Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1860-10-03
The STANDARD.
O. Z q. ~ A..ts ssl-.l5 X >
[R. BELLS ATTACK UPON GEN. JACKSON

Mr.. BELLS ATTACK UPON GEN. JACKSON.
Presidential intrigues engaged Mr.. Bells atten-
ton long ago. Early in Gen. Jacksons second term
Mr.. Bell, then a member of the House, was busy
looking after his own political prospects. Profess
ing admiration Of the President, WHO was known to
prefer Mr.. Van Buren, as his successor, Mr.. Bell
fcgned en0lness To that statesman and limited that
1.-The sagaciors politicians" Of Tennessee were in
his favor. Simultaneously az was subsequently
discovered Mr.. Bell was making love to Col. John
son, and pressing him 10 become the democratic
candidate third gentleman shared his affec-
tions-Judge White ut the period Senator from
Tennessee and warm supporter OF Gen: Jackson's
Administration. This species Of coquetry could
not last long. Mr.. Bell was compelled to concen-
trate his preferences, which were finally fixed upon
Judge White still taking care however, to abstain
from open opposition to Gen. jackson. At the
time, indeed he ranked himself amongst the friends
of the Administration. General JACKSON, he
said in speech delivered at Nashville, "has been
sures" aud 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 professe, fidelity to the democratic
party and its principles sunk below par in the light
Of his intrigues for the Speakcrship.
Defeated in his maneuvring to control the Presi-
Dental nomination, Mr.. Bell threw off all disguise.
From the fulsonie eulogst he was suddenly convert
ed into the vindctive assaant of Gen. jackson,
whom he accused of prostitution of executive
power. and whose administration-whch he had
Just pronounced "great success "-he stigmatized
as imbecile, culpably negligent and corrupt. He
charged the President with an abuse of the appoint
ing power, with squandering the public money,
with unduly controlling Congress, and, generally,
with NIL manner of executive misdoing. So rank
was the corruption-according 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 ny the enemies of the Administra-
ton Inquiry was insisted upon and a committee
of the House was appointed to investigate the
charges 1t was the Covode committee Of that day,
appointed for partisan purposes upon the strength
of imputatons which lacked everything like preci-
sion. Gen. Jackson met his accuscrs manfully.-
He demanded specific charges, and courted and de-
fed investigation.
The committee proceeded with its business, end
called Mr.. Bell as witness to substantate 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-
lation Of their official duties?' 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 an 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.
l3, part 2, page 1888:
"They Mr.. Bell and other members of Congressl
were called upon as the best source to furnish the
committee with proofs or with the names of wit
nesses; and instead Of doing so, they make CON-
plants against the committee and the President as
if Mey were the authors of the charges, the
of the resolution of inquiry, aud the promoters of
this whole question Of investigation. They testify
to no 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 fattering to General jackson
as it was dscreditabe to Mr.. Bell The President
was triumphantly vindcated; his accuser sank into
the position Of convicted ibeler as ready to sacr-
fee friends as he had proved himself te 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. Wash. Constitution