Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1848-09-13
IOWA CITY:
Gen. Cass and Mr.. Wise.

Gen. Cass and Mr.. Wise.
The wing prints and pamPhleteers have
lately attempted to make political capital
out ola certain affidavit, made in 1867 BY
Henry A. Wise, now candidate on the
democratic electoral ticket in Virginia.
1t may be recollected by many of our
readers that, at the session of Congress
above mentioned, Mr.. Wise, then an op-
position member in the House, procured
the appointment Of a committee to inyesti-
gate certain charges of alleged abuse in
several of the departments at Washington,
among the rest the War Department, at
the head Of which Gen. Cass at that time
was. The whig press now endeavor to
create the impression that Mr.. Wise, as a
member of the committee of investigation,
swore positively to the truth of certain
charges which were brought up before it
against Gen. Cass. How dishonest and
unfair this position is, will appear from
the following short extract from a late let
ter, in which Mr.. Wise explains the true
intent and design of his oath:
"When, therefore, submitted resolu-
tons of inquiry in the form which pro-
posed, the majority of the committee call
! al ~ f,~ s,,oo.Ga.
lions of names and charges. and to verify
the same ON my belief in the truth of the
same, on oath. Thus cameto be sworn.
The proposition | regarded as extremely
insulting and offensive to Representative,
and it was certainly very exciting in its
effect upon the committee. But deter
mined that investigation and inquiry should
proceed. and | submitted to take the oath
that beliered there was good ground for
both investigation and inquiry"
From the above it will appear that Mr.
Wise did not swear to the truth of the
charges made, but only that he sheltered
!. there was good ground for investigation. :"
Indeed. he further says, that Of his own
Knowledge he "knows nothing Of their
truth or falsehood," and that his oath on
" related to his sbelicf founded upon the
| information of others" How then, we
ask, could this oath effect Gen. rass? es-
pecially, as the truth Of the charges made
against him were never verified, the COM
mittee not deemlng them sufficient to pro-
coed upon.
After stating his present belief in the
utter falsity of these charges, Mr.. Wise
thus vindicates his present position. 1t is
a scorcher for the Taylor whiglings. He
says:
'sBut it is uged that |, nevertheless,
swore that Jeliered in the truth of these
charges. did at the time, most sincere
| ly; and the wing party now would have it
supposed that | continue in that belief
If do, in what category of degradation
must they suppose the whig party itself
to be placed, in my humble estimation,
when they see me supporting with zeal
man thus condemned by NE for the pres
idency, rather than unite with that party
in bringing into power its more-to-be abb
horred principles and practices! con-
TESS that a candidate would have to be full
ly as bad as | once thought General Cass
to be, before could be driven from the
democratic party at this day, or to take
even neutral stand in the coming contest
for the presidency
But the truth is, that nothing could be
a more triumphant vindication Of Gen.
Cass against the effect of my sworn belief
in the sufliciency Of charges preferred by
others against his official conduct in 1886
81, than that I, who did SO believe and
did so swear then, arm now nominated
elector on bis ticket, and am ready and
anxious TO vote for hin to be The Presi-
dent of the United States.
To atone to fellow man, who has been
injured in your esteem, by the error or
malice OF others, is, according to my school
and code, the very beauty of consistency
with honor, with truth, with sound moral
ity, and with justice from man to man
BoB-TArLs.--In old coon times, when
ever the wings started new party word,
it was said they had added another ring
to the coon's tail. Now since they have
discarded all their cold principles" it is
evident that they have cut it entirely Off
''smack, smooth off" The question arises
whether bob-tail coon can make a sue
cessful race, turn short corners, or walk
log!-True Sun.
However the question may be decided
as to walking log" foriy-one Iowa
coons Of the following species--state, Con-
gressional and Legislature aspirants
bob-tailed, have recently polked the piank'
However they can all "turn short corn
ers,' yet, and being, as may well be sup
posed, by this time tired of old issues,
many of them are fit subjects for new-fan-
gled abolitsnism.