Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1824-08-03

mr.. E37yards' Resignation. No
thing can more strongly show the de-
stair Of Mr.. Crawlord's friends or their
Consciousness Of tile in,possiblijy Of
removing from bis official conduct, the
censures which must attach to it from
the result Of the recent investigation,
than their attempt to convert the resig-
nation of MIR. Edwards into frinmhh.
From The moment that the memorial Of
Mr.. Edwards, in reply to the sly, nsidi-
Gus, and unproyok ed attack upon his We
racity by Mr.. Crawford, was presented
10 the House Of Represent a,ives, the
presses in the interest Of the Secretary
oil the Treasury, have ,cemed with fab
rications tending 10 show that Mr.. Ed
wards was Indebted for the confirmation
OF his appointment to Mexico, 10 d.
rect denial OF the authorship of the A.
d letters, and to "a base and pussilani
inous rctracton of all his uBtavorablc
opinions oil Mr.. Crawford ! 1t was said
that, while his nomination was sushend-
cd in the Senate, on the Suggestion OF
Mr. Benton, that he had something to
alege against It's confirmation, Mr.. Ed
wards sought an. interview with Mr.. No
bic, the intimate and confidential friend
and adviser OF the Secretary of the Trea-
sury, and meanly endcavoured 10 propi-
tate bis favor, and that of the other
friends Of Mr.. Crawford in the Senate,
by speaking OF Mr.. Crawford in the
terms of the hishcs, culogy. 1t was
further said, that 1t was in consequence
Of those repeated declarations on The
part of Mr. Edwards, evincing the mos
exalted opinion of, and the most friendly
disposition towards, Mr.. Crawford, thai
Mr.. Noble and the other par,issns Of
Mr.. Crawford in the Senate, withdrew
their opposition to Mr. Edwards and no,
only voted for, but strongly advocated
The confirmation OF, his appointment.
But, wba is beyond all other things cx-
traordinsry and difficult of solution, is,
that these things have not only been
said of Mr.. Edwards in the Crawford
Presses, but have been szporn to by Mr..
Noble, before the Committee OF Investi-
gallon! Ii is delicate and disagreeable
thing, to animadyert upon the testimony
OF q gentleman holding SO high and hon
durable place as that OF Senator ofthe
United Stairs; but our regard for truth,
our sense Of justice to an injured aud
prosecuted, but high-mindcd, iDdepcn-
dent aud honorable individual, forbid US
to be silent We can no otherwise &C.
count for the testimony OF Mr.. Noble,
than from the supposiiion that he had
seen the same things so often and SO
boldly asserted in the Papers We have
1 alluded 10, that his mind gradually adj
i mtted The impression OF their trutn
I We cannot for moment entertain the
4 suspicion, that he wlliully and conscious.
I iy dcposed to that which he did not al
The time 6eheve to be true; and firmly
as we repose IN the honor and veracily
OF Mr.. Edwards, we should be slow to
doubt the oath OF Mr.. Noble, had we no,
the most unquestionable proof that hi,
statement was founded in error ofd nes.
| AT the time Mr.. Mobiles evidence was
given, unfortunately MIR. Edwards had
nothing to offer in opposition but his
| OWL COuiltCT-dSSCTtlOtiSf CODuIuCu Wy
strong and almost irresistible circum-
stance. But what could any circum-
stance weigh, in minds Of men determin-
ed to believe the worst of Mr. Edwards,
against the hosifive oath of an honorable
Senator Mr.. Edwards was compelled
to submit 10 the imputa.ion thrown upon
his veracity, and patiently await the de-
veiopmcnt Of the truth. In this situa-
ton proper sense Of his own dignity, a
due regard to his own honor, required
that he should resign his appointment.
1T had been said and sworn, that he oaued
the appointment to cowardIy surrehder
of his principles and sentiments in rcla-
tion to Mr.. Crawford Sit was impossi-
bic 10 give more convincing proof Of
the malicious falsehood of this charge,
thao by refusing to hold the appoint
ment, under such an imputation. With
out rssigning he could not have remain
ed here, as he has done to the dismay Of
MIR. Crawford's friends, and he could
have had no opportunity Of proving, as