Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1848-08-23
: The Secretary Of Stale aud the
LOCOfOcO Party"


Under the above head, the 8: Des Moines
Valley Whig:' Of the 18th inst, remarks
as follows: "Some of the locofocos wish
to shirk the responsibility of the official
action Of Elisha Cutler, Secretary Of State.
They claim that Cutters conduct is net
approved by the party Sc. Now we
do not pretend to speak particularly for
the locofoco party''in Van Buren, coun-
ty, but judging from the election returns
from that county, for some time past, we
are of the opinion that many men and sac-
tons" considered democratic by the party
throughout the State, are not approved by
I" some of the locofocos" there.
We are not informed by the Wing what
"official action'of the Secretary's it is that
so much disturbs the equanimity Of the
gentlemanly editors Of that and kindred
sheets, but we presume it must be in re-
lation to the celebrated Harlan affair about
which so much abuse has been heaped
upon the head of the Secretary. This
matter has been SO much misrepresented
we cannot say misunderstanding the
wing press, that it would be iruitless
task 10 try to enlighten them in regard to
it; for if convinced, which they must be,
that they have done Mr.. CUTLER great in
justice, yet they have not soul enough to
retract. But, for the satisfaction of posi-
bly, "some locofocos" who may not be full
ly informed in the ease, we will on next
week give complete history of the whole
matter, pledging ourselves for the correct
ness of the facts and challenging an exam
ination by either whig or democrat.
Mr.. CUTLER is not a candidate for any
office, and if we are correctly informed,
does not intend or wish to be again, at
least until the party issues assume diife-
rent shape; therefore he requires at our
hands no defence of his official action.
But as prominent democrat, and an i'm
portant State officer, and so made by the
gratuitous action of the democratic party,
it is but justice to the party, and to him as
an officer and man, that we should repel|
the SANDERS Of the wings. And when we
Faay, as we do now, that the .!ofIicial ac-
ton" OF Mr.. CUTLER, not only in the Har-
Ian case, but generally, has met and still
meets with the approval of the democracy
of the State and Of the people; when we
say that MIR. CUTLER is distinguished as
an officer, for prompt, systematic, cor
rect, and impartial discharge Of his duties,
and that his conduct and department in
private life, are as generally approved by
all that enjoy his acquaintance, eve testi-
iy Of the things whereof we know LII
any proof We're needed that these things
are so, it would only be necessary 10 re-
fer TO the action Of the late Democratic
state Convention, by which his "otficial
action was fully and formally endorsed,
not to mention the fact, which is notorious
to all advised in the premises, that he
would have been again nominated for Sc
cretary he had not emphatically declined.
The cause of the spleen entertained by
the wing leaders against Mr.. Cutler is |
very manifest. They recognize i'll him
firm, unilinching, and Influential Democrat;
one who neither desires or expects any
political favors, sad or mfon,,' from the
whigs-one who pursues the evea tenor
of his way, uninfluenced by wing cavel-
ings or clamor--one who they fear the de-
mocracy may be again inclined to honor.
and above, all one who they know will
never lend himself to any of their federal
schemes, under any circumstances and
hence like other ours they bark at what
they cannot or dare not bite.