The Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1846-1852, 1849-11-16
Gbe Ganfaster Ga2ette.
Lancaster, Tuesday, Nov. 13, IsAO
From the National hteHigeacer, NOo. /.
Mr. Ewing and the "UniOn.'

1t is a very general remark, and GER
tanly very true one, that there has new
er been time within any ones memory
when the party press Of this country was
signaized by such excessive virulence as
marks the course of most of the OppOsi
ton Journals at this time. Not satisfied
with all sorts Of political aspersions, they
invade the walks Of private life and de-
scend to personal defamation. They
appear to regard the Administration of
General Taylor, and every member 1t,
with hatred the most intense, and wage
war against it with an acrmony as meas
ureess as it is unparalleled. Consplcu-
Gus, ifnot chief in this savage warfare,
we are sorry 10 say is the "Union" fIhIs
city; and we have reason to believe that
many even of its own party share our re-
gret to see it occupy this "bad emnence." +"
Who would expect to see the arrows of
Nestor poisonedl But so it is.
An instance of this extreme injustice,
prompted by party mallgni,y, we feel it
our duty to notice, aud in doing so could
not forbear the general remarks with
which we have prefaced it.
The Union has for some cause or 9th
er singled out the Secretary of the lnte-
ror, Mr.. Ewing, as the mark of its enven-
omed shafts, and having assailed him for
every species of political offence, ventur-
ed some weeks ago to arraign him on
charges of private corruption aud person
al dshonor, in having, as it is alleged, Oh
tained house as his residence here, from
citizen Of the name of Douglas, seeds
man and horticulturist, at very reduced
rent, on condition or promise, or under
standing, that he would give Douglas the
place of Public Gardener, worth some
ST. 200 or 81, 500. The Union does not
venture to charge that such promise
was made by Mr.. Ewing, or any such un
Outstanding eutered inio by him, but it
insinuates as much, and upon this inslnua-
ted charge weaves an immense tissue of
degrading impulalions, as unworthy OF
the established character for honor and
probity of the eminent citizen who
is calumniated, as they are disgraceful to
the party making them.
When this story first appeared in the
Union it was passed in silence. The
selfreSpect of every man, especially one
occupying the elevated aud responsible
position which Mr.. Ewing does, would
naturally recuil from the humiliation OF
pleading to charges SO base. Encour'
aged by this silence, the Union has again
required to the subject with renewed fe
rocity aud vi;uperation. We have, there
fore, thought it due TO TRUTH as well at
to the good name Of an able, distinguish
ed, aud veteran public servant. worthy o
every mans esteem, to inquire into the
facts of this mountain of falsehood, and
now give them to our readers, to whom
we can undertake to pledge ourselves f"'
their truth.
1t would occupy our space uniecessar
", and would exhaust the patience ot ou
readers, were we to take up all the points
of all the articles of The Union on thi
subject, and expose them one by one; for
we repeat, it docs not charge a case
direct collision, between the Secretar,
and Douglas, but ehdeaEors to establish
corruption by inference. Now, in wha
follows we shall meet every tangible pOin
by evidence of its falsity, and where, from
the hatdre Of the case, negative cahno
be proved, the allegation shall be met b.
positive denial.
In NJ arch last, when about to rent
house, Mr.. Ewing inquired ofcne ofth
editors of this paper if he knew Of on
suitable for the purpose. A few days al
forwards that individual recommended
house on G.. street, occupied by the lat
Postmaster General, the rent of whit
was $500, About that time Douglas Of
fered his house. 1t being too large, h
offered to rent the main building, withou
the wing, (Which took off nine rooms
making it about equal in accommodate
to the house on G. street. Mr.. E. like
its situation better, but it was inferior i
this that it had no stable or orcarriage honse
and no grounds. This Douglas ofere
for $3.50. Mr.. Ewing considered tn
rent of both houses reasonable, and, q
the whole concluded to take the house {
Mr.. Douglas on his agreeing to make Gel
tain improvements, which were necessa
nv toits convenience as a residence.
During the negotiation Douglas neve
in the slightest manner connected an ar
picalion for office with his proposition
let the house. Nothing ofthe kind wa
said or intimated; nor is it pretended e
ven by the Union that there ever was be
tween Douglas and the Secretary. Tn
rent which was agreed on was the fai
value of the property. 1t had been som
years before rented for $3.50, kept te'
months and reduced to 5000, includin
the nine rooms in the wing; the lessee {
the end ofthe year surrendered the winI
and kept the main building about yet
at $400, but gave it up. 1t had two SUI
cessive tenants afterwards within OF
year, and was vacant when Dougla las o
fered it to Mr. Ewing.
An addition Of $50 year was the fu
value of the seed room in the main bull,
ing, which was fitted up and added Fl
the use of Mr.. Ewing
Having closed the contract verbal
Mr.. Ewing requested Douglas to have
lease prepared, which he promised to d
and, being much occupied with offici