Daily Democrat And News

A Bomb Shell in the Republican Ranks.

From the Portland (Mo.) Argus.

Covode, of Pennsylvania, has introduced a resolution of inquiry without a specific charge in it, but carrying an implied accusation against the President and Cabinet, which, if true, would prove them to merit impeachment instanter.

The whole object of this virtuous (?) man has probably been accomplished by the appointment of himself at the head of a Committee on insinuated charges. It was a mean, skulking, cowardly proceeding, and some Democrats objected to it on that ground, pledging themselves to vote for it if the charges were made definite and specific. This the mover refused to do, and it was thought best by most, however, to let it go, even in that insulting form. Then Mr. Hoard (another Republican) introduced a resolution unobjectionable in character, for it made specific charges—grounded upon the public statements of Haskin, Adrian, and Hickman—which the Democrats promptly voted for. Mr. Haskin, however, did not seem to like it. He told his "allies," the Republicans, "they must look out, or they would get the laugh on them for raising unnecessary committees;" and it is said that all three of the members named in the resolution—Haskins, Adrian, and Hickman—feel anything but comfortable at having an issue thus made which must result in the vindication of the integrity of the President or in their conviction as the basest slanderers, in having stated that he had attempted to bribe them to vote for the Lecompton Constitution.

But the most significant part of the whole transaction is this: When Mr. Hoard's resolution was before the House, Col. Hindman offered the following amendment:

"Resolved, further, That said Committee inquire whether any money was used corruptly to procure the election of any member of this House, and also whether any corrupt means were used in the election of a Printer of this House, and that said Committee inquire generally into any and all the charges that have been or may be preferred against any member or members of this House, or officer of the Federal Government, and report by bill or otherwise."

This was a perfect bomb shell in the Republican camp. They are all very anxious to investigate, but were not so anxious to be investigated, and they cried "Order!" "Order!" and made a perfect uproar.

Mr. Hindman sent up his amendment to the Clerk's table, but the Republican side vehemently refused to have it read. He then undertook to read it himself, amid deafening cries of "Order!" "Order!" and the tapping of the Speaker's gavel.

Mr. Kellogg, of Illinois, raising his voice to the highest pitch, asked whether his Republican friends were afraid to hear the amendment read!

But the confusion was kept up, and Hoard's resolution was forced through, unamended, under the operation of the previous question!!

This little amendment exposed the hypocrisy of the Republicans in a moment. They are fishing to find corruption among Democrats, but are afraid to be subjected to trial themselves! They would not permit the amendment to be adopted!

But how do the President and Cabinet meet the charges? Referring to them the Washington Constitution says:

"When they (Haskins, Adrian, and Hickman) made their statements, we challenged them to the proof. We promised them that they should meet every facility from every branch of the Executive Government, from the President down to the most subordinate officer, in the pursuit of any investigation of a specific nature which they might institute and Congress sanction; but we warned them that if they failed to substantiate their charges, as we were sure they would, they must be prepared to be regarded by all honest men as the vilest and most profligate of slanderers.

"We now renew the challenge to the entire gang of defamers who act in concert with the man who could not be purchased, although offered more than he was worth; with the man whom 'threats and seduction of patronage' failed to draw away from the path of duty; and with the man who 'was approached in such a manner as to show corruption on the part of the Administration.'

"We repeat—and we deliberately weigh our words, because we know what we say—that the President and his Cabinet repel with scorn and contempt any and every accusation, from whatever quarter it may emanate, which affect in the minutest particular their official or personal honor and integrity."

That is Democratic. It is manly. Investigation is challenged. There is no shrinking from the closest scrutiny.

But the poor Republicans, how they winced! Why should they, unless the manner in which they secured the election of printer would not bear investigation? They know it would not, and therefore, like guilty cowards, suppressed investigation into their own conduct!

Shame! shame! Oh, Temperance, Freedom and Humanity, how low art thou fallen, and how disgraced in such hands?