Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1850-09-06
From the Washington Union, LIST inst.
CorruptiOms OF the G0lphins-LIbcrty of the Press
RIchnrdsom-StnnlY-Rit -Semgstnck.


tatives, as chairman of the " Bundlecundn commit
tee calling for the arrest and trial before the House
of Thomas Richie and C. P. Sengstack," because
they refused to answer certain questions propounded
to them, will have another foot print of federal
ism quite ineligible as the alien and sedition
laws 1t exhibits an attempt to establish, through
party congressional committee most odious inqui-
sition into the prtUate affairs of political opponents
and by means if possible, more odOus still, for the
qualification of political and personal malice.
short history of the origin of this whole matter
may be acceptable and will elucidate the proceed
lngs lately going in the House of Representatives
The Galphin administration, the most reckless ev
er known in any civilized nation, had committed
such gross and open violations of law and justice
had trampled on all precedents and so plundered
the treasury an the opinion Of large portion OF the
community that the press groaned with the indig-
nant expressions of public condemnation. Especial
y was Mr.. Ewing Secretary of the Interior, marked
out as guilty of high offences 1t was alleged that
he had re-opened State claims against the govern
ment in the Pension and Indian Offices, which had
been rejected by former administrations to large a
mounts, and by his ngle authority had allowed
and paid them, although having no real foundation
in law or justice.
He was also charged with making numerous APP
pOintments to Office in violation OF law, and IN one
instance comforting of his appointments
the chief clerk of the Pension Office whom he brought
from Ohio as it was said, for special purposes-a re-
07Sory Po1cer the opinions and decisions Of has
PeT1or, the Commissioner of Pensions. But what ag-
=
having assumed to himself the examination of the
claims then pending in the Office for Communication of
pay to revolutionary officers and interest thereon
having remained in Office for three months or there
abouts, busily engaged in that examination as to
be unable to attend to any other duy-suddenly re-
signed his Office and advertised agent to prose-
cute those very claims againt the government,
raj of which, it is said have been passed by Mr. Ew
ing, contrary to law and precedent and knowledge
of which he very cevery obtained by this very able
arrangement.
But in addition to these charges, it was alleged
that many appointments made by Mr.. Ewing were
either editors correspondents OF newspapers, and
were, fact pensioners on the government for
party purposes. The disclosure which was made of
such case in the State Department showed the
istence of such Irregularities in of the depart
ments and Mr.. Ewing was charged with having
participated largely in the abuse
These charges should have induced Mr.. Ewing to
ask for an investigation, that if innocent he might
be acquitted before the world But the condition
of the treasury appeared to be growing evil, and
no such request came from Mr.. Ewing, MIR Richard
son, of Illinois-as honorable member as holds a
seat in the House of Representatives that a
committee of nine be appointed to inquire into the
truth of those charges, and his motion adopted
The friends of Siandered cabinet officer could not
ask for anything honorable favorable to him
than fair trial. But if, unfortunately he rs not
SLdndered, then their course would be accordingly.
Instead of uniting in the investigation of the char
ges made against Mr.. Ewing Mr.. Stanly determin-
ed to divert public attention. if possible, from the
posure he anticipated its result, by counter
committee to inquire whether certain Bundlecund'
documents had not been written by democratic
ohce-holder, and whether certain democratic Office
holders under the Polk administration did not cleo
tioneer for Gen Cass, contribute money, write let
ters attend public meetings, &C., during the canvass
of l848.
This ingenious device of the N. Carolina statesman
was executed in the spirit in which it was devised.
1t was intended to act a Frankln-rod in thun-
Inf oo hoFo
general questions put to witnesses of curious
character of which addressed to Mr. Richie, of
the /" Unon,' is a rich specimen He required
m lcho cere the anonymous correspondents OF ms
paper.
nose who'-now the laws regulating the press in
tins country-the constitutional guarantees of its
treedom-the necessity of that freedom in order to
MAINTAIN the best rights of the citizen be star
ed at Such an 'nsldlous yet bold attempt to shackle
that great engine of public liberty.
Hero was no question of an abuse of the press Nc
one complained of HbeouS attack on private charac
ter In either case the proper forum would be the
judicial tribunal. Here was other than IL ques-
ton of constructive contempt. This contempt is ba-
sed upon refusal of an editor to surrender priv
lege necessary to guard free press. Mr.. Stanly
brings this question before the House of Representa-
tives, and demands trial and punishment of Mr.
Richie, doubtless by fine and i'm risonment. de-
ny the right OF Congress to exercise any such power
Their powers fortunately for the public interests
are limited to express grants. The power to make
governing tnelr own proceedings cannot
thorize them to trample rights guaranteed by the
constitution Allparts of the instrument must stand
together You cannot construe power to exist which
violates any other power right. IT. therefore, the
House of Representatives by a rule has given pow.
er to committee to send for persons and papers, and
to examine them in Investigations of any kind, those
examinations must conform to principles clearly
knowledged in the fundamental law, to resist them
is contempt.
The freedom of the press, therefore, at which Mr.
Stanly is aiming deadly blow, is in danger if his
doctrine shall prevail and his vengeance be gratied
by an oppression of the editor of the Union. Mr.
Richie is of the last who should be victim
lied, if courteous and fair department. in his i'm
portant station is merit During long profession
al career. whilst always battling for the freedom Of
the press he has always avoided its licentiousness
Even now suspicion of the kind is connected with
the attack of Mr.. Stanly, and he will find that the
fate of the old federal advocates of the sedtion law
will be his-to be overwhelmed with storm of pub
lie odium, in which the wing press itself will join
The case of Mr. Sengstack is an aggravaton O
the offence of Mr.. Stanly in this whole matter if the
public are correctly informed on the cause of com
plant against him. 1t is said that the contempt O
which he is guilty consists in his refusal to state
what democratic of6ceholder contributed money anC
otherwise aided Gen. Cass's election, Unless the com
0atee dlowed him to state 1Chat achg oficehotderS d
the same thing an favor of Gen. Taylor. He nigh
have added g and have been retained in Office, AM
in some cases promoted for the act"
For this refusal, the old man it to be dragged be
fore the bar of the House of Representatives AM
tried. He is to be allowed counsel to defend him,
he desires it ; and trust if such event occurs
that "a may be there to hear"
And now the public will see the action of the Hous
of Representatives with much interest Worn out a