Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1864-04-25
The Garfield Forged Letters.

The Cincinnati Commercial of Saturday thus
handsomely and manfuly acknowledges the in.
justice done to Messrs. DAVIS and EcKLEs by
General GARFIELD on the floor of Congress:
John g. Davis, of Indiana, ex member of
Congress from the Terre Haute District, has
telegraphed Mr. d. W Voorhees, that the letter
OF introduction purporting to have been written
by him to John e. Breckenridge for one Ran
kin. copy of which was produced on the floor
of Congress by Mr.. Garfield, il "A forgery.
This statement is confirmed by Mr.. Med,
HAYS, clerk in Little's Hotel. Indianapolis, who
states that the letters in question were ITO his
knowledge" written at the desk of the Office OF
Titles Hotel. He says:
IL saw them written and read them after they
were written. Neither John g Davis nor d. r.
Eckles had any participation in or knowledge OF
the matter whatever"
Mr.. j Med. II 'ys, we understand, is
spectacle young man, and his positive testimony
may be accepted conclusive.
Gen Garfield has been deceived in this matter.
He undoubtedly believed the letters were genuine,
while they we're an invention OF the spy. who
knew Davis and EckIes as notorious sYmpathizers
with the rebels, and attempted TO use their names
accordingly. The trick OF the spy was not
wanting in shrswdness, however INSCRIPTIONS,
and the forged letters were certainly well calcu-
lated to deceive
This is in striking contrast with the course Of
the Journal aud other Republican papers in this
State, who, while compelled to admit the forgery,
charge that Messrs. DAVIS and EcKLEs would
have been guilty of completely with treason by
writing just such letters those which purported
to have come from them, if an opportunity had
offered. 1t is safe to judge men by their own
suspicious OF others. and we have doubt that
those who make these charges estimate others
by their own corrupt natures, or partizan dis
honesty.
The Republican press. and we may add the Re
publican party generally. either cannot or will
not appreciate the wide distinction between dis
loyalty to the Government, and dissent or oppo
stiOn to partizan principles, policy or measures
We will take the case in point as an illustration.
Messrs. DAVIS and EcKLEs entertain the opinion
that the policy of the Iarty in power-the mea-
sures it proposes and attempts to carry OUTS
not only in contravention of the spirit of our in
situations, but in conflict with the true interests of
the nation. They cannot believe in the nfalli-
bility Of an Administration composed of finite
men like themselyes-men who have a personal
ambition to crafty. and strongly imbued with
party prejudices, seek to perpetuate partizan
rule But while Messrs DAVIS and EcKLEs, as
every honest American citizen shoul1, deny
fealtv to party, o. to partzan policy or measures.
as the obligation of any citizen, they still yield
allegiance to the Government by obeying its
laws. and fulfilling the obligations they impose
! DO
his convictions of right and wrong. but this does
not stand in the way Of his rendering unto the
government that which belongs to the govern
ment, and paying tribute to whom tribute is due
IT has been. and is vet. the effort of the Repub-
lcan leaders, purpose wicked and malicious,
to convict the Democratic party of disloyally, of
opposition to the government, because its men,
bers will not admit that the measures Of the party
/ in power right and expedent. No such ob.
legation rests upon any citizen. The only test
OF loyalty is fidelity to the Constitution and the
laws. The government cannot put under
tribute or enslave the judgment. the
reason or the convictions of the citizen
This the party in power is attempting to do. But
the effort will fail The bigotry. fanstcism, in
tolerance and weakness. and the extravagance
and corruptiors which have marked the Admins
tration of the Government under the present
dynasty. are digging the pit, broad and deep
which will finally engulph the men in power who
have deceived and imposed upon the country and
most wickedly betrayed the trust committed to
them. And the greater the effort to put off the
day Of reckoning the more overwhelming will be
the re.rihutiOn