Daily Democrat and news. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1859-1864, 1860-04-12
4e,,,ofr;lt aud AeWs.
THURSDAY MoRNINa..... ..APRH IL. $50


Inst and AvelI-T imcd ISf buke.
Il sometimes happens that VIC notice
honor and truthfuIncss IN quarter
where it is least expected. As gen
eral thing, let the Administration dc
what it would, the opposition would i'm
puyn hi. motives aud ma.ign him like a
pick -pocket. Even if the act were a
direct benefit to the entire people, the
unprincipled opponents of Democracy
were bound to sec no good in it; least
wise they refuse to acknowledge it pub
icly. And VIC may here add with much
truth that this miserable, churlish spirit
emanates no: only from those whom VIC
know to be our political opponents, but
with shame We say it, from those who
have adopted the title Of Douglas Dem.
ocrats, in contra distinction to Admins
tration or National Democrats. These
remarks were induced by reading the
extract below in the columns of the New
York Tribune. We copy it into oul
paper with great pleasure, aud pro
nonncc it candid, truthful and essen
TALLY just. Upon these fragrant viola
tons Of law and the rights of individual
citizens which arc being committed by
Mr.. Covode and his as ociate inquisitors
and defamers-among whom We notice
several Douglas men, the structures 0
the Tribune are cmineLtly wcll-timeo
and just. Let the Republicans who
swear by that paper as the only saving
power this side Of the grave, read the
article in question with candor. 1t is
well known that the Tribune is diamet-
ricslly opposed,politically,to those whose
rights Mr.. Covode would trample under
foot, and is the leading exponent of the
party to which Covode belongs. Its re-
buke, therefore, to its own political
friends who are attempting ito make
party capital out Of abuse Of po~er, .
and its manly defence of the "r:ght'
against the doubtful prerogative' arc
forcible, and cannot fail to impress all
men of honor and intelligence with a
sense of their entire justice and pro-
priety:
RIGur AoNxsr PRgRoGAvIvE.-The House
Committee Of Investigation, whereof Mr.. Co.
vode, of Pennsyvania, is chairman, insists, We
learn, that Ar. Schell. OF this city, ,hAll pro-
duce and deliver list in his possession Of con-
tributors in this city to the fund raised here
to carry Pennsylvania for Buchanan at the
October election Of 1855. The Committee it
10 understood, propose to invoke the power Of
the House to coerce Mr. Schel to produce the
paper demanded II they do this, we trust
the House will pause and consider we'll before
taking the action required. Mr.. Schell though
now collector Of this port. was . private cit
izen 10 1856 those who contributed the money
we're likewise mainly private citizens. 1t is
not even in evidence that the money WAS used
improperly, though We presume good part of
1t vas there is Of course no shadow Of proof
that it was contributed by public officers, or
that it came, however crcuitously, out Of the
Federal Treasury. By what right, then, under
what color of reason, do the Committee under
take to constrain Mr.. Schell to give ur this
private paper and blaxen to the world the
names Of private citizens under circumstances
calculated to expose them to odium If they
have been guilty of conspiracy or corruption,
Why not indict and try thsni If the object
u to 6sh out evidence on which to base .
prosecution, We object that the mode 10 illegal,
unconstitutional. and the whole procedure
fraught with danger to the rights Of every
citizen
We speak thus freely. because the .ubiect 10
Of the gravest importance, Will our relation
to the parties in conflict enables US to do so
without exposure to misspprehe nsion. Mr.
Schell and his contributors are our political
sdversariss; the Committee who are pressing
them to the wall are our, political frisnds But
right is right. and this procedure seems to rs
quite another thing. 1t i. an attempt to make
party capital by an abuse of powers dan.
gsrous stretch Of . doubtful prerogative.
The fact may % we'll Be stated that this
whole business OF developing political scandal
BY legislative investigation has already been
about run into the ground. Intelligent. fair
minded men are growing sick Of it. In so far
public functionaries and other recipients Of
public money are required to give an account
Ct their dealings with the Treasury, We up.
hold the claim to the fullest extent Even this
may be abused but it is . salutary, conserva-
tive power. and We rejoice in seeing it fearless
", searchingly exercised. But dragging pri-
vate citizens, or those who we're private citi-
zsns when the acts as to which inquest is made
were committed. before investigating commit
tees to be catechised in secret. under circum.
stances which secure them no protection agains,
Insult. nor against the most inquisitorisl and
impertin.nt peering and pryiug into
into their private concerns. will rot answer
l. NUT either be strictly limited or utterly
stopped.
government Of laws is one thing; gov
eminent by Investigating Committees, will
unlimited discretion, is quite another. W,
greatly prefer the former. and believe few me,
will be found to dissent from our choice.
The CHICAGO NoMlNArloN.-Th
Cincinnati Enquirer thinks it is yer,