Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1847-12-01
VOLUME 6.
0octor matson--The Hawkeye.

week or TWO eInc0s We UsAeAy oo
varied to the libel upon the character Of
hi. gentleman, which appeared in the
Burlington Hswkeye. That sheet, after
.t,tine that DR.. Matson stood "indicted for
an Infamous crime, intimated that thereby
he had become so infamous that he ought
to b expelled from the House Of Repre-
septatives, Of which he is member.
We would not consider it necessary to
vindicate him from the aspersions OF this
common and confessed libeller, were they
confined to his own notorious vehicle OF
SANDER. But we have heard much OF DIR.
Matson since the adjournment OF the Leg
islature. First, we heard that, having
perpetrated the crime alledged against
him, he had precipita;ely fled the country;
then, that he was in durance vile to await
his trial; then, that he was still at large
and the Sheriff in pursuit Of him; then,
that he was indicted, with almost GER
tainty Of conviction; and lastly, that he had
packed up bag and baggage in the night
and left. Each Of these statements went
the rounds as serious fact, and the last,
in particular, was stated SO positively that
we were ourself deceived, and after the
lapse of month ortwo, surprised to learn
thai Doctor Matson was at home where
he always had been, with the exception
Of visit to the East, pursuing the even
tenor Of his way and anxiously awaiting a
trial to vindicate his fair fame.
We know nothing of the facts OF the
case. beyond the fact Of the Indictment;
and that we only know by hesrsay. Does
the Hawkeye know any more? We can
easily imagine that, as is often the case,
neighborhood difficulties and animosities
may have much to do in the matter. But
il were difficult to believe, that in all these
runors and this hasty pre-judging Of that
gen!lemap's case. the fell spirit Of federal
malignity has not borne a very large
share; and in the opinion that such is the
fact, we are confirmed by the Hawkeye's
deliberate libel. The truth is. DR.. Mat
SOD, tried and unflinching democrat,
was thorn in the side of whiggery last
winter.
Tie Hawkeye boldly assumes that the
finding Of bill by grand jury, without
trial or conviction, is sufficient TO disfran-
chize nan! But the man thus arranged
is democrat, and this, in the mind of this
most envsnomed federal scribbler, is suf-
iicient to condemn-aye, to hang him, if
such were the penalty-without judge or
jury: Being pharisaical professor re-
ligion, he might not, perhaps, deny his
victim the benefit Of clergy. Officiating
at the same time as Judge and hangman,
he would doubtless consent himself to per-
form, also, the priestly functions of shrift
and holy intercession for the victim of his
own deadly hate.
The Miners Express very properly Oh.
serves:
"There is not the slightest probability
that the alledged offence can be proven
against DR.. Matson, nor is there one in
twenty ,conversant with the circumstances
who believes there is any foundation for
the charge. The confidence in his in,eg-
rity, we have every reason to believe is
unimpaired among his friends, and we call
inform the Hawkeye man, that il will re-.
quire something more reliable than his
vIndictive SANDERS TO destroy that conf
dence, or to take from the brow OF DR..
Watson a single laurel which life of
honesty has justly and nobly earned for
Aim."
For ourself, we have no disposition to
pre-judge, either favorably or uniavorably,
the case of any man arraigned before the
oar ofjussice. Expressions from the press
an such cases often have an evil tendency,
and are seldom justifsble. We therefore
purposely refraned from alluding TO DR..
Ma''on's case, notwithstanding all the YER
oa' derogatory rumors, aud the handle
winch we are informed has been made Of
mem in some counties in our political cam
'ass' until we saw him thus 5rutally as
sailed BY one whose hang dog coun,e-
nance were alone sufficient, according 10
ME own rule Of conviction unheard, to in.
carcerate him in the walls of a peniten,ia.
~.
We knew Dr.. M. as a member of tho
Constitutional Convention and as Ren.
Ie'entasive in the Gen. Assembly from
jackson and Jones counties; and we ven.
lure the assertion that the judgment Of
every candid and impartial member Of both
NOSE bodies, and ofboth parties, will bear
Us out in saying that they did not number
'"ong their list more exemplary, up