Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1860-08-08

designs TO 'dry up their tears" occasioned by the
fear Of a ''divisiOn in the Democratic ranks"
All his plans and purposes for efFecting schism
in the Democratic party through years Of prepare
ton were now perfected. A large portion of the
party under the guidance Of M. BELL. and in the
belief taught by him. that they were not deserving
the Democratic party, but only exercising choice
between men, were committed TO the support Of
Judge WHTE. Their prejuaices and passions were
artfully played upon until one SO well conyersant
with the weakness OF human nature as Air. BELL
could see that there was no retreat From this mo
ment he threw off the mask and played the hero.
He arraiened Gen. JACKSON upon high charges-he
sought to bIacken his illustrious Administration
he caunniated and tradueed his friends in language
that must necessarily be d;sgraceful to those to-
wards whom it employed or disgraceful to
him who employed 1.-THE stirred up partzan strife
and an amnesty between men hitherto processing
the same principles and supporting the same party,
unprecedented in political warfare-he continued
his efforts to overthrow and destroy the wholesome
influence of the old sage and patriot of the Hermit
age until that great and good man. having completed
his mission upon earth, fcrgiving the wickedness
and despsing the weakness Of those who had so long
traduced him. closed his eyes in death and went to
that final account which must pass upon the actions
Of all men.
That we may not be regarded as doing Mr.. BELL
injustice we propose at the risk of being tedious
the reader, to note briefly some of these assaults
which were finally summed up before an ISvEsnGAT-
ING COMMITTEES, instigated BY the enemies of Gen.
JACKSON in Congress- to defame his Administration,
which was soon to expire. This Committee was
] .lso .; Al,
g. 1887, upon charges OF corrupt tiolation Of duty;
in abusing legal authority in cOrruptig and sub
sidizng the public press in retaining corrupt and
fraudulent officers in place, knooing their malfeas-
snce and malyersation in Office; in appointing and
payingj agents of various descriptions in making
| unjust and exhorbitant allowance for services to
political favorites in paying = treasury warrant
which was gambled away by disbursing officer
| in allowing an account which had virtually been
disallowed and then paying it after its allowance
had Eeen forged without causing the offender to be
prosecuted; in specuations on the officers of the
| Government and on the public property; in inter
fering with the proceedings of Congress in an i'm
proper manner turning deaf ear to compliments
against dishonest and corrupt subordnaes and per-
hitting inferior officers to hold their offices under
the President after they had proved to be guilty of
dishonest and corrupt practices"
Such were the charges upon which Gen. JACKSON
and his administration were arraigned before the
world, through the instrumentality of Mr. BELL and
his confederates-charges (which the committee say
in their report they can view in no other light
| than preliminary measure to ascertain whether
there were sufficient grounds to justify process OF
IMPEACHMENT charges, which, if true, would have
dishonored the President and driven him in disgrace
from the Executive mansion.
The resolution fixing the duties of this committee
was enclosed by the chairman in note to the Pres
| ident to which he promptly replied
'If after all the severe accusations contained II
| the various speeches of yourself and your associ
ates YOU are unwilling of your accord TO bring
specific charges, then will request your committee
TO call Yourself and your associates and every other
| member of Congress who has made the general
charge of corruption, to testify before God and our
| country. whether you they know OF any specific
| corruption or abuse of trust in the executive de
partments and if SO. what Is If you are able t.
noiut TO any case where there is the slightest
son to suspect corruption or abuse OF trust no OBJ
| etaele which ] can remove shall be lnterposed &c
prevent the fullest scrutiny by all legal means. The
offices of all the departments will be opened to you
and every proper facility furnished for this pur
pose"
Mr. BELL was summoned before that Committee &c
make good his charges against Gen. JACKSON and
his Administration and the following question asked
him:
act by either of the heads of the Executive Depart
] ments which is either corrupt a violation OF
/ their official duties? ;"
To which he replied
a. am summoned before Committee of my fell
low-members of the House, 4 majority of whom are
hot no ends md
advocates of those who responsible for the up
right and faithful administration of the Government
and put upon my trial IoE having dared to say in my
place in the House that abuses and corrupuons had
| been practised in several branches of the public
service But it is also manifest from the tenor of
the letter addressed by the President to the Chair
man of the Committee that he has suggested that
| and others should be summoned to testify; and we
are denounced by him. in advance, as the authors OF
'unfouuded calumnies. unless we can specify some
act of corruption or some violation of official duty
| known to u.s. Of our own personal knowledge"
| The impression is current and general that a man
| who dares to make a direct ISSUE right or wrong
| upon any matter of complaint with the President
must 90 down in public estimation. Yet through
this Committee at his suggestion, as appears both
from his own letter and the statement of member
! of the committee, | an compelled to make sucIt au
issue with him, if know anything in the course Of
the eight years of his Administration which think
either corrupt illegal, although may be of opn-
ion that no public good will result from the disclo
sure
81 therefore, protest against the course of the com
mitee in subjeCting to such an examination, as
| private injury a gross personal injustice, and an
act, in its consequences to me oppressive, tyrann
cal and without any sufficient ground of public In
terest ornecessty to justify il"
| "Yet as | am of the opinion that the UNJUST un
constitutional oppressive and personal objects in
tended to be effected by the author of this proceed
| ing (Gen. J.) and the public injury consequent
! thereupon would be rather promoted than defeated
| by my silence, think proper, under all these cir
cumstancss, to waive all my privileges, whether
| attaching to me a citizen or member OF Congress
and to answer according to my best Judgments rs to
all questions of mere opinion and according to the
best of my knowledge Information and belief, as to
all matters of fact except so far as may THINK prop
er to withhold any matter OF private confidence, or
| the names of those from whom may have received
material information"
Thereupon Mr. BELL proceeded to answer:
| l. | consider every appointment or employment
made or conferred by the President, or any of the
heads of the Executive Departments as the consider
alton of services and influence in any election, a
gross violation of official duty. belisre that most Of
The appointments made Of late loere made chiefly 1Ch
that nOtiUe believe the public interest and service
| have been regarded minor and subordinate con-
| siderations by the appointing power and coEse-
| 0uently much mischief has ensued IN several
branches of the public service. In fine, | regard
! the abuses and corruptons which now exist, or
have heretofore existed in an extraordinary degree
i under the present Administration. whether IN the
Post Office Department, the Military service, in the
management of the public funds or the Indian De-
| partment as the results mainly of the unsOund and,
| to my mind. dangerous principles upon which the
patronage of the Government has been dispensed by
! the appointing power.
2 The interference of the President, and other
public officers with his knowledge and cOnnivance,
| in elections believe TO be one of the most mis-
chievous and dangerous practices OF the existing
| Administration.
3. | believe there has been gross violation of
official duty under the present Administration IN the
appointment by the President or the heads of De-
partmeu;s. of numerous officers agents of the
DEPARTMENTS and in anneXing to such appointments
stated salaries and allowances. without authority
or warrant of law. might add that many Of those
apoiaaets appear to haze been nude much mOret for the
purpose of providing situations and employment for the
dDdres or unfortunate applicants for such favOrs,
nan 10 sltpply ana actual demand OF The public service,
or tea dUallce the public interest
4. Concerning the Creek war, Mr.. BELL preferred
charges of similar practices against Gen. JACKSON
and his administration. concluding follows:
81 therefore feel well warranted in my own
mind in attributng to the iD1becjlitg CULPABLE
LECr. or the CORRUPTION of the Administration,