The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-10-18
WASHIN GTON
The Gardiner Claim "A Precedent from
Democratic Practice.

The Gardiner Claim-A Precedent from
Democratic Practice.
The Union is still anxious to prove that the
Democratic members of the House committee
on the Gardiner claim failed to do their duty.
Their report declares that MIR. CoRwlN stands
freed from all suspicion of having known that
the claim was fraudulent, or that 1t was sup
ported by false testimony or forged papers.
They recapitulate the evidence adduced before
them to show the nature and the beginning
and the end of Mr.. CoRwIN's connexion with
the claim; and having done this, they af-
firm, substantially, that the charges preferred
against him by political and personal ad-
versaries have not been sustained. The de-
cison of the committee cannot be imPugned on
the ground of political alliances, for majority
of the members are his opponents; nor can 1t
be attributed to forbearance," as some have
insnuated, for with the evidence, as presented
in the report, no other conclusion was open to
the committee than that which they have pro-
pounded With their opinion on record in his
favor, fortified by the testimony of many wit
nesses, Mr.. CoRwIN can we'll afford to disre-
gard the extra-judicial airs of the Union, Its OBJ
stnate adherence to positions not warranted by
facts, and its endeavors to mystify and misrep-
resent the case to his prejudice. The commit
tee, with character at stake, and with sense
of responsibility to the country, acquitted him.
The Union in Its capacity Of Democratic or
gan, may be ready to pervert any thing for the
benefit Of the Democratic cause; but in this In
stance it's labors tend only to stutify and to be-
little its Democratic friends.
There is one issue not comprised in the in
Union dwels with singular complacency. |,
alleges that Mr.. CoRwIS was guilty Of impro-
prety in having, as Senator, accepted any
interest in claim against the Government ;
and having twisted this accusation into half Z
dozen different shapes, our contemporary man
ifests great anxiety ''to go to the country uPor
it, as the test question between the Wing anc
Democratic parties. The feeling Of the Union
in this respect will be fully appreciated. Every
body will readily understand that in its present
desperate strait, the Union will gladly make
or accept any issue that promises chance Of
which block up General PIERoE's path to the
Presidency. Without losing sight of them, il
is worth while to glance at the advantages
likely to accrue to the Democracy from dis
cussion of the point newly invoked by ,hei
organ.
Mr.. PoLK's administration, which furnished
the country with so many Democratic agents
under the guise of office-holders, has left u!
one notable example bearing directly upon TIT
question raised by the Un,on. Mr.. DALLAS i:
that example. Not Senator, but the Presi
dent of Senators-not professional agent, bu
Vice President of the United States-his
course in the matter of claims will amply re-
pay the closest scrutiny. Here is an item
from his history:
Mr.. DALLAS, while Vice President, and as
Of the Senate, officiated as agent for claim pre-
ferred by Mr.. CHARLES F. SIBBALp against the
Government. In this capacity Mr.. DALLA:
urged the claim before department of the Gov
eminent. In due time the claim passed, and hi
received his proportionate fee. So far, we think
Mr.. FILLMoRE's administration. But, unfor
tunately for the Democratic Vice President
the whole has not been told. Mr.. DALLA
was not only Vice President, but also near con
nexion of the then SECRETARY OF THE TREA
sURY, by whom the claim was paid on the Sd O.
March, lS49! One day before leaving office
Mr.. DALLAS received from the Treasury, IRE,
sided over by his connexion, Mr.. WALKER
the gain which he (Mr. DALLAs) derived as
agent for a claim which he had prosecuted
against a Government of which he was
member!
The difference between this case and that OF
Mr.. CoRw1N is most obvious. Mr.. CoRwIN, i,
is true, did engage as counsel whilst he was a
member of the Senate, for which he had the
most ''illustrious" examples in Democratic
Senators, but he ceased having any connection
with the case in any way long before even q
decision was made in the case, and of course
still longer before any money was paid from
the Treasury; nor did he ever receive one dol
lar Of the money thus paid.
If our allegation as regards Mr.. DALLAS il
not specific enough to satisfy the Union, w
will cheerfuly supply further particulars or
another day. Mr.. DALLAS, besides having
been Vice President under Mr.. Polk, is ar
active Democrat under General PIERCE; anc
his transactions as claim agent while a mem
Der Of the Government are therefore worthy o
the closest examination. The hints we give
to day will serve the Union for a starting
point. By and bye we shall be better able t.
decide which party profits by the comparison.
The Elections in Pennsylvania and Ohio
The very rational exposition Of our intelli-
gent Baltimore correspondent with respect tc
the recent elections in Pennsylvania and Ohio
as contained in his letter published this morn
ing, claims, and will doubtless receive, the at