Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1859-03-17
Wr. Ready and Mr.. Rell-The Naval In
VestSCaIiOn,

Mr. Ready and Mr.. Rell-The Naval In-
VestiEatiOn.
Mr.. BsIL having sold himself and his party to
the Black Republicans. is determined to inf,ct the
severest PENALTIES upon ell those who refuse TO sub
NIT to iSe humiliating conditions which be has i'm
posed upon them. The Banner Of this city, which
is che chief agent Of his vengeance is already PRE-
pairing the guillOtine for Hon CHAs. READY, who
has bod resisted the mandate Of the great dc
of the Sou bern Opposition, aud has dared TO main
tain tie honor of li- safe al he interests Of BIS
constituency "a opposition to the votes and wishes
of Mr.. Bell and ais aek Republican allies.
So completely are the SYM athies OF Mr.. BELL
and his organ enlisted with their Northern Aboli-
ton friends that they resolved to sustain them
even at the sacrifice Of their own Safe representa-
lives Mr. BELL knows tbst bis hopes Of The Pres
idency must rest with he Black Republicans. He
knows that his party in Tennessee is powerless; and
he is consequently eager to eOnciate Northern sup
port at the sacrifice Of the ablest and most ufden
tal Of his former friends.
In the late Naval Investigation it vas important
for the success of the Abolition cause that the cal
umnies which had been circulated sgsiut the Secre~
rotary Of the Navy, by The Black Republican mem
bers Of the House should be sustained by a
majority of the committee. That committee
consisted of two Democrats enc Fillmore American
mir. READY, and two Black Republicans. (AIe,srs
SHERMAN and Richie No committee was ever
organized more impartial plan. Only two of
its members were Democrats, while two of them
we're among the most bitter, INSCRIPTIONS and I'M
compromising enemies Of the administration. Mr..
READY, the filth member Of the comuite was op.
posed, as cur readers know, TO the election of Mr..
BUCHANAN, and was net likely to be sWayed by any
feelings of fasori ism Partially for the Dsme5ra>
oy After laborous and rigid investigation, in
the course Of which the enemies Of the Administers
tion raked every sink Of corruption and crime for
charges against the Secretary of the Navy, Mr..
READY united with Mr.. BooocK and Mr. GRoEsBECK
in acquitiog the Secretary of all blame in the prem
isCs This act has brought upon him the fierce
wrath of the Ball organs, already burning with
rage at his re5ellous course on the Kansas bill and
the LscOmpion constitution Such refractory con-
duct can no longer be tolerated by he ex Ex-senator
ana his organ. '.Of with his head is The man
dae of Mr. BELL. So much for Buckingham" is
the Banes response, as it proceei is to execute the
sentence. The malice of Mr. BELL and his abolition
allies has been defeated, and he sufer for his
obduracy. This Is tae head and front of Col READys
offence. He has refused TO sanction The foul SLAMS
ders which al abolition caucus originated, to break
down the administration, and to cast odium upon
the friends of the constitution. He must fall a
victim to the vengeance Of the enemies Of the Dem
OOratc party and Of the South.
Il would be difficult to account for the course Of
the Banner, in describing the testimony of the ma
jOrity of the committee and accepting the statements
of partisan Black Republican minority, any
other ground than a disposition the part of MIR.
BELL and his followers testify their atject and alb
solute subservency their sectional allies at the
North Why should the Banner Otherwise attempt
to dscreiit the testimony of Mr. READY, gentle
whom that paper supported for Congress, and
eudeavor 10 produce the impression that he has
deliberately attempted to over up corruption and
fraud for unworthy purpsse?" Why should he
Banner accept the testimony of such men as SHEA-
MAN and RITCHIE-open and svowed anti slavery
meu-in preference TO the testimony Of an honor
able and upright representative of its own party
confirmed by the concurrent evidence Of Southern
Democrat and a sound national man from the North
unless the Banner feels that the political fortunes Of
It's flvorte leader is identified with the Black Re-
publican party? There is nothing in the fscs IS
presented in the reports, TO justify the Banners
conclusion that the majority have attempted Ito
white-wasb the cO-duct CT The Secretary" for San
unworthy purpose" Az uuprejudiced mind would
have arrived at a very different opinion fro care
Jul investigation of the case. The malignty of the
minority appears in every line of their report while
the majority furhi.h clear, candid statement of the
facts developed in their Investigations The Banner
however, adopts the conclusions Of the minority and
repeats charges against the Secretary of The Navy
which we're proved 10 be unfvunded before the com>
miltee.
The specific ground Of the Banners attack on the
Secretary in its article Of yesterday is the award
ing Of contract % Merrick Sons, of Philadelphia
for furnishing machinery for slOop-Of-war, then
building st the Philsjeiphia navy yard. Our cou~
temporary is filed with indignation at Mr. ToUcEY's
conduct in this matter and berates him in language
which is worthy Of the fish market The Banner
having collected all the ammunition whicrthe Black
Republican minority report furnished fires away at
the administration in the following explosive SEN
tences:
This iniouitous scheme for importing voters in
Tloreuce's District Two weeks before The election,
aud for awarding contract with special reference
political effect, succeeded, of course, by the direct
and open approval Of Secretary TOucey, AID with
she completely, if not the positive command, of the
President"
So says the BlaRer Now listen 10 the calm and
candid statement Of the mejority of the committee,
which contemporary, in his w.a;h, overrides and
tramples under foot.
Oac Of he contracts was awarded 10 Merrick &
Sons Their bid next ~ the lowest Of seven
Que was only tour Thousand dollars lower, and some
bids about forty thousand dollars higher. It fur
Their appears that the plan CT the bid which was |
lower was condemned by every member of the !
board, and the plan Of Merrick Sons vas approx !
ed by every member Of j.. Merick Sons are not |
politicians and undertake to Influence their |
Workmen Tc0 Of The three iacllHs TO the opposition
In connection with this, letter from Colonel Pat /
Iersou TO the President recommending the firm, not
for this particular contract for they bid for many
was exhibited; but il fully appears from the estinO
ny generally and the statement OF the Secretary of
the Navy, that the President took no part in it
made recommendation of any bid fer this or any
other contract during mis- Administrations but mere
ly in the coure Of business, as was shown By the
testimony, referred this letter by the common and
usual endorsement, TO the Navy Department to
which the subject properly belonged; the practice
being 10 refer letters business 10 the proper De-
,ortro,tB
7Rs committee 10 the conclusion that The action
Of the Seeretary Of The Nary has been jadcious and
l. l.. ,s,., u ~.,g., - ..rls |