Vandalia Whig and Illinois intelligencer. [volume] (Vandalia, Ill.) 1832-183?, 1834-06-26


not lost all taste for the social charities
Iif the sanctuary of private intercourse
and private correspondence is to be in
vaded at pleasure, and every letter. an
swered OF unanswered, which NAV have
lneen written by All individual who ha,
the misfortune to be "A member of con-
Igress, (for great misfortune under such
circumstance it would be) is subject to
tie brought up by the drag net Of gen.
eral search. II was declared hv Mr..
Cunning. in the famous case Of Money
and others against Leach, that ssto ran
sack private studies, in order 10 search
for evidence, and even without pre-
vious charge on oath, is contrary to natn-
raj justice, as well as to the liberty of
the subject. To search mans private
papers, ad libitum. and even without ac-
cusation, is an Infringement Of the natu>
raj rights Of mankind" g Bur. 1887
1t was not the least detestable Of the
cruel violations of justice and law
which brought Sidney to the block. that
he persisted in consequence Of the dis
covery of manuscript political treat.
Use, brought to light by a general search
among the papers in his cabinet.
The undersigned perceive no more
right IN committee of This house TO
Icall for the letters which may have been
written by a member Of congress TO an
Fofficer of the bank, on the subject Of a
renewal Of the charter, than to call for
his letters to any person on any other
subject. Undoubtedly it is conceivable
that such letter might become legal
evidence, in a process of attachment. for
breach Of privilege, and in that case
might be called for and used. So might
any letter in any criminal cause. II is
conceivable that mans letter 10 his
wife OF child might become legal evil
dence ina capital trial; and in that case
1t It were in the possession Of third
person, the court would compel its pro-
AUCTION. But the undersigned are of
opinion that a general warrant to com
pei the production Of all the letters
which may have been written by class
OF individuals for two years, in order to
a search of the same, with view to the
institution of a criminal prosecution
against the writers, or receivers, is now
'or the first time attempted TO be made,
in virtue of the authority Of parlia.
mentary body.
1t is one Of the infrmities of our ma
ture, that in the ardent pursuit of ends.
which, as individuals or members of a
party, we think justifable, we some
times go far beyond the line of Justice.
as we should understand it in our own
case. 10 those who, in the ardor Of a
protracted controversy, have become
wrought up to the belief that the bank
and all its officers are one great engine
pf corruption, and those who have de
tended its chartered rights and main
tanned its usefulness in an out of con-
gress, a band of mercenary stipendiaries
It may seem very just and proper de-
mand that the confidence of their pri-
vate intercourse should be violated. their
business transactions stiematized with
corruption before the world, and their
private correspondence spread on the
journals Of committee Of the house.
and. at their discretion, sent to the news
papers. But if, pausing moment in
the career Of patty. they will make the
case their own; suppose themselves al
the mercy Of those now in the minority.
welding against them the entire author
ity Of the house, sending its committees
to unlock their closets, and requiring the
production of every letter they ma,
have written on public affairs for years.
they will probably form new concep-
ton Of the light in which the calls now
under consideration are regarded by
those against whom they were aimed, III
any such there be.
The undersigned would make re-
Election somewhat similar. in reference
to the rail- for the amount Of fees paid
TO counsel for legal advice given to the
bank. and the accommodations received
at the bank by editors and publishers
ofnewspapers and periodical works. I'LL
will not be denied that there is an impu
taiinn Of corruption in calls like these
for i cannot he pretended that. merely
las part Of the business transactions of
the bank. the sums which would fall IN
der these heads. in anv estimate. how
ever extravagant. Of their amount could
he Of any interest to congress. WHY.
then. are they singled out? There is,