Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1860-04-03
oficial Corruptions. and the Presidents
"Indisnant Protest"

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Ofacial Oorrupsions, and the Presidents
"Indignant Protest"
We published in yesterdays paper, the "indig-
nsns protest" ef the President at the coaduct Of
the House Of Representatives, based upon the
manner mot so much the fact--of their prncee-
dings instituted to ferret gu, alleged denquencies
and improprietics in his official conduct.
As We Purpose to giro brief recapitulation Of
what has thus far been elected by the evidence of
Wendell before the House Committee. it is proper
to observe, 10 the outset that have very little
confidence in the motives Of tho Black Republican
members who are mos, active in this prosecution ;
and believe that their chief aim Is to manufacture
capital wherewith to influence the oncoming Pre-
sidential election. We believe moreover. that the
extent IL which they pressing this matter, and
the means emuloyed IN effect their pnrpose, nre
unworthy Of one branch Of the government in its
action towards q coordinate branch. 1t Is calcu-
lated not only " degrade the incumbent Of tho
Preside initial office. but the Office itsef IL is pro-
Der and tight that alleged malfeasance in Office
should be investigated; and that the corrup,ons
which, we have no doubt, pervade the whole GO
is force upon us that the House OF Repre.enta-
tives have not pursued the proper course to the
attainment of this end aud the consequences
which might otherwise naturally result from tho
developments to he male, will be neuttazel by
the sympathy elected IN behalf 4 the President.
wha has been male the sui ert Of this int mpe
rate, AM. we might add. ind mt demons ra ion.
All the facts which the iInuse desire to bring
before the country. could have lceu investigated
aud established without seeming To aim specially
at tie Executive. and unnecessarily exposing the
representative If the whole American people.
We could perceive no necessity + r Crvodcs Com
mittee that raised at the e.umen,e cement Of The
session. for the special purpose oI inquiring into
alleged CORRUPTION. Mt the head of which llnskn
Anti. Lrcoaptou Democrat, was placed should
have met every requirement.
In their snper-Se:vctable zeal, the Black Ro
publieans have, theref re, damaged t"cir own
cause, aud have iisgusted all rish,-tbinkns PEG.
pie. To this Ell ent. our syr'ratl.ies with the
President, fur whom, however. we do not Pretend
to entertain the very highest respect. To cur
mind there is SPIT upon the cscutchcon If Mr..
Buchanan. that will grow darker with time. 1t
is ineHaced. and ine6aceabc; and yet, we canuot
make common cause with these Republicans, tho
m st Of VIII IN are converts from Democracy and
sustained Mr.. Buchanan in his unworthy effort o
defeat the noble aspirations Of Henry Clay. We
admit that the President has lowered the dignity.
if not actually rrusttuted the influence Of his of
fee. by nerm"illing in the affairs Of his parisans
in asceding to f,rcel contributions to corrupt
al INN in, .ht,l1 a.,
control, edit, or have any connection with rarti-
sau newspapers;-an anomaly not tolerated in
the earlier and better Administrations, and spe-
cially forbidden by Mr. jefferson himself,
But the fault OF the President consists not so
much in what be has done, as in that which has
been done with his connivance, md to which BIO
has given a taeit consent.
For instance n short time before the publica-
ton of his Fort DuQuesne letter in which no
states we had never heard until recently Of the
employment of money in elections" large sums
being the proceeds profits from the government
printing. used with his implied consent to in.
fuence the elections in his own and other North
era States. In this connection, We suljoin the
evidence OF Wendell, (Democrat,) reror,ed hy
Haskins Committee, to the Houscoi Representa-.
tyes, one day last week.
The lowing questions were put Ny Mr.. Hind
man:
Q. Was there, or WINS there not, propounhed to
yon before the Senate nve-tgatng committee in
curing into this subject. u question II Ibis pur-
port: Whether the President Of rhc United States
and yourself had had any CORES pondence in regard
to the Ut money in the election in any State ?"
and II 81, what was his response upon tho sub.
jecti
A. There was a question of that kind.
u State what your answer was.
A. The answer intend- TO convey was this
that pending the Congressional election Of 1858.
suggested IT, him the suspnrsiun ui the payment
Of this monthly stipend L. the PeansyirdaidH and
Argus. and tn. appropriation OF that monry t,
parry pmrp .es, to he used in different localities
1t was my own suggestion TO him that, in my
Judgement, the money was uselrssly exprn led il
keeping up rfrte papers aud that it could b. used
" better advantages in getuhg out voters, ciIcu
laiing documents and 81. | told lnm mat thought
It would he better for the Ptiy npriy II in lha,
way, and Tint would take the responsibility o
dong II. [a-sumed the responsibility and did it.
he MT Dissenting from that cours,; hut there wer,
no specific directions irum the President to me /,
don't. Ii ~ justice to him tn state that he rad nc
thorzed the payment II certain moneys, at eertai,
rates per annnu,. cat 1T the profits OF the printing
to the "Pmnsyicanian" and to the "Aryuso All,
tHht NHeh this ticttiou Octurieu, /, Acting
the belief have slrsaty stated toJk the resprn
chilly ii max ng this sugse ,ton aud carrying il
out So that the sim blame of stopping VIVA
] always deemed an unjust tax upon me us tn
mechanic perfrnling the work. and of dirccin
the money e. other purposes. II it u stu, rest
upon alone.
@. by the chairman Did the President agree
your suggestion?
A. He did NOT disssst from it,
q. You made the statement you have just give
US 10 hm.
A. did.