Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1871-04-13
secretary Belknap.

Secretary BeIknaP.
When President Grant made the
unexpected, and, as we then thought,
undesirable choice OF Gen. William
w. Belknap, Of Iowa, for Secretary
Of War, this paper was free and
explicit In the expression Of the
opinion that he could have chosen an
Iowa Republican who would have
been more clearly a representative
Of the party and Its radicaIism. We
were honest in the conviction, and a
large proportion of the Iowa people
shared the opinion with us. The
most Of those who knew him, our
selves among the number, had no
doubt Of his ability to discharge the
official duties of the position w0rthily
and well; but the impression still
remained, and very unpleasantly,
that he was not a Republican Of the
Republicans, that he was not even
man Of politics, and hence not IN
sympathy and active accord with the
progressive principlesand aspirations
Of the party. Honestly believing
this, We honestly expressed it, asking
no apologies, and making no palav-
ering explanations. We did not
know then, positively, that We were
right, ind 80 took care not to con-
denim without caution and reserva-
ton. But, rs tho General had not
been In politics prominently enough
to give to the public positive evil
'lence Of his political position, there
only remained testimony Of general
hearsay and assertion from which to
judge-and from this we judged.
After commencing upon the duties
OF the place, the Secretary, by the
straightforward Radical Republican
course he at once assumed, and has
ever since unswervingly maintained,
was not long In convincing US that
weehad judged him wrongly. Con-
WINGED OF this, we were as anxious
and rs fast to correct rs we had
been to condemn; and now, that
nearly two years Of service In the
responsible post he Ais, and his
participancy In party politics, has
been continually adding confirmation
to his devotion, activity, and value
as q Republican counselor and leader,
we would AS cordially commend and
praise as we formerly, from false
impressions and information, mis-
Judged and misconstrued. TO the
grateful satisfaction of the whole
country he early demonstrated him
self to be q At successor to Stanton
and Rawiins; and to the satisfaction
nf his party an early demonstrated
his inclinati0ns and capacity to be-
come one Of the Presidents safest
and most saeacious counselors. At
the present time he Is universally
acknowledged, In Washington, and
In the political circles Of the country,
to be the most popular member Of
the Cabinet, and, no far as the scope
OF his. Mice VIII permit him to be,
the maIt efficient.
In the direction Of the affairs Of the
War Department, he has been pru-
dent, sAgacious and safe. Its business
ne has reduced t0a smoothly work.
Ing system; and many reforms, In
the military branch Of the Govern
n,ent proper, he has inaugurated
with gratifying success. He has
bern one OF the Presidents most
active and efficient helpers In his
programme Of retrenchment and
economy; and not a few of the ex-
Ixsnsive. Nancy. enting features Of
the War Department he has topped
OF. For his great and good services
In this direction he Il entitled to the
tisansss NJ all the friends VI economy
aud reform. - A''''