Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1851-01-09

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officers in the regular service have succeeding in filing
the rauks OF company in so short time.
The accusation this case, II will be observed,
rows itself down this, that Mr.. Chandler ought TO
have been appointed instead OF my brother Tor OF
sense will argue Chough some men did during last can
vass) that such appointment, taking from home
and friends, certain danger and hardship in
foreign land should be thrust upon any who made
no application and might have no desire for II.
"Out of nothing, nothing be made," says the old
proverb. Its author unacquanted with the ngenu-
ity Of political Partizanshp In getting up charges it
dispense with material altogether. Ii is at loss
TO impeach mans conduct and motives, let him take
which side Of dilemma he pleaSes.
Take; as example, tins last case. My brother offered
his services the existing war he is now ON the plains
of Mexico engaged believe in the dangerous service
Of escortBg baggage trains from Camargo TO Monterey;
and the charge gotten up is Of ayoritsm and undue in
iuence IN his appointment But say that none Of my
relatives had thus volunteered then the charge
plausible and Just eagerly pressed would have been
that while the member sat comfortably in his congress
sona CHAIR giving warike votes, not an lBdisdu-
al q bis family would confront the dangers he had been
instrumental in provoking. The expectation escape
all censure very idle one and has BEEN since
the days of the man, his son and the
At the time these appointments made l thought
it unlikely they might be seized upon default Of
more convenient eectioneerng capital. Had / been
sure of this, it would not have changed by hairs
breadth, the course have pursued. have right
purchase votes for myself by injustice others Tbs
ambition to ones country in some useful capacity
is honest and honorable ambition. Whenever a con-
sttuent of mine has applied for an Office for which be-
ieved him qualified, have done my best open and
straightforward way obtain il for him For nv rela-
tves, have done, not more less than for Others
That they related to me, assuredy,
why their claims should be preferred but neither
good cause for disfranchiserneut
have given, perhaps 1t unnecessary detail, the
circumstances Of each appointment. If wrong, or IN
due favor, unjust preference others, there was
can be shown when, and where, and how. If none,
then hardly be considered fair ground of
sion against me, that brother is rsking his life for
his adopted country or tfat my relatives happen
ed topossess scientific qualifications for Offices, which, if
their important duties be faithfully filled, will reject
little credit the District, and the State that fur
nished officers to fill them.
/ 1t would not be altogether fair, to make member
personally responsible for the ability and faithful
of every man, who, his endorsement may chance
TO receive ocOe. Yet, in these that have been
made ground of charge against me- seek not avoid
such responsibility If DIR. Owen, if Mr. Faunteroy
discharge not, with ability and the entire satisfaction
of the Department. the tasks respectively imposed
Them If Captain Owen neglect single professional du-
y give back step in TIE hour of trial. ofdeath
willing the fault should be visited, PERSONAL
myself
to the District apology for the length of this
article a trivial subject. Its occasion was, con-
css but miserable piece Of electoneering humbug OF
this do not specially complain. Public become,
unfortunately but too much accustomed to such .wca
pons Sometimes the assault may best be passed by in
lencc. Sometimes, in the case Of charges
oardng which an honorable desires to stand in
nocent only but unsupported it bat an act of fairness
to the public well to the individual, that he should
state the facts, in Justification
ROBERT DALE OWEN.
September 10, 1917.
So far had written in 1s47. 1t is now my mean-
choly duty state, that my brother-inaw has since
lost his life in the public service. In the early part of
last winter Mr. Faunllerov's professional duty called
him Galveston, Texas, where the cholera prevailed.
He left his family with gloomy lorebodngs, which
soon realized The second day after his arrival he died
in few hours illness of cholera. His associates in the
Coast Survey united TO erect a marble monument over
his grave, token Of their estimation of his ability and
fidelity officer. and bis virtues This
was testimony Of respect never before shown to any
officer in that service and places beyond possible doubt
the suitability Of the appointment.
The only really important nomination which was made
from my District, and 10y my agency. while was men,
Der of Congress- that Of JosEPH LANE to he Brig
adler General At the time il made, my political
opponents in Posey county made il charge against me-
that had not moral courage enough to nominate nv
brother Richard, who, they averred, had much more
military experience than Mr.. Lane, and, therefore,
ought, in preference. have been nominated by
They prophecied, also, that General Lane would show
his entire lack OF capacity for an oee so high and re-
sponsibe Just still talk Of his entire ineaPacity
Cor the Office OF President disregarded an these
camors trusting to time for my defence. Gloriousy
did General Lane yndcate the saeaciy Of Ry ehoices
Il is act of justice TO an opponent to say, that Mr.
Bright aided, with the utmost zeal and with the perse
verence which belongs the man, in the appointment
of Lane. As Senator he had more influence than L,
Representative only. could have. And without his
strong influence and exerons feel assured. that all
could do would have been ruitess and that Lane
would have received the appointment. To Mr. Bright,
then, even than to myself the coantry owes what
of she has reaped from General Lanes mill
tary achievements.
Having thus laid the facts before yoa I am wiling
gentlemen Of the General Assembly. to abide your
tiny; and shall cheeruly acquiesce in your decision.
am, Gentlemen,
Your fellow citizen,
ROBERT DALE OWEN.
INDIANAroLIs, January 6, 1851