Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1846-04-13
THE CoNsTIrUrIoN->rarE RIGHTS.
RICHMOND DAILY WING.
By GALLaHER. ELLIOTT a co.
MONDAY MORNING ArRlL &c. 1870.
MONDAY MORNING APRIL Is. Is,o.
Mcssrs. Webster and IngcrsoH.


Webster's elaborate speech on the Ashburton
Treaty. We deem it proper to observe, that,
in our previous remarks this production. we had
reference chiefly TO those portions of Mr.. Web,
ster's argument which were intended to repcl the
charge that by the provisions OF that treaty. the
rights and honor of the United States had been
sacrificed. and tie nsiuuation growing out of it,
that thus sacrifice hud been made by the negotia-
tor from corrupt or from cowardly motives. With
regard to Mr.. Webster's reply to Mr. lngersoll
while all must admit that the assault which pro-
voked 1t was most wanton and unpardona-
ble we are constrained to say, that its violence is
alike unworthy OF the Senator from Massachu-
sets, and out of place in the dignlted body of
which he is a distinguished member. We can
well conceive that the temper of Mr.. Webster
must have been rutiled. in no ordinary manner,
by the character of the attack gratuitously
made upon him by Mr.. Inget soll but he owed it
to his own high standing nevertheless. as well as
to the dignity of the Senate, so to rebuke his as
s,ilant. as that. while he should vince under the
LASH there should be occasion for self-reproach
or modification hereafter Cool and phlegmatc
a. Mr. Webster generally is, and never before,
that we remember. reused to such an exhibition
of almost furious passion. we have no doubt that
he will himself hereafter. If he has not already
done So regret the use of language so uncharac-
teristlc, and. we may add, SO well calculated 10
defeat its object, 10y exciting something like SYM
na,bv IN behalf of the individual to whom it is
applied.
The natural effect of Mr.. Wobsters excoria-
ting remaks has been to excite the yindictve
feelings of Mr.. Ingcrso. who, as well as his
friends. seem to forget that Mr.. lngersoll began
the war and that if MIR. Webster somewhat VIC
lated the canons of true dignity in his Just re-
sentiment great deal is pardonable, in conside.
ration of the outrageous nature OF the attack made
upon him by the Representative from Pennsylva-
MA We copied, in Saturday mornings paper,
a brief abstract OF the proceedings Of the House
on the 9th inst. indicating the mode in which Mr..
Ingersoll proposes to aveDge himself. He does
no, even attempt IN show that the charges
made bv him against Mr.. Webster on a previous
occasion, end which elected his severe punish.
ment are we'll founded. or that they are sustained
bv proof He does not complain that Mr.. Web
ster nv placing upon those charges the brand Of
falsehooi. has done him injustice. Not at all
But abandoning altogether the original ground Of
controversy he brings forward new allegations of
fraud and corruption against the Senator from
Massachusetts, which he alleges had but the day
before come to his knowledge, growing ou; Of the
disbursement while Mr.. w. Secretary Of
State. Of the "secreI service fund" placed at the
disposal of the Executive, to be used, rs il has
always been by direction, and at the sole discre-
ton of the President, Certainly we do not CEN
sure Mr.. Ingersoll for arraignng public officer
at the bar of Justice and before the tribunal Of
| pnblic opinion, when he has sufficient to
| believe that. in the performance of his official
duties he has been guilty OF grave crimes and
misdemeanors. Nor, If the allegations thus So
| lcmnly made against a former Secretary Of State
can be sustained shall our voice be raised in MS
defence or in palliaton of his conduct. Blu;
| while there are some passages in Mr. Webster's
public history which we most heartily dsapprove,
we cannot believe, on the mere ipse dirit Of Mr.
Charles Jared Ingorsoil, that he has been guilty
Of the Infamous offences ascribed 10 him, by i'm
p!ication in the resolution submitted to the House
and directly charged in the speech by which that
resolution was preraced. Yet, we repeat If the
alterations can he sustained, n, one will be more
ready than ourselves to unite Ia his condemnation
and punIshnent-ln cAPehHs H'1' u necd De-
from the Senate Hall, as the m)ney.changers
were scourged from tho Temple they profaned
We are gratfed that MI. WeLster's friends in.
terposed no objection to the investigation Propo-
scd-and that the resolution offered by Mr.. In.
persoll, was adopted by an overwhelming moior.
ty-l3G to 2s-thrse who voted in the negative.
embracing some of the most decided political op.
ponents of Mr. Webster, (such as Gen. Biyly Of
virg MIA, and Holmes Of s. Co. being Influenced
by considerations Of general character, as TO the
power Of the House to institute an enquiry into
tho disposition Of the Secret Service Fund, and.
If the power were unqIeS,lo IabIe, as TO the policy
Of exercising il. The proceedings, in detail, on
this Interesting aud exciting subject, which are
excluded this morning by other demands upon our
| columns shall appear Tomorrow.