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Rural Cabinet.
VOL. 11.
TOE CABINET
Is published every Saturday by P. L.
ROBINSON, Warrenton, Oeo. at
*hree dollars per annum, which may be
‘scharged by two dollars and fifty
, - ‘\ts if paid within sixty days of the
ti eof subscribing.
Far (iovi-rnoi.
JOEL CRAWFORD.
For Congress.
HENRY G. LAMAR.
FROM THE JOURNAL.
An unfeigned and enlightened devotion
to the public welfare constitutes the only
just claim of any party to political ascen
dency; and unity of action is the only
means, by which such ascendency can be
either required, or mantained. A good
citizen, before he attaches himself to a
party, should be thoroughly convinced of
the rectitude and wisdom of his p rposes
and when so convinced he should impart
to it all the aid in his power noi involving
ab< each ot mortality or a compromise
of honor. Above all things, he should
discountenance every movement which
might endanger the stability of the
party, and pos-*bly prostrate it at the teet
of its adversaries. And this obligation is
no les imperative when such movement
originates from honest but misguided feel
ing. than when it results from grovelling
cupidity or restless ambition. Can th~
republi- an party in this state, now known
as the Troup party truly say, that their
claim to political ascendenry is f *unded in
“an unfeigned and eilightened devotion
to the public weal? ’ I believe they can.
Reviewing the ground which they have
traversed; lo king back upon their past
struggles and their past triumphs; and
frankly admitting that th * traces of occa
siohal passion, and infirmity of judgement
are diiernable in their course, ueverthe
less, declare with perfect sincerity, that
the puolic good has been their aim and
with honest pride refer to the history of
their sway for signal proofs of the correct
ness of their prin iples, the genuineness
of their patriotism, and the wisdom of
their measures. It is not my purpose to
enter into detail upon this head. It
would be superfluous. A simple refer
ence to the vi tual war waged by the late
administration of the general government
against th© sovereignty, the dignity, and
the territorial rights of the state, will be
sufficient to recall to the mind of ev
ery one, the noble energv, the patriotic
ardour, and the unblenching firmness
evinced by the party, upon ‘hat memora
ble occasion. Is there a member of that
party, in whom retrospect of that contest
does not re-excite mingled ernmotions of
indignation gratude and pride? Indigna
tion against the wrongdoers; gratitude to
official agents who breasted the storm, and
bore the brunt of the conflict; and pride
in having contributed to the triumph of
justice over attempted oppression, of con
stitutional right over unconstitutional
psiver? Is there one who participated in
that struggle, and gloried in the victory,
that can now with cold inditference con
template the overthrow of the party by
whom that victory was achieved? Can
there be one so and generate and corrupt,
as cooly to calculate the possible advan
tage to himself ft om a demolution of the
party, ami ba-ely to conform his condu t
to the results of his tratoroua arithmetic?
If there can be one such,
“May life's unblest cup for him,
“Be filled with treacheries to the brim.”
He should be driven with scorn and con
tempt from the communion ofhonest men,
and left to seek congenial brotherhood
with the midnight incendiary, who fires a
city that he may enrich himself with its
treasures, amidst the confusion and dis
may of its inhabitants.
If the Troup party have not become
what its enemies assert it to be, an unsafe
and worthless depository of political pow
er, it should not be destroyed, and 1 ain
one among those who regard its predom
inance (so long as it shall continue faithful
to its principles) as-decidedly favourable
to the best interest of the State. If it be
Warrenton, September 26, 1821).
Hue, (ns it has been conjectured) that
there are connected with it, a few would
be political architects, who are desuous to
null down the present fabric of the p,rt\
and to reconstruct another, edifice oetter
suited to their tastes, with spacious a
partments for their own exclusive accoin
modatmn, l claim no fraternity with them
and trust they may be doomed “to make
bracks without strawfi* and to build with
out mortar. But how is the ascendency
of the Troup party to be maintained? The
answer is obvious.—By the same means
which originally gave it strength to sub
due its enemies, and to establish its-pow
er. By unity of action; by harmony a
mong its meimiers, by avoiding dangerous
rivalries among its prominent leaders; in
short, by the sacrifice of private feeling
and individual interest, upon the altar of
the public good. It is a truism,sustained
by all historic examples, (and which I
fear may be still further illustrated by the
impending fate of the Troup party itself,)
that internal feuds are the chief causes of
the overthrow of parties. But it seems
‘hat a period has arrived when the moni
tions of history and the lessons of experi
ence, are no longer to be heeded. I can
not but look upon Mr. Gilmer’s opposi
tion to Mr. Crawford, as a source of great
peril to the party of v Inch they are both
members, and both ornaments. I there
fore regret that he yielded to the impor
tunities which have involved him in the
competition Candid and ingenuous an
jswerstn two si pie questions will display
| the impolicy of the rivalry. Could any
possible detriment to the Troup party, or
to the State, have ensued from the unop
posed election of Mr. Crawford to the
Executive chair? Most assuredly not.
But on the other hand, may not jealousies
and heart-burnings, dangerous to the ex
istence, and certainly destructive of the
quiet and harmony of the party, spring
from the unfortunate collision? Tiu h
must answer in *he affirmative Then,
as no reason connected wi'h the interests
of the party, or of the State, forbade his
election, and as there was at least a possi
bility, yea, a great probability f mischief
from opposition, was it not imprudent to
op n that inlet of evil? But it appears
that this view of the subject was not ta
ken by those who were most active ana
prominent in soliciting Mr. Gilmer to
come forward a- a candidate.—With them
prudential considerations yielded to the
superior forcit of motives unknown to the
writer; possibly merely to the influence
of their partialities for, and personal pre
ference of Mr. Gilmer. However, by so
earnestly desiring him to enter into a
competition for the Executive chair, they
seem to have supposed that it would not
be well for Georgia to commit its Execu
tive authority into the hands ot one of the
best qualified and most unexceptionable
citizens in the State; one who had already
been announced as a candidate; one who
is united with them in the same political
faith, and whom public opinion had desig
nated for the office, no less decisively than
it had designated Mr. Gilmer for another
station, which he had already honorably
filled, and which he himself preferred to
any in the gift of the public. What un
lucky traits in the character of Mr. Craw
ford, as a man, or a politician, subjected
him to their ban, I have known him long
and thoroughly, and can conscientiously
say, that so far from having discovered
any thing in him which could tend to ex
cite the repugnance of honorable men, or
honest politicians, 1 have found in him
every quality necessary to command the
respect, and to conciliate the esteem of
the intelligent, the just, and the good,
Who is Joel Crawford? He i9 the eon of
one who was an active and efficient revo
lutionary wh g. He is a nati’ e Georgian,
indued with every generous and patriotic
feeling that can bind a man to the land of
his birth. Asa gentleman, his character
is so irreproachable and praise-worthy,
that even malice and envy are at a loss tor
“rounds of cavil. He is endowed by na
ture with a strong and vigorous intellect
—improved by an early and solid educa
tion, and expanded and matured by exten
sive reading, and habitual reflection. As
; a lawyer be thoroughly versed id the |
principles of jurisprudence, and is not to
use the language of Cicero, merely *Cau
us e\ acutus proocco actihnuni cantor
fjrmularum aucepts syllabarum .’ Whilst
oe remained at th bar he ranked with the
foremost cla-s of his professional brethren
and notwithstanding he disdained what
Lord Boling© oke justly stigmatises as ‘a
mean bur gainful application to all the
little arts of chicane,’he obtained a profit
able practice, t lat secui cd him indepen
dence, undishonored by mean*,, ss, extor
tion or fraud. \t the bar he was n*d an
impassioned advocate, but a close, metho
dical, and cog nt reasoner. Me never
attempted by bighwrought appeals to the
passions, to rule like a wizzard the world
of the h art but himself direct
ly and forcibly to the understanding. His
professional elocution, was free Iroin rant
and vociferation, (which are often accepted
for eloquence by the misjudging crowd,)
but wag temperate and dignified, and dis
tinguish'd by a grammatical accuracy and
a purity of language which were ever tlis
played in an equal degree by his compeers
in the circuit where he practiod. Asa
politician, he nas ever been a consistent
and unwavering republican. He hag at
all times enjoyed the respect and confi
dence of his fellow citizens by which he
has been twice honored with a seat in
Congress as one of their representatives,
and in that capacity left no duty undis
charged. In the State Legislature he
was a faithful guardian of the interest of
the Slate, and an efficient originator and
supporter of measures calculated to devel
ope the lesources to improve the condition
and to exalt the chaiacter of the State.
He is the persoal and political fiend ol
r ’ol. Troup, and enjoys ihe high esteem
of that distinguished statesman, and ol
other* eminent men, who reflect honor
upon their country. He docs not belong
to that class of fire side patriots, who deem
their personal safety of so much conse
quence to the public as to prevent them
from uTicountermg the fatiegues of a
campaign, or the perils of a buttle. NoJ
In the hour of his country's need he was
found in arms, risking his life in the bat
tle field. He is not, and will not be
forgotton by those who fought with him at
Auto-see and Calebee. In every social
c/vt', private, and public relation ot iife
he has maintaned an unsullied, dignified
and lofty chaiacter —pursueing ‘noble
ends by noble means ’and disdaiuing *to
stoop’ even ‘to conquer.* Such is a nastj
sketchof Joel Crawford, and no one who
is acquainted with the < rig nal and has
any regard for truih, wit de >y the accu
racy of the delineation. —Aud is it possible
that the elevation of uch a man to the
Executive chair can be contemplated with
dissatisfaction? Can it be possible that
his exclusion f om tnat station is a matter
of so much moment thatjihe l’roup party
must be thrown mto confusion, and its
hitherto compact phalanx disparted, per
haps, though I must sincerely hope not,
never again to be reunited? ltuly if such
a man as Mr. Crawford is in any respect
unworthy of the trust which he is a can
didate, the state of Georgia must have
attained a degree of sublimated perfection
which would cast in the deepest shade of
Utopia of More, the Oceans of Harrington
or the republic if Plato; and Mr. Gilmer,
talented, upright, and honorable, as I
know him to be, must despair of meriting
the honorable post which he is seeking.
One of the writers in favour of Mr. G.
has remarked that “whatever may be the
result of the election, or the consequen
ces growing out of it, I may safely affirm
that it is not the design or intention ol
Mr. Gilmer or his friends to do the 1 roup
party any present or futuie injury.
For my part 1 readily acquit Mr. Gilmer
of a (purpose so dinhoi orable. Having
zealously contributed to establish the as
cendency of the party, and being indebted
for his past political success to a generou*
appreciation of his merits, by the party,
he 1 am confident could never intention
ally aim a paricidal blow at its existence.
And his true friends I believe to be no
less guiltless of such a design than himself.
The mass of bis supporters, of the l roup
party, are doubtless actuated by motives
iaa pure as any that govern those of the
same j.artv, who under existing circum
stances, deem it a duty to withhold from
him th-ir sufferages. But will th** evils
which must unavoidably flow from the
conte-t, be the less pernicious and deplo*
rnble, because they are undesigned?
When a man has received a mortal
wound from the hand of an incautious
friend, the tact the injury was tininten
!• may lessen the poignancy of that
friend s self reproa h, but it cannot re
lieve the pangs of the dying victim, or
turn back th* ebbing tide of life. If the
Troup party b’ destined to fall in conse
quence of an act cf one of its ffinst highly
favored members, the following beautiful
image will not be inapplicable to its fate.
“So the struck eagle stretched upon the
plain,
No more through rolling clouds to soar
agmn
Viewed his oivnfeather on th* fatal dart,
And wing'd the shaft that quivered in his
heart.
Keen were his pang“ but k**ner far to feel
He nursed the pinion that impelled the steel
While (he .me piumage tLat had wa rned
his nest
Drank the last life drop of his bleeding
breast.”
Although a design or wish to disorgan
ize the Loup paity cannot justly im
puted to Mi. Gilmer or his real
can it be said tl at tnere is no one (con
nected with the parG; alid profess,ng ( o
be a fr end of Mr Gilmer) whoji. joius n
the contest, and is anxiously looking for.
waid to a period when his ambitiois
schemes may bn accomplished by anew
combination of the elements of party?
Future events will answer the question.
i will here remark that in tendering
bare justice to Mr Crawford I have had
no mt< mum nor *he slightest wish to dig-*
pararge Mr. Gilmer. Although I deem
his opposition to Mr. Crawford impolitic
and much to be lamented, 1 nevertheless
highly appreciate his substantial worth as
a man and a public servant. Asa friend
to Mr Crawl id 1 feel too an honest pride
in the belief that upon this occasion, toe
despicable trick ot detracting from the
merit one mao to mag. ify the desert of
another woU'd be superfluous. In every
attribute necessary to fit a man for the
nigh station of Governor. Mr. Crawford
is the * qual of Mr. Gilmer. In reference
to Mr Giiuiei or any other man, I hope
i snail ever scorn to imrat* thesy-item
of illiberal apprecia'ion which s ‘me of Mr,
Crawfords implacable and personal ene.
mies und r the disguise ol fictitious signa
tures have pursued towards him.
FIAT JUSiI HA.
FROM THE RF.OORER.
TO THE HON. GEOdGE K GILMER.
it is with feelings of the deepe.*,! re
gret, that I notice your name announced
as a candidate for the Chief Magistracy of
his State. To this dignified office you
have claims—you possess talents that
would enable you to manage the diversifi
ed concerns of thi fc government with honor
to yourself and entire satisfaction to the
people —But, sir, wbat are you about to
do? you are about to create a schism in the
dominant party in the State. —Yes* that
party which you have contributed by
talents and moral woith to preserve; that
party which has raised you to the envia
ble and dignified standing which vuu now
oct upy io this community—You are about
to sever the ties ot family and kridredj
you are about to array the father against
me son, and the eon against the father/
you are about to lacerate wounds which
are not yet cicatrized; and sir, you are
about to plunge the party to which you
are attached into irretrievable rum arid
confusion. I beseech you to ponder; £
entreat you to pause and reflect. Reflect
before mischief ensue, which will be rein
ecities . Ihe friends and relati of
viaj. Crawford have been your most ar
dent ami devoted frienas; they have aid
ed in no small degree to elevate you to
that high standing which you held in the
affections of the people of Georgia. 1 ash
you, can you, or will you dissolve th ties
of affection. lam persuaded you will not.
1 appeal to the manly and magoamJ3
No. 16.