Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-09-01
RADICAL WITNESSES,

RADICAL WITNESSES.
Col. P c. Wood, late Chief of the
Treasury Detectives, has until quite
recently been one Of Secretary
Boutwelfs most trusted friends.
Upon his testimony men of hither-
to spotless character were arrested
and charged with crime. All that
was needed was an accusation from
Detective Wood and prison stared
his victim in the face. The word
ofthis man was good with Bout
well against the best and purest
citizens of the Union. Boutwell,
thus confiding, cannot now break
the weight of Woods testimony be-
cause he has seen proper to tell
State secrets against the Chief Of
the Treasury Department. Ifwhat
he says is true, Boutwell,, ought to
be at this very moment in tho peni-
tertiary, and nothing has yet ap-
peared from Boutwell, to dis
credit the charges brought against
him. Instead of attempting to
cheat the people Of Virginia, Texas
and Mississippi Of their rights he
would consult his best interests by
proving that he is not guilty of
bribery, eounterfeiting and other
corruptions charged against him.
Has he nothing TO say in answer TO
the charge made against him by
Wood, to the effect that he CBout-
WELD offered him Wood ten thou
sand dollars for any information
that would enable him to convict
Andrew Johnson? Col. Wood
makes this statement boldly, and,
apparently without fear Of contra
diction. And to most minds
throughout the country, the state
ment will carry conviction Of its
truth. WHY'S it that Boutwell, has,
as yet, not deigned to refute it, or,
rather, to make an attempt to do
50? Is it not necessary for the
preservation Of his immaculate"
character that Boutwell, should clear
up this matter to the satisfaction Of
his adherehts and supportersf The
charge is very grave one, and, un-
less satisfactorily refuted, will not
be likely to enhance very greatly
Boutwells prospects for the next
presidency.
1t is difficult to imagine such ma
Lightly, and such a spirit Of BUSH
ness as must have characterized
this Radical light at the time he
made this offer. The spirit Of re.
venge which prompted him to seek
the downfall OF President johnson,
was such as to permit of his using
every means, whether honorable OF
dishonorablc, TO attain that end
The character of Sandford Conovel
the periurer, one of the witnesses
upon the impeachment trial, is evil
dence enough Of the valuable char
actor Of the testimony which was
sought for upon this occasion. 4
lie well stuck to was what was mos
needed at this time, and what, i
undiscovered, would have com
manded the most money. Tel
thousand dollars is large sum, an,
It's failure to command the evidenc
desired is proof conclusive of tn
integrity of the political course {
that President whose overthro
was sought by such means. Their
are few public men now living
whose political character coul
withstand such mighty efforts
the combined efforts of briber,
perjury, dishonesty and ever
rascality-to overthrow it. "
are not informed that Boutwell,,
making his offer to Col. Wood, W!
at all anxious as to the veracity
the purchased evidence. Any OF
who was willing to swear to son
damuable and atrociOus, eve
though impossible, story, could +
ceive the money Under these CT
cumstances, it is actually wonderf
that Boutwell, did not succeed
obtaining what he desired, and,
we have already said, the fact
his i'll success, speaks volumes f
the uprightnCss of President job
sons course.
There are few mon who, II Inn
= cent, would permit such charge
that made by Col. Wood to rem;
unrelated, and who, if the char
was entirely without foundati
would suffer it to remain
contradicted. Neither the "Virt'
nor the "uprightness' of the pr
ent Secretary of the Treasury, E
would be candidate for tho pr
dency, will save him from tho
putation of dishonesty in this N
ter. The charge is very ugly o
and unless the Secretary retute
TO the satisfaction of the fair d.
ing portion OF the community,