The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-09-18


9th Congress in relation to Fiscal Agent" for
what il is worth, wishing however, to be under
stood as endorsing its practicability or soundness
MR.. EWING AND HIS DEFENDERS.
The National Intelligencer of yesterday copies
the following remarks Of the New York Com
merca Advertiser because they are in gen
eral accordance with our own views of the sub.
ject to which they refer"
But, taking ii for granted tina, Mr.. EwNo has
been careful in the array Of his facts, and that they
cannot be controverted, no was compelled to resign
his office Just appreciation Of selfrespect left him
no other course; while proper regard to the public
feeling required disclosure Of the facts and circum-
stances demanding that resignation. He has stated
them plainly and fully and as to the propriey of the
he has taken there can be but one voice in the
nation"
1t is not little singular that Mr.. EwiNG was
several days in arriving at this 'just apprecia-
ton of selfrespect" And what was the pro-
cess2 Why, the President ''neyer consulted
me (Mr. EwlNo) on the subject Of the Veto
Message" That was the personal indignity"
Mr.. E. complains of as demanding that resig-
nation" Mr.. EWING gathered, it is true" he
says, from the Presidents conversation, that she
had strong purpose TO reject" the bill; "BuT,''
and here is the rub, ''nothing was said
like scttening or apology 10 me-" Mr.. Ew-
mos wounded honor, it seems, would have been
satisfied, and he (as is justly inferable) would
have remained in the Cabinet, il something
softening" had been " said" to him. Mr.. Ty-
LER, however did not deal in soft corn" OF
soft soap, but examined the bill in his own clio
set, and determined upon his action without
deeming it necessary or important to consult the
Head of the Treasury Department.
But the article quoted by the Intelligencer
takes it for granted that Mr. Ewing's facts can
not be controversial" and this is stated in other
papers We may give, in answer to this, the
language of the National InteIllgencer of 1911,
and say that the letter is ian underhand insdi-
GUS recurrence to circumstances in which he
cannot be chastised by contradiction, THE
FACTS being kno,on only TO the party attacked,
WHOSE OFFICIAL STATION roRBIDs REPLY even
for the refutaton of calumny."
''As to the propriety Of the course he Mr..
Ewing has taken there can be but one poice
in the nation" With the exception of the In
telligencer, we have heard but tone voice. here,
and that has been unmingled reprobation. We
are much mistaken if the voice of the nation
will not pronounce similar judgment upon it.
We should judge, however, by the columns
of the Philadelphia National Gazette, that the
ex-Secretary had fed 10 the city OF the Bank,
and taken his position under the shadow of its
wings to shelter himself from the pursuit Of his
odignant judges From the first reply -of the
Gazette to our review of his disclosure Of cabi-
net secrets, we are constrained to expect but a
poor and Intellectual defence. He challenges
contradiction Why, the very act itself throws
discredit upon the entire statement He placed
himself beyond the pale Of controversy with the
party attacked. The superstition, however, is,
that the truth reposes with those who protect
their honor from suspicion, by keeping faith and
maintaining the rules Of gentlemanly behavior.
But, the defence intimates that the President
himself divulged the confidential counsels Of the
Cabinet through filthy vessel" in "neigh-
boring city," We deny this fatty. But admit
ting it to be true, the ex Secretary then plants
himself on the level with the Herald" and
quotes the example of that paper, which he pro-
nounced "infamous," as a justification Of his
own conduct! If the ex-Secretary would re-
pose on that horn of hi. dilemma, we will not
disturb him.
Blu, as to the accuracy of Mr.. Ewing's
" facts which we are so trumphantly challeng
ed to controvert--we take it for granted that in
a controversy like this, where both sides cannot
be heard, if one important statement Of the as
sailing party can be shown to be untrue, the
general veraciy of the whole will suffer some
impeachment Well, Mr.. Ewing says in his
letter of resignation "The bill which | report
ed TO Congress with your appreciation at the com
mencement Of the session, had the clause relat-
ing to agencies and the power to deal in ex-
changes as strongly developed as the one you
have now rejected, and equally ,eithout the as
sent Of the States"
This is downright misstatement as the Tact
is exactly the reverse. The 10Th fundamental
rule in Mr.. Ewng's bill did contain the princi.
pie of the assent of the States. Itbegan in the fol
lowing language /" That the said corporation
shall establish competent office OF discount and
deposit in any State By the assent Of the Legis
lature of such State, whenever the director:
may think fit so to do; and when established
the Office shall not be Withdrawn without tn,