The Virginian

And now, when Albert Gallatin is appointed Envoy to England, the same exclamation is heard from those who have thought proper to break silence; with the addition that it has been attended with success! It is whispered, that Mr. Gallatin has become weary with the dull simplicity of republican life, and the character of an American citizen; and that he wishes to dissipate the remainder of his days in the more congenial atmosphere of royal splendor! So at least, says the "Washington Telegraph". We think it would become the friends of Mr. Gallatin, who were so anxious to see him Vice President, to run a tilt in his defense. Why are they silent, when he is thus defamed? Are they afraid of breaking asunder prematurely the chords which bind their ill-assorted combination together? If John Thompson were alive, he would hurl his indignation at such criminal lukewarmness, when he saw his favorite thus withering under the breath of calumny, without a voice being raised in his defense, by any of those, who, eighteen months ago, were "applauding him to the very echo which applauds again." He do not believe that the administration has attempted to buy the support of any individual. We believe that when it has offered offices to its opponents, it has been done in sole reference to the supposed fitness of the individuals, and in opposition to that unjust and narrow spirit of proscription and intolerance, which, like bigotry in religion, confines all virtue within the pale of certain prescribed boundaries—making one's own opinions the standard of right, and viewing as hopeless heretics, all who dissent therefrom.—But if the administration is to be charged with favoritism, when it appoints its friends to offices, and with corruption when it tenders them to its opponents, what hope has it for a just appreciation of its conduct? Is such a course candid or fair? Is it in accordance with the recommendation of Mr. Crawford, and in which his friends pretended to acquiesce—“Let the administration be judged by its measures?” The people, we hope, are too enlightened and too liberal to lend their sanction to the system of unvarying denunciation which seems to be the order of the day. They will examine and judge for themselves.

To the Editor of the "New England Galaxy," who thought proper to go out of his way to attack us, we would merely observe, that it would be correct, in such cases, to send us his paper. It smacks of the assassin to aim a blow at another, and not give the assailed an opportunity of seeing whence it proceeded. We met with the "Galaxy" by accident, and care not for what it says, and shall certainly not say a word in reply to its remark; being merely a reiteration of the stale and ludicrous charge that we are printers of the laws "by authority," and consequently bound to support the administration. Every printer knows that the sum received for publishing the laws, is not a sufficient remuneration for the mechanical labor bestowed on them. The sage gentry, therefore, who have learnt, like parrots, to say "By Authority," will not, surely contend that the administration is so unjust as to require double labor for the hundred dollars which they pay the publishers of the laws! To be sure, they have some reason for inferring corruption, on account of the very magnificent sum received by the printers! One hundred dollars per annum! Why, with a little mixture of lead and antimony, half a dozen printers might live quite splendidly on this sum, and if Mr. Randolph don't contrive to reduce it next session, he will fail to do his duty, and shall be sent over to England for life! We hope this sentence will be duly ratified by all who are not printers by any other "authority" than their own wills, and the patronage of their subscribers, of whom, our "cousin Buckingham," of the Galaxy, stands highest in our love!