Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1856-08-04
From the Washington Union. Nov. 4, 1855.
Levyinx Black Mail.

"WHo WILL Nor Alb A Coon CAUSE.-THE
Know-Nothing papers are excessively indignant
because a collection was raised in one of the De-
partments Of this city for the purpose Of assisting
the Democratic cause in the city of Baltimore at
the approaching election, and grave charges are
hurled against one OF the chiefs Of the Department
alluded to for his e1ertions in recommending these
contributions We confess that aoe see no grievoas
harm in all this matter. The administration of
General Pierce is committed, in the most decided
and open manner, to the principles which the IA
natics of the Know Nothing lodges are assailng.
The success of these principles are important to
she perpetuty OF our institutions. They are i'm
portant to the honest administration OF the gov
ernment-they are important to the protection of
the rights Of the States and of the rights of the
citizens. They are important to the cause Of
law and order, and we do not see why gentlemen
attached to such an administration should not
contribute all honorable means to counteract the
violence OF organized mobs in great cities, whose
chief end and aim is to subvert those principles
Some Of the Know Nothings think the contri-
button referred to was intended to purchase votes,
when the fact is notorious, that It was intended
simply to provide conveyances for such persons as
are temporarily employed in this city, but legal
voters in Baltimore. Hundreds and thousands Of
men not in office-men who toll for their living at
hard labor-give not only literally of their money,
Out Oh their Lne, 10 uSSi5t the BTcdt cause VI JO-
Grafton and Democracy. There Is scarcely town
or a township in this wide Union in which men are
not to be found of this character. Nobody accuses
them of corrupt purposes and we cannot see why
any such accusations should be regarded for mo-
ment when made against persons holding office
under a Straightforward and straightoat Demo
cratic administration.
"Those who are not for as IN this fight are
against ns Men pho doubt ~ times of trial like
this should be made to give aoay to men who do'not
doubt but who believe that the success of the De-
mocratic party in the coming elections, as well of
this year as of 1885, is essential TO the preservation
of tie Union. We therefore heartily commend
Mr.. Washington, of the Treasury Department, for
his activity and energy in the contribution alluded
to, and we hope the good example may be followed
throughout the Union"
The above was the official defence of Peter G..
Washington, Assistant Secretary Of the Treasury
whom we charged, day or two previous to the
date OF the article above quoted, with levying
black mail upon the employees of the Treasury
Department. Wereproduce this article just now
to show that the present administration regards
such a system of taration as just and proper
opments of one Charles James Faulkner, M O., it
becomes the more important to fasten these black
mail leves upon the administration. The Union
of August compliments the Democracy upon the
fact that 5000 Democratic documents are daily
sent out from this city, the expenses of which are
betrayed from black mail evies--a corruption
fund