The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-08-25


again is mystery. Why should the Governor
send the Doctor away at this particular juno
ture, when his going may sound the death
knell of the 7opicP What are to become
of the Governors aspirations for the Presi-
dency, if the breath should go out of its
nostrilsP 1t alone, of all its contemporaries
in the United States, has the sagacity to per-
oeive his eminent fitness for that exalted
place Why should his hand strike the cruel
blow? Why
"His feather on the fatal dart
Thus wing the shaft
That shall quiver in the Topies hearth"
Let him be cold-blooded even as his enc
mics pronounce him, he could not do all this.
What Gihon banished and the Topic en-
dangered! It is too much II is beyond
belief. Some deep strategy underlies this
movement on the part of his Excel
lency. For be it remembered that whilst
he may not be a "great War Governor,
as was his immaculate predecessor, he was
at least, great warrior before he was Go
vernon (gtde Life of ''Stonewall" Jackson, by
George Munday). The grand strategy that
bafied that distinguished and willy Rebel
chief in the Valley still distinguishes our
Governor from ordinary mortals; and al
though his movements may appear meaning
less and sometimes ridiculous to the vulgar
herd, there always lie hidden therein results
that astonish and overwhelm when fully
developed.
From his enemies comes the suggestion
that the appointment of this old and trusted
friend to a position where the chances Of
an early departure to the ''happy hunting
grounds of the hereafter" are as, say, nine
to one, arose from a desire on the part
of his Excellency to bury some perhaps
unpleasant secrets which of necessity had to
be shared by this bosom friend, late 'private
secretary" This is too wicked and terrible
|. even to think of, let alone dream of in dark
night. Mild as our Governor is in war and
terrible in peace, this is too much even for
him. Those who insinuate so vile a thing
| cannot be aware of the relations that have
existed between these two. AS was Damon to
| Pythias, SO has Geary been to Gihon. Through
the bloody fields of Mexico, through the wilds
of California, and during our late
civil war, as shadow follows substance
so followed the Doctor his warrior friend.
Sharing common dangers in war, they have
been united in peace. AS in glowing terms
the Governor has ''many a time and oft"
recounted his hairbreadth escapes and mighty
deeds by s'food and field" what more willing
ears have drank in the burning words of un-
written history2 How Santa Anna bowed
his head as the raven locks of Geary began
to rise over the walls of the Montezumas;
how ''Stonewall" trembled as he heard his
tread in the valley of the Shenandoah; and
how the war-battered veterans of Johnston
and Hood turned pale as they saw the name
and tail of his black charger waving in the
thickest of the fight. To all this
our amiable friend the Doctor has
listened Thousand times and more"
and made no sign of weariness, although
sometimes the ''fesh was ready to faint and
the heart to fail" The Governor surely can
not forget all this self-sacrifce and devotion
Besides, the Doctors living would but add to
his chiefs renown With bugle-note as clear
as Rodericks of old, he could still proclaim
the deeds that make ''our Geary" great The
suggestion, therefore, is dismissed as emanat-
ing from the Evil One.
The Governor cannot, does not desire that
''Yellow Jack" should silence forever the
music of that willing tongue that ever
drops sweetest praises to his name. To
darkened understanding, to a limited
comprehension, it may appear a doubtful or
even a cruel compliment thus to thrust con
fiding friend into the very breath of devour-
ing pestlence. But it will only exhibit in
the end the wisdom of the one and the brave,
devoted spirit of the other. The Governor
would prove to an admiring Commonwealth
what ''sterling stuff make up these friends
of his, to whom he is bound with 'hooks of
STEEL"
In this light the motive that prompted the
appointment cannot be doubted, save by the
stupid or wilfully wicked