The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-04-24
The Sol. organ-oppo.,t,on strategy.

ly disorganized, dispersed, and defeated
party.
The Sole Organ-Opposition Strategy.
We would be content to endure the
malignant and mendacious vaporings Of
the Union, ifthey emanated from an indig-
nation which betokened sense of shame.
1t squirms under our exposure of its per-
fidious endorsement of libel upon the
Administration and Col. PEYToN, in the
matter of an allowance of claim which
was passed and settled by the Polk ad-
ministration, as though it had been first
mistake Of verdant and inexperienced
youth The whole career of the Union
is succession of libels, misrepresen-
tations and calumnies. In the case OF
Col. PEYToN, the exposure and the scan
dal were SO close upon each other that il
furnished ready illustration of the pre-
vailing infrmity of the "sole organ" and
its shabby mode of traducing an opponent
whilst seemingly repairing a wrong. What
was this case!
The Union of Saturday picked up and
endorsed gross libel against Colonel Ply
TON, for re-furbushing up claim against
the Government and presenting it to the
present Administration, for services rem
dered whilst District Attorney; and against
the Administration for having allowed it
after two preceding administrations (Mr.
PoLK's and Mr.. TYLER's) had rejected it.
This charge first appeared in the Philadel-
phia Pennsyluanian, an out-and-out bitter
end journal, in which Colonel PEYToN was
styled, by way of insult and reproach, as
General HARRIsoN's Attorney. This is
the charge which the Union endorsed,
with every means Of knowing if false, and
upon which itpredicated one of its chsrac-
teristic denunciations against the personal
honor of the members of General TAY-
LoR's Cabinet. These are the charges.
What are the factsi
Colonel PEYToN's claim was presented
to the last administration shortly after he
was turned out by Mr.. Polk it was set
tied by Mr.. McCULLoH and DR.. COLLINS,
upon an opinion delivered by Mr.. Attor-
ney General JOHN Y. MASON on the 10th
of November, 1845. The value of the SER
vices was proved beyond question, and
the adjustment Of the account was right,
proper and regular. These are the facts.
What would any honorable man have
done upon being apprised Of having COM
mitted gross wrong upon the reputation
of public officer, now representing the
United States on a foreign mission, and
aspersing the Cabinet Of political oppo-
nent for doing what was done by former
Cabinet composed Of his partisans and
friends The answer arises at once to
the tongue of every one. What did the
Union do II published in an obscure
part Of the paper, without introduction OF
notice Of any kind, communication cor
recting the statement which il had made
the day before, and upon which il ar
raigned the Administration for corruption
and malfeasance in office. The correction
is in these words:
From the Union.
"coMnuSrcArrp.
1.-THE account Of Bale Peyton, TO which refer.
ence is made in the Union Of this morning, las
copied from the Pennsyirarian,) was settled by Mr.
McCulloh and DR.. Collins, the opinion Of Attor-
ney General John Y. Mason, given November 10.
ls45. The account through the entire period
Of Peytons official term United States attorney
and included his per diem pay and his fees AZ Uni
ted States attorney in a large number Of suits.
The vaiue Of his services was fully proved by the
certificates Of the United States district Judge and
several highly respectable members of the New Or
leans bar familiar with them. The only ground
Of complaint about II was, that period Of four
years was suffered 10 elspse, after Mr.. Mason's
opinion was given. before the account was settled
and paid; but that was attributable mostly 70 the
inattention Of Mr.. Pcyton himself. who, for the
greater part Of the time, was dancing attendance
on General Taylor in Mexico, and training him, >
as he docs his horses, for the Presidential race OF
ls4s.
knowledge, having acted on IL myselfin the Audi
tors Office r.
"Arsm 20, 1850"
"The only ground of complaint was,
that period Of four years was suffered to
elsPse after Mr.. MAsoS's opinion was
given" Instead Of there being error in
the decision, or corruption in the claim,