Weekly Calaveras chronicle., 1867-08-24
From The San Francisco Times.]
Something of Mr.. HAight's Record.

The first suspicion which was aroused
among Union men against Andrew
Johnson's integrity to the cause which
he was elected to represent, was felt
when it became known where he was
housed for repairs after his shameful
exhibition of himself at the time of his
Inauguration. That painful first doubt
was excited because of the apparent
intimacy which was thereby developed
between the then Vice-President and
MIR. Frank Blair, whose guest he was
until he got sober. Mr.. Blair had
shown by his conduct toward President
Lincon, that he saw neither friend of
that great and good man, nor of the
party which saved the Union. Sub
sequent development hasmade it appar-
ent to all that Mr.. Blair entertained
others than mere disinterested motives
for the good health and reformation of
the distinguished inebriate Prominent
among those whose intrigues resulted in
the birth of my policy" was this same
considerate gentleman, Mr. Frank Blair
His later efforts to break down the rad
ical party in Missouri have shown how
complete his alienation is from the party
whose principles he had professed with
so great show of earnestness.
When, in 1048, Van Buren headed
"Sorehead" ticket for the purpose
of defeating his personal enemy, Cen
eral Cass, the Democratic nominee for
the Presidency, he found in Mr. Frank
Blair, of Missouri, an active and efficient
ally. The Free Soil movement in Mis-
souri, was headed by him; and close
beside him, ready to do his bidding,
was young man by the name of Henry
H. Haight. Among other features of
the campaign was paper, which was
published in St. Louis, styled the Barn.
burner. Mr.. Haight was the editor of
the sheet; and what he accomplished
then were his earliest experiences in
politics.
We state these premises to exhibit
the sources from whence Mr.. Haight
derived bis Identification with the anti
slavery movement. He was creature of
Blair's. That he then accepted Mr. Blair
as his political guide none may doubt
who have watched the progress of teach
er and pupil through the meandering
trails which they have pursued in COM
paDy. Indeed, their political histories
have been remarkably alike Blair re-
nounced friendship to President Lincoln
because he found himself unable to use
him to suit his purposes. Haight saw
no virtue in Mr.. Lincoln after failing to
secure an appointment as United States
District Attorney for California. Blair
lent the weight of his influence to defeat
Lincoln's nomination at Baltimore /;
Haight went further (acting under
Blair's instruction no doubt), and de-
nounced Lincoln while advocating the
claims of General Mcclellan for the
Presidency. Now, both Blair and his
protege are prominent lights in the Sc
cession Democracy. Indeed, as early
as at the outbreak of the war,
when the rebels fired upon Fort Sumpter,
MIR. Haight declined signing mis- name
to written call for the formation of a
loyal organization il this city, because,
as he expressed himself. he was opposed
to coercion, and denied the constitu-
tional right of the Government to inau-
gurate warlike movements to suppress
the secession Of the Southern States
No wonder be could find it in his heart
to denounce President Lincoln after he
had declined appointing him to an Office
of honor and emolument under the
Government.
Mr.. Haight then is a ft man to be
the standard bearer of the secessionists
He has already shown himself an adept
at treachery; for has be not proven
traitor to two parties? He is one of
the graduates of the Blair school of pol
itics; and is not Frank Blair model
of political duplicity? The fact is, Mr..
Haight is the Emerson Etheridge of
California, and represents that wretcled
school of political conspirators who,
headed by the Blair family, gave Mr.
Lincoln more anxious days and nights
and more trouble in the performance
of his duties, than the most industrious
rebels who made Washington the con-
verging point for spies and secret mail
carriers in the interest of the Confed-
eracy, and this is the man who is re-
ceiving the covert support of the inde-
pendent press.