The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-05-06
THOMAS HART BENTON, AND THE ABB
STRACTED LETTERS

STRACTED LETTERS.
We do not write this article TO justify or con-
denim the appointment of Mr.. Churchill, Post
master at ST. Louis. Those who appointed
him need no justification. Nor do we design
to heap scurrlty on Mr.. Benton, for the act of
which he has been guilty but in deliberate
and dignifed manner, to expose the motives,
impulses and views which led TO the commits
sion of the crime. We term il crime, both in
an official and moral sense. And when crime is
committed, even if il were done by an angel,
the criminal should be punished and exposed,
not for the purpose of satisfying the vengeful
feelings of the wronged and aggrieved, but as an
example TO deter others from the commission of
like offences, and 10 warn all men in future to be-
ware Of the unprnciped offender.
Many months ago, il appears that the Wing
friends of Mr. Churchill recommended him for
the Office Of Postmaster at st. Louis. Several
letters were written by his friends, stating exp-
city his claims and his services. We do not
assert that we have authority TO say the Pres-
dent (who receives hundreds Of such letters
daily, and often hundreds recommending the
same MANI did not read the letters. We know
they were sent to the Post Office Department to
be filed with the application. Mr.. Granger
was then the Post Master General Nor have
we inquired whether his successor CATER his
own highD read the letters. Certain il is that
il would require twelve months for him to read
all the letters of similar nature filed by Mr.
Granger, and that the other duties of the office
ara cufficiant m HE att 81;
hours out of the twenty four. These are matters
having no bearing VIII atever on the turpilude of
the act which must forever brand with infamy
the name of the one committing it-provided it
shall appear TO the world that an unjustifable
and hishonorable deed has been committed. Ii
is true, Gov. Wicklife had personal know
ledge of the applicant. But this would go 10
strengthen the supposltlon that he did not read
the letters surreptitiousy obtained by Thomas
Hart Benton, and published by him.
But we will proceed more immediately to the
business in hand. The nomination Of MI
Churchill was sent to the Senate The head Of
the Senate Committee called upon the Postmas-
ter General Tor the papers on file recommend
ing the nominee. The following is the Post
master Generals reply complying with the re-
quest;
Copy-No l..
Posr OFFICE DEPARTMENT,
March 30, lS43.
DEAR Sir In compliance with your request In
behalf Of the Senate Committee, herewith send you
he papers file recommending Samuel b. Church
ill., as Postmaster at ST. Louis | may be permitted
10 say, personal knowledge of Mr. Churchill from
his infancy, juslifies me in recommending him to he
President as gentleman OF worth, Of strict honor,
capacity and fidelity.
Your obedient servant
G.. A. WlCKLIFFE. 4
Hon S, McRoBERrs is. Senate
We have said we do not know whether Gov
Wickffe had read the letters. We presume
not.
A few weeks afterwards, 10 our utter astonish
ment we beheld course and infamous assault on
the Administration in Western Journal signed
BY Tn. II. Benton, and followed by the publica-
ton Of the letters referred to-letters sent to the
Senate in secret session, from the proceedings
OF which the injunction OF secresy had not,
and has not been removed "A
We say we beheld this with utter astonish-
ment for history had taught Us hat such an act
was gross violation of Senatorial honor dig
nifty and law. History had shown US that Mr..
Pickering was censured by resolution OF the
Senate for the same ofence-for merely read
inc from his place document that belonged TO
the secret session. The resolution was intro
duced by Mr. CLAY There is no Mr.. Clay
now TO censure Mr. Benton. No-bu there is
Mr.. Clay to applaud him, and encourage his
criminal acts against the Administration
The astonlshment we felt at such an event
an event neiarlous as it was unexpected
was also felt by the country, and the matter was
seriously considered by the Executive branch of
the Government. No one could suspect that
Senator would dare, even if nature had endow-
ed him with 50 unfortunate a propensity, TO
copy, candestlnely, these letters, and md them
off for publication The writers of the letters
pies, with the permission to use them in this |
manner Then how could it occur Had the
Department been robbed To put an end to
this ncertitude, the President addressed let
ter to Gov. Wcklile, asking information on the
subject The Postmaster General was as gno-
rant as the President of the mod,ts absrahendi.
He therefore addressed the following letter 10
Mr.. McRobers:
Posr Office DEPARTMENT.,
May ID, 1912.
copy-No. 2.
Hon. Mr. McRoBERTs
Sa On the Both March last received from you
written commune lion, in which you requested me
on behafof the Senates Committee on Post Offices
TO send the papers on file recommending Samuel b,
Churchill to be appointed postmaster at st. Louis
With this requesrl promptly complied
These papers bearing upon the nomination of
public officer, the proprlety of whose confirm tton