American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-08-26
Mr.. Corwin, Mr.. Harrington, Common
tatOr, &c.

uaIOr, &C.
TO the Editors Of the american Telegraph.
GENTLEMEN: AS constant reader Of the
Telegraph have seen the occasional assaults of
your correspondents on Mr.. Corwin, the Secre-
tary of the Treasury. have also seen similar
assaults from other quarters. Being mere
g looker-on" in politics, and taking no part ex-
cept where great principles are involved, con-
fess | have been somewhat surprised at the at
tacks above alluded to and l feel bound to say
that, in all my intercourse in this community,
have never yet heard single individual ex-
press belief in the truth OF the charges made
against Mr.. Corwin, in relation to the Florida
or Mexican claims. This fact is conclusive evil
dence, to my mind, that such charges are ut
terly without foundation, and must be attrib-
uted to some misapprehension on the part OF
those who make them. s.s
In regard to Mr. Corwin's treatment of the
clerks in his Department | know nothing; but,
if he has treated with proper consideration any
Democrats in office under him. it is only follow
ing Mr.. Walkers example in his treatment of
the Wing clerks under him. Mr.. Walker had
nothing proscriptive about him. He has too
much of the milk of human kindness in him to
do injustice to anybody; and | am glad to learn
from one Of your correspondents, that Mr. Cor
win has exhibited similar good qualities. But
it seems to be a matter of complaint against
Mr.. Corwin, that he has promoted to the '..chief
clerkship of the Treasury Department" one who
was +" true and faithful to Mr.. Walker" so much
so, that he allowed him an extra compensation
for extra services The gentleman alluded to,
1 suppose, is Mr.. George Harrington.
"Commentator'' does not state whether Mr..
Harrington is Wing or a Democrat, and
shall not stop to inquire. If he served Mr.
Walker so faithfully, as did also certain Demo-
Gratis spoken of, Mr.. Corwin had reason to in
fer not only their ability to discharge any duty
imposed on them, but also their fidelity to him
as well as to Mr.. Walker. l know Mr. Har-
rington as public officer and not as a par
tizan-and ! am bound to say, that know Of
no one more prompt, more efficient, more capa-
BILE, and more ready to discharge every duty
appertaining to the Office he holds than Mr..
Harrington; and Mr.. Corwin, or any other
Secretary of the Treasury, would feel the loss
most severely, if he should determine to dis
pense with the services of such n man.
As a Democrat, admire the character of Mr..
Walker, and approve of his anti proscriptive
spirit. But still, on the great principle of rev.
enue and Incidental protection to our domestic
industry, like Mr.. Corwin's doctrines better
than the free-trade notions of Mr. Walker.
Without regard to party predictions, there
fore, approve Of what deem correct princi-
Piles wherever find them. On this ground, too,
approve OF President fllimoreS Admlnstra-
ton, because he has shown his determination
to maintain the compromises of the Constitu-
ton, to faithfully execute the laws, and to do
all in his power to hand down to posterity the
Union of the States, as we received ii from our
Revolutionary fathers. | do not, therefore,
admire such attacks upon any member of an
Administration, which is thus engaged in dis
charging its duty to the country, and more es-
pecially when principal ground of complaint
is the keeping in or the turning out of capable
and faithful clerks from Office A DEMOCRAT