The Hawk-eye and Iowa patriot. (Burlington, Iowa) 1839-1843, 1840-09-24
MIR DODGE.

We find the last Gazette Astounding in such
adulatory expressions as the following
''Gen. Dodge's character is so pure and his
standing so fair" &c.
''l1is pure character-his generous nature
his high and honorable bearing &c.
All this does not prove Mr. Dodge to be purer
or more immaculate than the generality of men.
lhe Rev. DR. Dodd was considered very pure
and upright man, but he was nevertheless tried,
convicted and executed IN England for forgery.
We do not compare Mr. Dodge to DR. Dodd, by
no means, but we mention the case that all may
see that false opinions may often be formed Of
men, and that pure and immaculate as the con-
ductors of the Gazette seem to think Mr. Dodge
to be, we do not consider his character, under
the circumstances, above investigation or sus
pcion. 1t is known that the Land Officer
charged was particular friend Of Mr. Dodge
that he obtained his Office through the influence
Of Gov. Dodge-that Bequette is brother.in.law
to Dodge and that both these last named gentle.
men have been charged with conniving togeth.
or for the purpose of shielding their mutual
friend from disgrace. All these charges have
been made over the bona fde signature of an in.
dividual who for aught we know is as worthy OF
credence as any other person and he has backed
his statement by furnishing number Of certif.
Gates from respectable citizens of Wisconsin.
The Gazette, in true loco foco style, would
put ban upon the thoughts Of this community
and utters terrible denunciations and defcs any
one who DARE BELIEVE that Gen. Dodge is
guilty! This is kind of democratic censorship
over man s belief that we have not been &c.
customed to- Isit one of Brownsoh's new doc
trines7 We thought q man in this free country
could belieue what he pleased; but the Gazette
would deprive every one of this freedom. We
dare tell him that there number who be.
lieve thus-and what is more they do not feel
disposed to go to the confessional that he has
reared, in order to get absolution for such a
crime.
How could they believe otherwise7 A case has
been made out, and evidence has been introdu.
ced by McGoon to show that Mr. Dodge did
make out false certificate. Now, where and
what is the testimony offered to rebut this? Is
that testimony uninterested7
We now offer what Mr. Chapman has to sa
on the subject. He would have given fulle,
statement had it not been for sickness As j:
is, he was obliged to write the following on a
sick bed:
cannot say positively that A. C. Dodee's
name was to the Presentment, or that. If i,
was. he signed it. But can say, the Present
ment came to me, SO far as can recollect. in
the usual way of Presentmcnts in that Court
! The Foreman acts in double capacity-as
|. Foreman and as Juror. In the first, he re-
cords the decisions; in the second, he votes a.
/ Juror Presentments have frequently beer
handed in by the sheetfull, in simple cases Of
! assault and battery. &c But this case requir
ed more Of the details to enable me 10 draw tn,
Indictment, such as date, who was the person
| procured, or endeavorcd to be procured. /,
! swear falsely, &c. The copy of the Present
1 ment, as published in the Hawkeye, beIiey,
il to be correct. I was not acquainted with M
Dodgs's hand writing, and am not now Blu
| Dodge had full opportunity to DEM the Pre-
sentiment 4 am sure, as Iconuersed soith hin, an,
the other Grand Jurors upon the sub;ect. Loot
y borrow and kirkpatrick were considered mel
!, Of integrity. What became Of the Present
ment, know net; it was not returned to me
and think there was no further action on j
for lack Of jurors in some way
w. w. CHAPMAN. {
j We subjoin the following on the same sub
j ject from the Mineral Point Commonwealth.
j M'GooN AND THE GRAND JURY CERTIFICATE
John P. Sheldon, ID one Of his letter
! to the editor of the Milwaukee Sentinel