Constitutional Whig

SENATOR GRUNDY IN TROUBLE

During the last winter, Mr. Charles Biddle of Nashville, was nominated to the Senate by the President, for a Judgeship in Florida. His nomination was rejected. Mr. Grundy voted to approve under the following circumstances, as alleged by the Kentucky Reporter. That paper says:

"Tennessee Senator.—Letters from Nashville inform us, that Mr. Eaton is out as a candidate for Senator from that State, in the place of Mr. Grundy, whose term of service expires the 4th March next. Mr. Eaton is the candidate of the Hero, and it is thought that he will be elected. There has been much management, counting of votes, &c. on the part of Messrs. Grundy Eaton and others, and also much contention between them, as to which is the most devoted Jackson man. Mr. Grundy, to prove that he was the most thorough going "whole hog" of any of the candidates for the office, stated to the Speaker of the Tennessee House of Representatives that "he voted for the confirmation of Mr. Biddle's appointment, when he knew him to be totally unqualified for the office;" this is authentic and may be relied on."

This has drawn from Mr. Biddle the following card in the Nashville Republican of the 26th September.

"Mr. Grundy has been pleased, either jocularly or in earnest, to do me a material and unprovoked wrong. Whilst the assault made by him was confined to the circle of this community, I felt content to wait for a proper time to show in what the injury consisted, and to present him to the public in the attitude which his conduct towards me entitled him to be considered. I was aware, however, that every thing which might be said upon this subject, would afford a pretext for him and his friends to utter the cry of persecution. I have determined, therefore, to await until the election is over, and I will then present him to the public (from documentary proofs) in a light which his best friends may not be pleased to see him.

Your ob't serv't
CHARLES BIDDLE."

The war of character which is likely to ensue, it may be painful to witness; but it must be conceded that if the Kentucky Reporter is correct in its statement of the act—and Mr. Biddle seems to establish it, by admitting his previous knowledge of it from other sources—it must be conceded we say, that so profligate an avowal, of so profligate an act, deserves no light reprehension. The obligations of a Senator of the U. States, are as weighty as the majesty of the Constitution can make, and as solemn as oaths can render them.

The Senator who makes the wishes of the President his inducement to do what his duty and his oath forbade; who unblushingly avows the motive, and urges the act, as a recommendation for renewed public confidence and trust, trumpets his own dishonor to the world. If any thing could add to the degradation, the state of the relations subsisting between the President and Senator Grundy, would have that effect; for this base concession was made to a man whom the Senator neither trusted nor loved. Interest could alone have prompted it.

The election was set for the 5th October, and a few days will bring the result. Every man must hope if this be true, to hear that Mr. Grundy has been permitted to remain in Tennessee.