Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1860-06-09


The Covods Committee.
This notorious committee which has for some time
past been actively engaged in dsgracing the majority
Of its members is now receiving the same degree Of
scorn from the nation which all fair minded men in
Congress had already awarded it. Wherever they
could hear Of dollar having been subscribed by
any Democrat for the purpose of publishing and
circulating Democratic documents. witnesses were
subpmnaed to establish the fact and il was immedi
atey sent forth with electric speed by Black Re
publican reporters as evidence Of damning cOrrup-
ton on the part of the Democracy. Not content
with that, every Judas who has been kicked from
the purlieus Of the government by Democratic
administration has been vomlted forth from the
DER cloyed cutters Of Black Republication to
mouth at these, the hem Of whose garments
would be soied by the touch Of such witnesses. On
the contrary when Gov. WEsLOw Of North CarOlina,
than whom there does not live man of purer pub
lie or private character, has asked to have witnesses
to prove the frauds Of those who have teen busy
in this CovoDE investigation, he has been refused
He has had 10 appeal from Mr.. CovODE and his col
leagues Of the majority on that committee to the
House of Representatives. The Constitution says !:
Il is only necessary to read the debate il the
House Of Representatives on Friday and Saturday
Of last week on Governor WEsLow motion, to be
entirely convinced of the baseness and iniquity Of
the purpose which the CovoDE committee was de-
signed to attain; the unparalleled mahgnity and
injustice Of the motives which actuated those who in
stituted it, and the reckless abandonment of every
principle Of honesty fair-dealing, and truth which
hos characterized its proceedings.
from the first Nr. COvODE and those who share
ms views must have been convinced that all allega-
tons Of corruption and impropriety Of conduct
against the President and his Administration were
devoid of any foundation in truth. It was deemed
essential however, to the success Of the Black Re
publican party in the ensuing contest to bacen the
character Of the Democratic Administration and OF
the Democratic party. II it were found impossible
to discover any facts TO effect this object, means
might be forged to give some color to the charges
which their orgnators knew to be ISLANDERS Of the
= foulest description. 1t calculated that disap
pointed ofHce-seekers, degraded aHd dismissed EN-
ployees, malignant enemies of the Administration
professional witnesses ready to testify to anything
however false if they were only paid for their test
mony and convicted swindlers and prOiigates, nigh
be found in sufficient number who, under expert
enced tuition. would sustain on oath any SANDER
which partisan malice might originate against tn
Executive and the Democratic party. A drag ne
was spread over the entire continent to catch ever
reprobate who was willing to swear to any calumn.
against the Administration ; and every annonynou
letter writer and forger who would suggest an in
famous charge or insinuatlon found 10 difficulty i
having his suggestions and insinuations adopted
acted on and published through the columns of in
famous presses as proofs against the Chief Magis
trate and Democrats Of the highest standing an
unsullied integrity.
The instrument by which this infamous consp
racy was 20 be carried on and by which the string
Of this drag net were to be pulled. well choser
A man TO whom nature had deued the means Of be
ing famous but whose disregard for honor. tru /
and morality afforded him ample means Of becomin
notorious was the proper person to direct so das
tardy an inqusition and the proceedings Of tire las
four months afford the most conclusive evidence c
the entire fitness of the choice. Every disgrace
and fatless public servant who has been dismisse
from Office has been hunted for found, and brough
here at the expense Of the people aid allowed {
insiuuate charges affecting the Official AMI persona
integrity of the highest officers Of the Government
Men whose testimony would not be received in
court of justice in the most trivial aiiectin
person or property, were sent for, and allowed t
assall by innuendO the reputation Of those whom tn
people had hon1rea with the most important trust
IN their gift. Every day, the testimony of these me
has been communicative know not by whom
although we have our suspicious to the unscrupu
louscOrrespondeuts of artsannewspapers to be pei
verted and published over the length and breadth
the land as facts sworn to by persons worthy c
credit Ifany witness gave evidence which tcnde
to defeat the object Of the inquiry, by exposing tn
and tortured as to bear totally different constru,
ton from that which it truly bore. Every artifc
INSCRIPTIONS malice could suggest has been en-
pOyed to attain the de ired end of the Black Repul
ican mquisitors. and every request which the Den
ocratic members Of the committee have made wit
view to fair ,aiiug and honest investigation, ha
been denied or ignu ed.
The p ublic owe a deep debt Of gratitude to Gov
ernor WNsLow for having exposed this Black RI
publican attempt to traduce private and Ofici'
character. and practice cheat upon the community
Most ably has the honorod member from Mort
Carolina discharged his duty. he proved that fC
the last three months he has vaiuly endeavcred I
induce the chairman Of the Coyode Committee
7ttAAlAllN-l fts>sGe NLloee llSlALLLON AZ
his Democratic colleague on the committee az
BoBNsoN) deemed essential; that his repeated d
mands have been disregarded; that numbers Of wi
uesses were summoned without any knowledge
the fact by him or Mr.. RoBlNsoN and that if Il
House permitted this course to be pcrscvered in /
Mr. CovoUE and his associates. the most clemeutar
rules Of simple justice would be set at nougf
When this disgraceful conduct was thus formal
brought before the House and the public. what w.
the defence Of CoyoUE2 1t was that as the indivl
uals designated by Gov. WNsLow could not testi
arainstthe Government, he saw no use in summon,
tbcm! This is the substance ofhisdefe Thisis Il
only inference fairly deducible from his statemer
Was ever so disgracefnl statement made by al
man occupying the position OF a member of Co
aress. and claiming to be considered as an hon,
man. He could find money and means to SUNNI
thedefamelr and false accusers Of the Goyernmc
lint his love Of economy, and care tor the treasui
forbade his sammoning those witnesses whose
dence might rebut and show the true character
the testimony adduced to crininate the highest ?,
Tic functouary in the land and the members OF
Cabinet. CoFoDE was quite willing to " shell on