Democratic banner., 1849-11-19
From the Missouri Courier.

&41A 0fACe at PalSnyra-.LOFd Maha1.
I'VE haV6b been writing for the last four months
eeaiust this oficialfunctionary ; preferine heinous
and disgrsceful allegations, not one Of which has
bean denied until within the last few days. And
why has this charge been controverted in pre-
ference to any other? Because Of its enormity2
No; but because Of its direct application to his
recent ohiciai acts, and If true would warrantth the
Senate Of the United States in refusing to con-
firm bis appointment. Such was our asto,'ish.
1nent on seeing an article in the "Mo. Wing"
copied from the "Louisiana Record" and signed
HJustice." we exclaimed "n1irnbie dieta."
To think that q sane man would undertake to
defend Lord Mahan's character was preposter-
GUS. How does Justice propose 10 clear his
Lofdship Of the Goodrich transaction? Does he
prove that Goodrich n~isstated the particulars?-
Does. he deny the charge that Mahan, by low,
dirty tricks, prevented Goodrich from selling his
warrant He dare not denv that Mahan did de-
fraud the government ont Of twenty- five dollars.
Why has Justice published his p%uerile defence
5na paper remote from the place where all the
facts are knownp Because his affinity to the
Harty was Of such q character the article could
do ne4cod-rnless il came from q distance. and
then 4 would be presumptive evidence that It
emeas4ed from q Just and disinterested person.
Justee' says Mshan Is either guilty, or he is
not guilty-if he is guilty, he should suffer, ifhe
% Dot, Citizen should feel the penalty Of the
iaw.' This 10 the argument Of this man Justice
and IN eur opinion it leaves Mahan abont where
Il fousd HMM the depths Of official degrade
ltion.s BIN. ,~-g.a,.e 81 9. -s-s
AJustice' iutimates that the public has less to
lsar from Mahan than some of his predecessors.
ifhs nsans to say that Col. B, Davies was not q
1nost excellent officer, he intended to tell a false
had Both wings and democrats agree that be
was one ofthe best officers we have ever had at
this place. But with Mahan It is different ell
parties conclude that be is both ignorant, dishon'
est and . bad officer.
We have not written against Mahan like he
wrote against his predecessor, togratify personal
feelings. He commenced slsnderina Col. Davies
20 The people of the land district, immediately he
otpossession of the Office. He wrote to the
department Of the General Land Office, in SIX
days after he received his commission, saying
many things thst were not founded in truth. and
thsy had the magnsnipity to forward Col. D.. .
copy Or MaAsn,s letter. Ne sooner had he read
IL than like an honest man, conscious Of his own
manly feeling, he repaired to the Office, taking
via him such men as DR.. Kibby. Maj. Blakey
ssnd BIZ. Valiant ; acquainted Mahsn he had bsse-
~ Esfepresented him TO the Department. and
9sasanded the privilege Of searching for papers
es.fke (Mahan) had written to the department
M~srsnstaoAs found inthe office. This was re-
.Essed In. sad Re shen resolved to search ct al
hezaeda. He opened. the case where the CORES.
isalssee cfthe Office had been kept for twenty
1StRs, md there found, In an instant, Ill the pa
13esst;hn Mstza had writes were lost lmnns-
tfAEssy Dsst3e opened ths eass, Mshan knew he
~ dstsetsd, aud melted into teaTs-said he was
~ ssis6e4 de papers we're In their proper
StSsss ssdfb1tks hsd written Q fslsskood to the
aatsTtaesta 40h hstessedtsbe fsssissn, sad