Daily Iowa State Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1856-1859, 1858-07-03

State of Iowa Vs. John Ely and DR.. J. B.
McKehan, which came of yesterday before
G. G. Blood, Esq, we have few remarks
to make. In the outset we would mention
that We were requested in common with
the balance of the Editorial fraternity of
this city, by Mr.. Stuart, Prosecu ting Attor-
ney, and those connected in filing informa.
ton. not to publish any of the testimony
given in the case, which We promised not to
do; and for the best OF reasons imaginable
there being none to give-we desist.-
Neither have We ought to say of the guilt or
innocence of the accused, for whether they
are really innocent or guilty is no matter of
ours at present; but there are some matters
in connection with the transaction of which
We feel bound to speak, and upon whic we
shall place the seal of condemnation We
allude to the unwarrantable and unpardon.
able manner in which a highly respectable
family has been implicated and dragged be-
fore the public, by certain unprincipled
individual who was foremost in the work of
prosecution. However strong his zeal
might be in thus attempting to ferret out
rascality and bringing offenders to Justice
however arduous may be his labors in vim
dicating the cause of honesty, and aiding in
carrying out our salutary laws; and how
ever honest, high minded and scrupulous he
may have always been in his daily walk
and intercourse with his fellow man, with
the public, and most of all with his God !;
however true and magnanimous may have
been his motives in all matters, and this in
particular, We claim that for once, at least
once in his life, he overstepped the bounds
of common decorum, and transcribed with
high-handed abandonment the plainest dc
tates of decency. and laid himself open at
least now, to public disapproval and COM
mon indignity.
The matter we allude to is the manner in
which certain family-an unprotected
widow and her daughters were dragged be-
fore the public as unprincipled, hardened
manner in which two young ladies were ar
rested, while on their way to this city, and
subjected to disgraceful search, and We
speak of the blasting of the fair and spot
less reputation of q family circle against
which no one has been bold enough to
breathe word of suspicion. In fine, what
has Mrs. Wolf or her daughters been guilty
Of, that their names should be mentioned
in this late affair. Who have they injuredl
who offended! What law have they brok-
en- or what rule of decorum have they
overstepped that they are thus to be
pounced upon by man who has a vague
ill-founded suspicion that some person who
has lived in this family, and ate at their
table, has been engaged in passing counter
felt money. None whatever. We chal-
lenge the whole population of Davenport to
bring up one instance Of breach Of the law
or etiquette on their part. Not only has
their private conduct been without spot or
blemisk, but their standing in the Churches
with which they are respectively connect
ed has ever been unquestionabe In this
connection we would appeal to the generous
public that its ears be closed to all such
base born, fiendish insinuations, and that
that family which has thus been so basey
wronged, receive as heretofore full conf
dence and est eem of all who bear their ac-
quaintance. We may not at this time en-.
ter into detail as to how this house was
searched, how the mother was accused to
the very teeth, of having brought home
from Ohio thousands Of dollars of counter
felt money, and of having it secreted about
her house nor need We speak of the man
ner in which the two young ladies were
arrested on the cars, their keys, checks for
baggage, and even their recticules taken
from them, and that without any shadow Of
authority and they brought to this city and
subjected to the disgrace of search nor
need we speak Of this act as being subject
to civil ifnot criminal prosecution in conrt
Of justice all these points are already
known. and known only to be branded as
they area base outrage.
Hereafter We may have more to say on
this point, and We shall freely do so, let the
consequences be what they may. No such
unfounded implication of honest persons !;
no such assaults upon virtue and purity
shall pass unheeded by us. no matter when
or upon whom the blow falls. Itis enough
to deal with those who are able to defend
themselves, always letting alone defenceless
women-at least those whose characters are