Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1846-04-30
Messrs. IngcrsOI and Webster.

We deem apology necessary for occupying
much space in this mornings paper with the
spicy Uhough, we must add, discreditable) debate
in the House OF Representatives, ON Monday last,
between Mr.. Charles Jared lngerso and Mr..
Ashmun of Massachusetts. The former gentle
man, ii will be perceived, has not only repeated
his last series OF charges against Mr.. Webster.
(the first having been abandoned untenable,
and the accuser thereby acknowledging their fal.
sy,) but he has attempted to sustain the IN, in al.
vance of the investigation directed 10 be made
10y the House. And howl Why, by reading
transcripts from the books of the State Depart.
ment, To which, il seems he has been permitted
to have access, and the contents of which he has
not hesitated to divulge, although the President,
in whose charge the fund to the disbursement of
which these books refer is specially placed by
law. felt himself constrained by solemn consde-
ratIons of public duty to withhold even from the
Representatives Of the People that precise infor-
nation, when requested by resolution of the
House to lay il before that body Ii will devolve
upon MIR. Ingersoll, therefore, even if he shall he
able to sustain his charges against Mr.. Webster
and upon that point we are content to await the
action of the Committee OF Investigation, prepa-
v.
though feeling nevertheless strong hope, rs well
profound conviction that he will pass through
the fiery ordeal unscathed-we say it will de-
volvc upon Mr.. lngersoll to clear his own skirts
of the serious charge of having transcribed his
privileges a member of the House in examin-
ing the records referred to- and of having violated
law of the laudfn making portions of those
cords public. If Mr.. Ingersoll shall be permitted
like "a housing owl, 10 pry into the secret
cesses of the Executive Departments for the pur
pose OF arming himself with weapons of assault
upon the personal reputation of n gentleman who
had formerly presided over one of them, and with
this object TO publish to the world the evidence
thus surreptitiously obtained, why may not some
other member usurp the privilege of examining
the correspondence of the Ietary of State with
the Minister OF some foreign Power, in the midst
even of negotiation, and of spreading before III
country documents which Congress itself, by II
call upon the President, might be unable, because
of the improperly oftle publication, to procure {!
Mr.. Websters guilt If that should be de-
Donstraied, can never justify the great outrage
perpetrated by his accuser, for the purpose Of OBJ
tanning the evidence necessary to his conviction.
The victim may be plunged into the pit which has
been dug for him but if he shall thus fall from
has high estate" that pit Will be found broad and
deep enough for his accuser, not whit less cri.
minal, to lie by his side.
We shall await. however, the developments to
be mace by the Committee of Invest,gation-not,
we confess, without anxiety. for in the reputation
Of such a msn as Daniel Webster, the country
has a deep interest, and lac cannot be stricken
down without the infection Of fatal wound upon
the national character; but at the same time
without serious apprehension. for we will not.
without proof, clear aud ndisputable, believe that
such man can have been guilty of the corrup-
lion imputed TO him. When these development ts
shall be made, we shall be prepared to express an
opinion, uninfuenced by political relations the
one hand, or BY personal feelings on the other.