Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1860-09-29
Ihs Standard.
Mr. BELLS ATTACK Upon GEN. JACKSON.

Mr. BELLS ATTACK Upon GEN. JACKSON
Presidential intrigues engaged Mr. Bells atten-
ton long ago. Early in Gen. Jacksohs second term
Mr. Bell then a member Of the House, was busy
looking after his own political prospects frolesS
ing admiration Of the President WHO was SHOWN ~
prefer Mr.. Van Buren, his successor hI pen
feened frien0nes TO that statesman and hhted lha'
The s.o.c;ors ~,,o,i;icans" of Tennessee were IN
his favor simultaneously, as was subsequently
d;sroverad Mr. Rel was making love to COL Jonn-
SON and nreSsing him to become the uen1oeIa'iG
candidate. A third gentleman shared ms anec-
tjons-Judge White at the period Senator nom
tennessee, and a warm supporter of Gen. Jacksons
Incarceration This species of coguetry could
not last long. Mr.. Bell was compelled to concen-
trate his preferences, which were finally liked upon
Judge white: still taking care, however, to abstain
from omen opposition 10 Gen jackson. Az the
time, indeed he ranked himself amongst the friends
of the Administration General JACKSON, he
said in = speech delivered at Nashville, has been
eminently successful and triumphant in all his mea-
sures" and he proceeded to dilate upon the happy
consequences of his great success" But the Gene
raj was too shrewd an observer to misapprehend
Mr.. Bell whose profeSsed fidelity to the democratic
party and its principles sunk below par in the light
Of his intrigues for the Speakership-
Defeated in his manRuvring to control the Presl-
Dental nomination, Mr. Bell threw off all disguise
From the fulsome euogist he was suddenly convert
ed into the vindictive assailant of Gen. jackson,
whom he accused of a prostitution of executive
power and whose administratlon-whlch he had
Just pronounced " great success he stigmatIzed
as imbecile, culpaby negligent and corrupt He
charged the President with abuse OF the appoint
ing power. with squandering the public money,
with unduly controlling Congress, and, generally
with all manner of executive msdoing. So rank
was the corruption-aceording to Mr.. Bell-that
nothing short of the impeachment of the old hero
could satisfy the country.
Mr.. Bells sweeping accusations were turned to
prompt account ~ the enemies Of the Administra-
tioU Inquiry was insisted upon, and committee
of the House was appointed to investigate the
charges 1t was the Coyode committee of that day.
appointed for partisan purposes upon the strength
of imputatons which lacked everything like preci-
sion. Gen. Jackson met his accusers manfully.-
He demanded specific charges, and courted and de-
fed investigation.
The committee proceeded with its business, end
called Mr. Bell as witness to substantiate his
charges. The question was addressed to him. " DO
you, of your own knowledge, know of any act, by
the President or either of the heads of the Execu
tive Departments, which is either corrupt or vio
laton Of their official duties 2" Mr.. Bell replied in
the negative After all his talk, he was compelled
to confess that he knew nothing that could justify
the charge of corruption. The most he ventured
to express was his belief" OF actual, tangible
facts he had not one The report Of the committee
exhibits him, and others like him, in attitude
which no honorable man could be coaxed to occupy.
We quote passage from the report as it appears
in the Appendix to Gales Seaton's Register, vol.
IL, part 2, page 1879:
"They Mr. Bell and other members of Congress-
were called upon the best source to furnish the
committee with proofs with the names Of wit
nesses; and, instead of doing so, they make COM
plants against the committee and the President
if they were the authors of the charges, the
of the resolution of inquiry, aud the promoters of
this whole question Of investigation. They testify
to corrupt act that they know, but to much that
they have been informed of and verify believe
but give no names of informers, nor witnesses who
know the alleged acts Of corruption in official duty"
The result was as hattering to General jackson
as it discreditabe to Mr.. Bell. The President
triunphantly indicated; his accuser sank into
the position of convicted beler ready to sacri-
fee friends he had proved himself tG be to aban-
don his principles for the sake of political advance
ment
This chapter in Mr.. Bells history is certainly not
calculated to convince the country that he should be
elected President in blind reliance upon his charac-
ter, and without any reference to the principles
with which he is identified. 1t strikes us that he
has shown himself little too keen and little too
INSCRIPTIONS in the pursuit of Office to be accepta-
bic on any terms.-Hdsh. Constituti0n.