Eastern times., 1856-04-17
The Washburn Slsnder.

Our attention has been called to a sDeech Of
Mr. Washhurn, of Maine, made in the House
OF Representatives few days ago. IN which
he said that correspondent Of the New York
Tribune has made the charge, and dared The
Washington Union TO deny il, that before
President Pierce removed Governor Reeder he
proposed to him if he would resign his govern
orship Of Kansas he would give him first
class misson-either that to China OF to Eng
land. Mr.. Washburn said he knew nothing
of this report except that he had seen 1t IN the
New York Tribune, and he had never seen
any contradiction of it by the Union. lie add
ed /: II he (lhe Presidency rendered such an
appointment 10 a man Gov. Reeder) known
by him TO be scoupdrel, then, | submit, he
has himself fathomed depths of degradation
and infamy not only such as the late Governor
of Kansas never explored, but lower than
pummet ever sounded" ii is something
which marks the reign OF black repubcanism
in the House Of Representatives when a mem
ber of that body can so far degrade himself
and dishonor the position he occupies as TO
stand up in his place and repeat the vile false
hoods which daily stream through the col
umns Of the Tribune, disclaim any knowledge
of his own, yet give them currency by repeti-
lion and importance by the influence of his
official standing. aud hope TO escape by the
poor plea that the Washington Union has not
branded the reports as base slanders.
lfthe report alluded TO by Mr.. Washburn
had met our eye when originally made by
correspondent Of the New York Tribune We
should have treated it with the same silent
contempt that we are in the habit OF treating
the similar falsehoods against President Pierce
which are fabricated and circulated through
such vehicles Of deiraction and slander as the
Tribune. Such falsehoods are in no respect
dignified or made worthy Of notice when q
member of Congress lets himself down TO fish
them up from the sewers of degradation and
infamy aud give them currency from his place
in the House, unless in so doing he assumes
the responsibility of endorsing their truth
Whenever Mr.. Washburn makes such =
charge upon his own authority, or specifies a
respectable voucher for the truth Of such ac-
cusations against President Pierce, he will not
have to wait for the denunciatons of the WASH
ington Union to learn whether plummet ever
sounded the depth of his own degradation.
The experience of more than two years has
satisfied US that an intelligent and just people
understand the importance TO be attached TO
such mode Of warfare. We have every as
surance, in the present exalted estimation in
which President Pierce is held by his country
men, that those malignant attacks which have
been kept up unnoticed for two years have
made no injurious impression upon his charac-
ter Now that we have evidence in abun-
dance that this class of his vili6ers is harm
less, we cannot think Of dignifying them by a
formal notice merely because a member Of
Congress puts himself on level with them by
becoming retailer OF their falsehoods on the
floor OF Congress. 1t is one of the amentable
consequences OF the faclious mallgnlty with
which abolitionism wars upon the national
men Of the country that there IS one member
OF Congress belonging 10 this fanatlcal faction
who is not ashamed 10 resort TO weapons OF
warfare which honorable opponents never de-
grade themselves BY using.-Wash. Union.