Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-06-08
RICHMOND:
TUESDAY MORNING, JUNE o, 1921.
MIR. EDWARDS.

4
| We publish from the National Intellgcncer ano
'her communication of Ninian Edwards. It's oh
ject to solicit from the Editors of that poer cor
rcetion ci an into which they had fallen, as e
the period which MIR. Edwards rcmuinci, in Wash.
ihston, after the appearance of Mr. Crawford's Re
pert, which he charges as the immediate cause o.
Ills Address is the House of Representatives. Ws
90 not consider this Circumstance very material
and as we have published Mr. Edwards letter y,
length, we submit it, without comment to- The dis
elimination of The pubic.
hir Edwards reiterates the declaration OF hi, a.
ofy to sustain all the charges which nc has prefer
req against the Secretary of the Treasury-and ne
fciterate our fem conviction, that ho has "copclu-
siSe evidence In do it, He speaks of documents,
&c which he has been fortunate enough to proc
cure which pats it iii his power to make full and
triumphant defence" We conjecture that this de-
renee viii only embrace the charges in reference to
the Western Banks--the negro business and Cen
Mitchell, we presume, are not comprchcnded In the
particulars Of this defence.
Whatever the general character Of Mr. Edwards,
may bc-whatcvcr may have been his motives for
cmbarhing In this attack and Investigation -whe-
thcr they We're dictated by Of official duty
or by the less worthy stmuar, Of yinJic,ivc feel
insali will agree that he is entitled to fair hear
ing and impartial decision, on nc merits Of his qc-
c"sdft0as II lie substantia,rs his charges, an en-
liSi,iened public will decide what impression such
result ought to produce on the individual and no.
litcal standing Of Mr. Crawford--and the sam. tr;
bnnal will voluntarily rclinqui3h tlc in;iigua ZION
y.ilis Z l,oa
department OF the accuscr. If these charges are
tened on MIR. Crawford 5 VIC believe .hry will! BE-,
some valuuh!c object which, he had ii view SONG
plausible motive must DC pointed out, which intaced
him to bcray abuse his Official trust d to dany
ha truth OF Edwards allegations afterwards. Tn
tn tins Is done, it to that guilt of deem
Ell die, than an error in judgment, or Il dcitct c!
memory can be Inferred fiom the truth OF the char
yes.
Whilst trui, and mpar,iality inpcl us to allow
thus much, we cannot acknowledge the force of that
reasoning, which would derive f:om Edwards fail
urc TO support his charges, additional strength To
Mr.. Csawford's claims on the Presidency. If Mr..
cfawiord rciutes these charges he succeeds in cast
ing from him the mputations which they have
thrown over MS iainc--but nothing more. lie does
no service To The country by it--nor are his talents
his qualifications, his principles, placed in a Bit
more unauestionablc light. The Sun Ito compare
small things with greatly when he emerges from a
cloud, shines with no efulgence, or iInparts a
more genial warmth, than before he hid his ace un-
der it. The who is accused Of horse theft GER
family occupies no higher ground after an acauit,al
than beiorc--thoush that acquittal may have be II
M ,t.I l,vfl
and Jury of his innoccnce. Mr.. Crawford will es-
cape better than most prize-fighers, If he comes off
without scratch-his friends are uurea soma bic IN
expect or to ask more
We were aware from the first, that an ate,npt
would be made 10 turn this incident to Mr. Craw-
lords advantage by his friends-and we have la
borcd to divest of those artificial coioriDgs which
were expected to excite the sympathy of the public
We think better of Mr.. Crawford than to imagine
he requires such assistancc-and we have greatly
mistaken his spirit if such efforts will lie at all ac-
ceptable to him.