Republican Herald

TO THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD :

Sir :—The following advertisement which I cut from the Providence Daily Journal of June 2d. 1835, I am aware has appeared already in your paper, nevertheless you will oblige some of your readers at least, by giving it a second insertion.

ADVERTISEMENT

As it is said of all questions, that they have two sides, so it may be said of all political events, that they have two, at least; one is the outside, the surface—the other is the inside, where cause and effect may be seen sitting together in a very familiar state of intimacy. On the outside of such events, every careless and passing eye can see the dimensions and color; but to lay open and disclose all within, requires some labor. For as all things are not what they appear to be, there may be difficulty in making some of them appear what they really are.

The Senatorial question in Rhode-Island is one of those political events, and the people of this State, who have a deep interest in it, are entitled to see both sides of it. The outside they have seen, and it is believed they have some curiosity to see the other. The time is coming when that curiosity must be gratified. It is therefore proposed to publish, by subscription, a true history of that question; and for that purpose, proposals and a prospectus will be published on the 4th day of July, 1835, by

MORDECAI

You have already inquired, "who is MORDECAI?" Public report, I apprehend correctly for once, replies, HON. TRISTAM BURGES; one of our late Representatives in Congress.

From the language used in the above Advertisement, the inference is too plain and forcible to be either mistaken, or resisted, that Mr. Burges, admitting him to have been the writer, was well acquainted with the fact that there had been intrigue and corruption made use of in the federal ranks, relative to the late election of a Senator to Congress. And the promise which has not been performed, was, to expose the management by which he was so unceremoniously laid aside, to make room for another. That party has been loud in its applause of Mr. Burges, and twice, to open his purse, and enlist his efforts in their cause, has he been promised the election to a seat in the United States Senate; and yet, both times, proving recreant to every principle of good faith, have they basely deserted him, and finally, by the unanimous vote of their Representatives, made use of the power he had put into their hands, the election of him in June; and that Mr. Knight would resign in his favor. But, I believe this a mere ruse to get rid of him. I believe I am correct in saying that a certain Representative was entrusted with Mr. Knight's resignation in June; but that it was not to be tendered to the Legislature, unless either Mr. — or Mr. — and not Mr. Burges, could be elected. It was found that neither of them could be, and the letter of resignation was not presented. Under these circumstances, I think, perhaps my impression may not be correct, that Mr. Burges is now engaged in advocating the law permitting freemen to vote on certificates for Representatives to Congress, and the General Assembly. Perhaps he may have been assured that the passage of this law will carry into the House of Representatives a sufficient number of federalists to secure his election to the Senate. If so, and if he acts upon this assurance, he has been egregiously deceived. The wire-workers, and scene shifters, in this farcical series of political legerdemain, have no such desire. Should the project succeed, Mr. Burges will be farther than ever from the dignity to which he aspires; and he will find, to his mortification and chagrin, that he has merely converted himself into a stepping stone, for the use and convenience of some more expert magician. By way of compromise with his friends, they may exert themselves to elect him Representative to Congress, if they can, but this they would not do if they could avoid it, or had a candidate whom they could run with better prospect of success. But, mind this—Mr. Burges will never be elected Senator to Congress, so long as a majority of his pretended friends can prevent it, or so long as a possibility exists of electing one of two other persons.

Is it possible that this same Mr. Burges— "MORDECAI"—is the boasted champion of Rhode-Island on the floor of Congress! Has he not changed, or lost his identity! Or can he, who is said to possess so much firmness when arrayed against a fearful mass of talent and greatness, tremble, and cower, and crouch to the earth, under the threats, the promises, or the flatteries of a few comparatively pigmy demagogues, at home! He has promised to tell the world the baseness and treachery he has met with at the hands of his friends! Was he so childish as to make that promise in a pet—in a moment of irritation? How derogatory would that be to the greatness which has been ascribed to him. Did he make it deliberately and advisedly?—and has he been driven from his ground? What mighty panic has unnerved the boasted Demosthenes of Rhode-Island, and converted him to a doll—a plaything, in the hands of those who wish to use him? We should blush for human greatness, were we certain that either of these suggestions were correct. If neither be so, why is not the promise redeemed? Without an explanation, can Mr. Burges reasonably calculate on receiving the votes of honest men, to re-elect him. I repeat another of your questions, Sir—Where is MORDECAI?

Z.