Phenix Gazette

In yesterday's Gazette, we recorded the deliberate and uncontrolled opinion of the Editor of the New York Evening Post, in reference to the insufficiency of Mr. Buchanan's statement as a corroboration of that of Gen Jackson. Mr. Coleman, or Field Marshal Coleman, as he is commonly called, is a man of acknowledged talents, and a veteran in the Editorial Corps, he had read the multifarious charges urged by C. Deverly, Duff Green, Geo. Kremer, Geo. McDuffie, Saml. D. Ingham, Maury the Editor of the Nashville Republican, and finally by Gen. Jackson himself, against Mr. Clay; he had read Mr. Clay's denial and speech, and the Hero's reply; and he had acknowledged that the question would be settled by Mr. Buchanan's statement, since all the accusers had agreed that he was the member of Congress who made the proposition bargain and corruption in behalf of Mr. Clay and his friends. When the statement appeared, Mr. Coleman read it with attention, and under the first impulses of honor and conscience, declared that A REGARD FOR TRUTH COMPELLED HIM TO CONFESS THAT IT came short of supporting Gen. Jackson's Allegations. He Is Mistaken, Says Mr. Coleman; THERE IS NO PROOF BEFORE THE PUBLIC, THAT MR. CLAY WAS PERSONALLY CONNECTED WITH ANY IMPROPER OVERTURE WHATEVER. On the following evening, however, he retracted his concessions by the annexed paragraph:

'I hasten to correct the first and very erroneous impressions that were made on our minds by the perusal of Mr. Buchanan's letter. We were led to a further and more critical examination of its contents, by the sensible, pertinent and acute remarks of a correspondent, as well as by the calumnious, abusive and unbecoming observations of the American of last evening.'

The truth is, that neither the correspondent nor the Editor of the American, had any influence over Mr. Coleman's mind. When he first published the statement he was under the impression that none of his coadjutors would again attempt to support slander: but the next mail carried him the modus operandi of Duff Green, and satisfied him that the Hero's followers were determined to maintain their position at all hazards. To retract was death; to go on could be no worse.

Notwithstanding this sudden tergiversation of one Combination Editor, we will venture to give the first impressions of another. The New York Statesman thus speaks of the matter:

'In another column, the reader will find the candid, and, as it appears to us, the conclusive statement of Mr. Buchanan, relative to the only conversation he had with Gen. Jackson on the subject in controversy. We say conclusive, because we think it successfully confronts and ought to put to rest the charge either direct or implied, that Mr. Clay by his own motion, or by his friends, acting under his authority, ever made a distinct proposition to make General Jackson President, on condition that Mr. Clay should be appointed Secretary of State. We are the more ready to say that Mr. Buchanan's letter is conclusive in regard to any direct application to Gen. Jackson whether he would make Mr. Clay Secretary, if Mr. Clay would make the General President, because, we honestly entertained doubts upon that subject, which, we are happy to say, Mr. Buchanan's letter has dissipated. It appears to us, that there is nothing to sustain such a charge, and therefore, that it should be at once, and forever, abandoned.'

We have yet to learn that these sentiments have been recalled; and we are bound to say, that the high character of the Editors of the Statesman forbids us to anticipate such an occurrence.

He who thinks more of the manner than of the matter of a speaker, will never profit by his words.