Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1824-08-10
From the United States Gazette.


Rehort 81 lie Committee Of Investi-
gahoa. - halever may be the exulta-
uons OF certain individuals, at the words
0t the report OF the Committee for inves
tgatlng the charges made by Mr.. Ed
wards against the Secretary of the Trea-
sury, We are certain tina, the candid por-
ton of the public are by no means sais-
fed With The white washing observations,
however unanimously they may have
been adopted---and the abuse that is now
heaped upon the head of Mr. Edwards,
Is proof that fears are justly entertain
cd, thai, overlooking what he may call
the injustice done 10 uln and the coun-
try, he will again erge his charges, and
again Ieopardize the hopes OF 3 harty's
candidate.
We have neither the leisure nor in
clination to follow with suitable remarks
he report, and its accompanying alb
s,ract OF documents there is however
enough in these papers to satisfy any
unpreIudced man, that the charges oil
Nj. Edwards were predicated on facts,
some oil which he may have Jailed in es-
tab lshing to the extent required, and
Others which he did ampiity and fully
MAKE oet, were huShed with the muRer
Of mistake.
l. Mr.. Edwards charged the Secrets-
ry WIN making any intentional miss,ale-
ment of money received or advanced,
the COMMITTEE having investigated the
circumstances, and finding the existence
OF such miscellaneous too evident to be
contradicted, dec lare tina, it was mis-
lake. THIS manner OF making report.
may have lis basis N charity, but i. Is, we
fear, that "charity thar hideth multi
tude OF SINS.
When Mr.. Edwards made his charges
against Mr.. Crawford, OF misslatements
OF amounts ct money, and suppression
Of certain papers when the whole cores
pondence had been demanded, the peo-
pie started at the cupidny OF the Am
bassador, who would dare make such i'm
putatlon, and looked with jealousy upon
the Secretary who stood arraigned al the
bar OF pubic opinion, for such positive
and 1agrant violation OF known duties
yet, when these charges are in general
tabiIshcd, and when committee Can
not avoid the conclusion that mIsstate-
menis were made, and correspondence
suppressed, t.ey meekly shield one with
the excuse OF a mistake, and Iusiny Tbs
other upon the plea ,hal he did not thlnb
that part OF the correspondence called
for, when the Whole had been demanded
We have nothing to ask for Mr.. Ed
wards; the people viii judge OF his IN
tent rs, and probably do him Justice
we are no friend OF the Ambassador, but
we believe that when a high public Off
cer--or more properly when an Amer-
can ciIlzen OF responsibility, protsers a
specific charge against public servant,
the people have right 10 lair eXamlna-
tion OF the circuns ances, and are enu-
tied to All un, arnished and unvarnishing
report. Nor is the accuser to be treat
ed like public criminal If he fail in con-.
quering prejudices, when he only appeal
ed to the understanding. There is, how
ever tribunal in public opinion, thar
may pronounce dlfferen, judgement in
this case, Mr.. Crawford may find it dan
gerous to sport with public sentiment.
Win the opinions that have gone forth
among the people that there was at leas,
much real ground for Mr.. Edwards
charge, what must they think, not only
OF the report OF the committee but Of the
language OF Mr.. Crawford's agents, to.
wares him who stood forth in his coun-
try's behalf, without a single word OF
censure upon Mr.. Edwards in the re-
port! The public is gravely and posi-
lively told that he was subjected to the
alternative Of either resigning his ap-
pointmen, as Ambassador, or being dis
missed with disgrace. We trust for the
credit OF our country that this was no,
the case; ifthe accuser is to be treated
worse than the cri,ninal-or if ambitious
views OF partlzans are to shield an Often
der from punishment, wha, is to prevent
any and every public Office from beco-
ming the arena OF gross corruption
and speculation and who now will step
between the rights ofthe people, and the