Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1866-06-28

DeluS WdScu Will lCuoupiOu sAO
lence and acrimony, when calam
ity occurred that, for months and
months, destroyed the repose of
the President. Ithad been charg
ed time and again, that if the pub.
lie could but obtain access to the
archives of the Treasury Depart
ment, astounding disclosures of Of
fetal peculation, bribery and cor
ruption, and all kinds Of iniquity,
would be brought to light, and
subject the President to impeach,
ment.
Whilst allegations and charges
like these were daily Illuminated
by the press, the Treasury Build
ing took fire, and the larger por-
ton of it's contents were destroyed
Never was accident, or incident,
or catastrophe, more inopportunely
introduced. 1t verified, as the op-
position said, the charges of the
press; and they did not hesitate to
assert that Gen. Jackson had en-
ployed the hand of mercenary
incendiary, to apply the torch to
the edifce, with the hope that the
evidence of his guilt would be de-
stroyed. Such was the madness
of party! And, strange as it may
seem, incredible as it may appear,
it is historical fact not to be de-
MED, that whilst the Treasury
Building was falling before the
multitude thousands stood by and
refused to assist in rescuing the
common property of the people
So far were they from lending any
assistance, that they stood still,
gazed complacently on the scene,
and rejeiced over calamity that
ruined thousands who had claims,
and Just and honorable ones too,
on the Government! At the time
this catastrophe occurred, there
was in the whole city of Washing
ton but a single fire engine; and,
even that was in a state Of almost
utter dilapidation. 1t belonged to
the Executive Mansion; had for
years been lying idle in barn,
and, when brought into action,
was incapable of execution. An
effort was made to work it by
some half a dozen subordinates of
the Government, who cared but
very little about the matter, but
who most probably rejoiced at the
bonfire that was making sad havoc
with the archives of the Republic.
At the time that the fire took
place, Gen. Jackson was absent,
but soon returned, and ordered a
most thorough investigation to be
made into the affair. He avowed
then, as he ever did, till the day
of his death, that the Treasury
Buildings were destroyed by a
hired incendiary, and more than
intimated that that incendiary
was paid by the Bank of the Uni
ted States. did not then, nor do
| now believe that there was the
shadow of shade for the founda-
ton of the suspicion the old hero
indulged. There might have been
a motive for such an act on the
part of the Bank; but, who that
ever knew the late Mr.. Nicholas
Biddle, the President of that In
stitution, or who that has any
knowledge Of the gentlemen who
were the directors of that most
badly managed, and ultimately un.
fortunate and misdirected Bank.
will so forget what is due to the
memory of the illustrious dead, OF
to the reputation of the living, as
to believe that the one or the 9th
er could have been guilty of the
monstrous crime that Party Ran
cor intimated had been perpetrated
through their agency or instrumen,
tality!
Mr.. Nicholas Biddle / had the
honor of knowing we'll; and, al
though l never was OF opinion
that a National Bank was desira
bic, or that the late Bank of the
United States did any good; not
withstanding, / always thought
that Mr.. Biddle was over-estlma
ted as o fiuancier and always be-
lieved that. his management of the
Bank was bad, l never doubted
the spotlessness of his integrity:
or the purity Of his intentions
Whilst he managed to keep the
Bank above water, and possessed
the means of dispensing favor, ane