The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1859-03-02

affect to believe u.s. that dear as our regulations
are To ourselves it has been no pleasure to US, but
sorrow, TO have 10 Judge harshly, or TO express
unfavorable opinions Of others; and though we
cannot hope 10 retain, entirely unaffected, the
previously existing kind regards Of these indi-
viduals, yet we do not fear their calm judgment !;
and this we claim even where, as is likely, we
have drawn erroneous conclusions. '7G
There are some who have appeared before US as
unwilling witnesses, who have, we believe,
Withheld the whole truth. Had they presented
NIL the facts and explanations In their power,
(which we earnestly desired they should do, our
Iopinious and conclusions might have been mate-
rally changed or modified. IL to such we seem
unjust or too severe, they have none to censure
lor condemn but themselves, ig. Ha
1 We were sustained in our investigations by an
entire unanimity of purpose to examine without
party prejudice, and to Judge and report upon
facts, persons and prineiplessfSom but one stand.
point that Of truth, regardless of personal
friendship and political affinities.
Should the firm enuncation Of our convictions
upon certain measures Of public policy, upon
which political parties have in the past been
divided, appear TO any one to bear partizan
character, we would most earnestly protest
against any such Interpretation of our inten-
ltions. Our political convictions upon these sub
Ieets are too broad and deep to run in the narrow
them, because the developments made, forced US
TO see the great necessity for their immediate
ladoption. Laws against crimes and misdemean-
lors are on the historic page--pfoofs OF the pre-
lexistence of these eVils--fof mankind seldom
provide restrictions against wrongs before any
have been committed Ohio had failed to guard
Its public treasure, and it was despoiled. The
thing to be done was two folds first, TO recover
THE treasure, and second, to put upon the statute
of fho
bery which experience should point out; and it
Twas the latter purpose that has dictated to US the
suggestiens of certain measures and principles.
1t was not for us to object to them because any
class of politicians had hitherto advocated them,
but to adopt them because they are right. .';gi
We beg all to remember that we were directed
to examine into deeds and practices, from two to
twelve years afterthey happened they were
deeds of darkness in their very origin-and that
books and papers, as well as mems memories, do
mot grow stronger and brighter in the progress OF
time but rather weaker and less reliable There
had been just enough investigation to make the
wrong doers more adroit in hiding their acts, and
in inventing most plausible explanations with
(which to mislead their examiners
| The course pursued towards the defaulhDg
Itreasurers, Immediately after the defalcation be
lcame known, was not calculated to diminish the
intricacies of subsequent Investigations. The
three treasurers were all in the city lowering
Iaround the scenes Of their misdeeds, and should
in our opinion, have all been arrested and their
books and papers subjected to the closest seruti
Inv and we cannot we'll be mistaken in the opin
ion that assets and proofs Of their existence would
have been found, making all subsequent examin
Iations comparatively easy. We express this
Iopinion with some degree of hesitancy, but YET
as our decided conviction. We would here say
as we have in the report itself, that we do moi
wish to assume towards any public officer con
cerned in these proceedings mere censorious OF
lhult.inding spirit, much less to pass upon thu
acts of others in spirit Of arrogance or self
suffciency. ao
None know better than we do the difference be
tween being an actor under such circumstances
and reviewer Of the acts done. We appreciate
all the perplexities OF those dark hours and day.
in the history ofithe State, and how liable al
whose duty il was to participate in them, wer'
to mistake the proper course. Our State officer
thad to discharge that most disagreeable of al
tasks, that ofebeing rigid and severe to faller
men, especially where all the surrounding cir
cumstances added to that bitterest of all pang
to see hitherto honored member Of society stant
revealed as false to virtue, truth and honor.
Our proceedings have not been as consecutiv
in time and method as we desired, because w
had other duties which frequently required ou
attention and interrupted our progress. W
we're anxious to report before the meeting of tn
General Assembly, but were prevented from tn
causes named, and also from belief that it wa
for the public interest to delay our report unit
this time, and it will be seen that our view wa
the correct one As there exists no very promi
nent cause for further delay, having taken al
the testimony we deemed necessary at this time
and feeling, in fact satisfied that further della,
would be improper, we have hsstened to prepare
the report, herewith transmitted, which, witt
these introductory remarks, you will be please'
to transmit to the General Assembly.
We remain, respectfully, ,s4
f Your obedient servants ~
H. A! P. EDGERTON,
s9 CHAS. REEMELIN,.
f4 E W.D. MORGAN. ~