive of serious consequences. Of that you must permit me to form my own oninion: and also to determine whether others have addressed me in terms equal ly offensive. If I have not been sufficiently explicit and you will assure me that you are willing to afford me an interview, and that no legal advantage shall be taken of me, you shall forthwith be called upon in language which even you shall, not have a pretence for misap prehending, or doubting about. Any terms agreed upon by Mr. Thornton with you or your friend .will be binding. Yours, &c. RICH. A. BUCKNER. Gen. James Allen. We hereby pledge ourselves that no legal advantage shall be taken of any communication made to us, relative to an aflair of honor, by Mr. Richard A. Buck ner. JAMES ALLEN, JAS. W. BARRETT. At which time Mr. Barrett, the friend

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of general Allen, made a proposition to

Mr. Thornton, the friend of Mr. Buckner, that a direct challenge should be sent, or that a postscript might be added to Mr. Buckner's second communication by which it might be made a direct challenge, which he said he was authorized to accept. I his remark of Mr. Barrett's authority to accept was in the last conversation, and which was not communicated to Mr. Buckner until Mr. Barrett and Mr. Thornton had separated. Mr. Thornton had previously remarked . a a . 1 j"V to Mr. Barrett, (thouah ttiey dillered with respect to the character of Mr. Buckner's first note), that he had inform ed gen. Allen when enquired ot by him, that he was at liberty to consider that note as a challenge; but observed to Mr. Barrett, that he must wait until he could see Mr. Buckner who was in town, to have the challenge dictated as required. Night now coming on, and Mr. Barrett having to go five or six miles home, and to avoid suspicion, it was mutually agreed by Mr. Thornton and himself, that the business should cease for the night, and that at 10 o'clock in the morning, at a place agreed upon, the challenge should he ready. On the next morning before the hour appointed had arrived for handing the challenge above spoken of, Mr. Barrett and Mr. Thornton met together, not at the place appointed, and mutually regretted what was to take place, and both agreeing in a belief that it was their indispensible duty as friends and relations, to do all in their power towards a friendly adjustment. Mr. Barrett observed to Mr, Thornton, that it was the opinion of the friends of gen. Allen that he had used language harsh and rather insulting in his publication ; that in consequence they believed it to be his duty, (so far at least), to make and toojfer reparation to Mr. Buckner; and, that whether it was received or uot by him as satisfactory, it would place him, (Allen), ir an attitude the better conscientiously to brave the consequences. Mr. Thornton frankly acknowledged that he thought such an acknowledgment on the part of Allen would ne satisfactory, and without at delay went to see Mr. Buckner on the subject. In a short time he returned and remarked to Mr. Barrett, that Mr Buckner would receive such a communi cation if satisjactory. In consequence of which the following note zcas offered by gen. Allen and taken by Jlr. Buckner as satisfactory. Greensborgh, Aug. 10th, 1827. Sir: Before the matter progresses any farther between us, I would just remark, that my friends have suggested to me, that my language, in some of the numbers alluded to, is harsh and insulting. This may be the case, and there fore I feel it my duty, as my friends have pronounced this sentence against me, to acquit my own conscience of any impu talion of having done wrong in any res pect, and to do justice to you; I state, that any charge which I may have made against you, in any of the numbers alluded to, calculated in the least to impugn your honor or veracity, if any such there be, I disavow; and declare that it was not my intention to offer any person al insult. Where in the first number the words "falsehood and slander" are used, they were in allusion to the quota Iron from Benton's book, and not against you as the author of the falsehood. This was my meaning. On a re-e.tami nation of the numbers I find this con struction is not as apparent as I thought it was Sz as I intended. I therefore feel it my duty to say, it was not mv intention to charge you with anv intentional mis statement, or with being the author of it. It was barely to shew, that the part of Benton s book which was read by you (and for the truth of which you faid you did not vouch), was false. I knew you were not the author of :t, and therefore, could not be charged with its falsehood: but being used in your speech, I was not 1 acknowledge, sufficiently explicit in applying the charge, so ai to avoid a construction that it might apply to you. As an honest and honorable man, I fee) it my duty to make this statement before the controversy arrives at a point which cannot be changed. Over and above this, I feel it my duty, in obedience to the benign SDirit of that relifiion which I profess, whenever I am convinced that I have done an injury to my neighbor's moral character, or property, to restore to him full satisfaction. If there be any other words harsh and offensive in the numbers, my apology in relation to those words are the same as above stated ; and partly, perhaps, to an indulgence too much cherished by the people generally, in the use of public men as public property. I have thus fraukly done what I

believed to be right, by disavowing all intentions of insult, or injnry to your moral character or even to hurt your feelings as a man, a fellow citizen, and it i ii -

a neigriDor: ana mereiore must entertain the belief that you think I acted from honorable motives and not with an intention wantonly to wound your feelings. JAMES ALLEN. The above correspondence hating taken place between Mr. Buckner and gen Allen, and some degree of publicity having been given to the fact, that a correspondence, had occurred, we request that you will publish it, with the above statement of facts. ANTHONY THORNTON, JAMES W. BARRETT. August 27 thy 1827. Providential Escape. "While John B Smith, Esq. an old and respectable inhabitant of this city, was on an excursion to Niagara Falls, he with some gentlemen, was endeavouring to get near tho sheet of water on the British side, that forms that immense cataract, when Mrj Smith's foot (ne being foremost) slipt, & he was precipitated forty leet over the rocks on a Hat projecting ledge of tho precipice. In this condition he was with out any possible means of getting Lack again, as no one could aflbrd him the least assistance by a rope or otherwise trom above, such being the formation of the place from whence he fell. At first he made a desperate effort to climb un u by means of projecting rocks, but he had no 6ooner put his weight on one of thm than it gave way, and he was precipitat ed fifty feet further down the cataract His head was cut in several places, ai d hi3 body greatly bruised. When he recovered his recollection he found himself again on the top of the rock from which he had first fallen. How he got upon the flight of stairs in Ins weak and bleeding condition no one can tell not even himself. His friends received him with wonder and astonishment, and took him to Mr. Fosyth's tavern, where this unfeeling publican refused him help or succour, notwithstanding the urgent solicitations of Mr. Smith's friends, & himself almsot in an expiring condition. Mr. Forsyth's plea for not admitting hini was, that 'he looked so bad ;' neither money nor entreaties could induce him to affo'd Mr. Smith any assistance.-GYvered with blood and still bleeding rapidly, at eight o'clock in the evening, in this helpless condition, he was turned from the doors, and obliged to cross the river to the American side, where he was received and hospitably treated by Mr. Whitney, who did every thing in his power, to prove himself the "good Samaritan." For several days after this accident Mr. Smith discharged large quantities of rxtravasated blood from the top of his stomach, but no other ill consequences ensued. Evening Post. Murder in Otsego County. A iLoit diabolical murder was cowujiticd in the viciniij of CooperstoHD, on Monday last, by Leti Kelly upon a Mr. Spjfford.--&pan"3rd was t tenant of Kelly, worked on bis fum and lived in the samo bouse vrith ban; ihey hnd a dispute on Sunday, when K. threatened S that be would aboot him. On Monday evening while Mr. Kelly na 1a the room with Sp&fford and bis wifr; Krlly entered with a gun in bis binds and ppropch-j ed &pHord, presented the nouzilo within 'hrea' feet of his breast, acd discharged tb contents1 (coarse shot) into bis body, when he Tell and ex pired in about three minutes. Kelly was arrested and is now in prison. The perpetrator of this crane was a farmer ia easy circumstances, though notorious for his irrasciblo temper, he often threading those with whom he was offended, with personal violence. This unfortunate victim of uoirnvern&ble passion, so timed a journey to this city as to be present at the execution of Strang, aad yet in a few days he committt d an act that will in all probability subject hts self to the like penalty. Daily AJv. At the Assizes for Worcester, certain pat-tits were indicted for stealing two ducks; but as it came out io evidence that tbey Jtfii tho two ducks before they stole them, Mr. Justica Littlebafe directed the iurv to find them not g iilty, on the ground (bat in legal censtructioti the words 'two ducks must be taken to meao two lite dacks, whereas it was proved that these ducks were dead; and the parties wera found not guilty accordingly. Quety: fa not & duck a duckr and if not, what is it? We copy the following from the Sussex, N. J. Register. I undertake to maintain that animal heat originates from food, and is produced to active heat in the heart, and not in the lungs, as physiologists have cooterdetL JOHN CLEVES SYMMES,

Newton, Aug. 2C. I827