Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1847-03-31
Impartial TesiiIn ny.--G Gen. ". r.
Van Antwerp. So

urs that Ne transfer to our columns,
from the organ Of the young democracy Of
the Empire State, the following testimonial
concerning the worth Of distinguished
co-laboref is the cause Of equal rights in
our own infant State. Owing to the po-
sition occupied BY the gentleman spoken
Of below, our judgement might be consid-
cred as biased by circumstances, should
we speak so freely Of his merits as man
and democrat, as our disinterested CO.
temporary Of his native State has seen fit
to do.
In the subjoined article from the AL
bany Atlas. which we fully endorse, as
will also every unprecedented democrat
who knows Gen. Van Antwerp, there is
nothing which should be regarded by any
other prominent democrat Of Iowa, as in
vidisus in its tendency. AS an organ Of
! :ne democracy, it is no part of our duty to
espnuse the cause Of any individual mem
Der Of our party, and thus foster jealousy
and strife among different members; and
| we fearlessly challange the world to point
out an instance Of this kind in our whole
course. Yet our duty by no means pre-
cludes us from bestowing the need Of
praise where il is justly due, nor from
visiting censure upon those whose con-
! duet may merit it. It can not be said
I with truth, that we have ever been exclu-
sive, or shown undue partially in this re-
speci; though some times we Esay have
erred in eulogizing men who have since
/, evinced a poor appreciation Of the favor,
with small thanks for our pains. As a
general ruleI this may be taken as prima
tacia evidence that they wero unworthy;
but in such cases, we have erred, il at all,
on the safe side; and moreover, it has al
ways been in cases where the persons III
question were bitterly assailed by the vim
dictive missiles Of the federal foe. In
such cases, all members Of our party,
without respect to persons, have been
thoroughly vindicated by the Reporter.
Such is peculiarly the case with the
gentleman now alluded TO. One can scarce
" step aboard OF steam boat, into the bar
room Of tavern or doggery in Tie upper
Mississippi Valley, without meeting with
a striking indication Of the malignity, the
deep seated venom and hatred, which the
votaries of proscriptive federalism cher
ish towards Gen. Van Antwerp. He is
made mark for the lowest and most sour
rillous ribaldry with which the abandoned
federal press Of this region can be made
to teen. 1t is therefore gratifying to have
it in our power TO lay before the public
such a testimonial with reference to his
character. as that which follows.
In conciusisn, before introducing the
article, We would say that there are not
few other democrats in Iowa, entitled, IL
greater or less degree, to the same en-
com;'ims therein bestowed upon The gentle
| man above named. While we are no
man orshiper, We are truly proud of
| those who, under circumstances the most
lrying-in adversely, as we'll as in pros
per'ty-have proved true and faithful to
the democracy; and should feel it exceed
ingly degrading to admit that there is but
one. or even few, such in our state.
From some cause or another, an impress.
sion has eons abroad highly urfavorable
to the character of our public men, and
discreditable to the s,,Dle of our state at
large, to wit; that the nu,. her of men in
Iowa who are fitted, by their mental ca
paci,ies and morrl worth, for the highest
posts OF public trust, is exceedingly limit
ed-:ndeed, judging from some crilerions
occasionally met with, that there is
scarcely plurality OF such men in orr |
State. This false estimate should be /,
promptly corrected. Regarding this as
especially the duty Of the democratic
press, we take the present occasion to
say that Iowa, though young, has many
distinguished SONS of whom her people
may well be proud; and though some of
them are net ambitious Of political favors,
who are well qualified for some OF the mos,
exalted and responsible stations in our
federal government:
I'VE published few days since, an ac-
count from the Iowa Capital Reporter, of
the proceedings Of Democratic cancus Of
the members Of the Iowa legislature, at
which General V. P. VAN ANTWERP was
nominated as one of the first Senators in
Congress from this young western State.
The same treachery to the democratic par
ty which defeated the wishes Of the true
republicans OF New York, is at work in