New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1872-04-18

many Democrats, and disappointed ana
corrupt demagogues generally, last week that
"Gen. GRANT is as dead politically as Gen.
JACKSON is physically" In deciding to how
much weight this opinion is entitled, it is well
enough to examine into the antecedents of
the attorney who delivered it-and what fee
the Tammany Democracy paid him for it. If
it should turn out that he is one of that sort
of men who are governed solely by their own
interests, and keep their opinions for sale,
perhaps it will not command all the respect
As he refused to aid in the defence of a loyal
Union officer from grave charges, preferred
against him by Southern rebels, for less than
tea, thousand dolus-and rendered no service
at that-he ought to have received, at least, as
big fee for .prostituting his talents to the
service of sorehead demagogues and the cor
rupt Tamnany Democracy. But as this was
probably more agreeable and coneenial du-
ty than defending a Union officer, it is posi-
BILE he charged less for his New York labors.
Whether he was paid for his opinion in
regard to General GRANT and his services
in behalf of the Tammany and rebel Democ-
racy at the Heterogeneous gathering in New
York last week, or not, however, brief
record Of his political career, will aid the peo-
pie to reach a more correct conclusion as to his
character and integrity than they have been
able to gather from his Standardization or
the papers whose interest it is to make him
appear pure patriot, great statesman,
and an honest man. And the New York
Times has furnished to our hand the material
for making up this record.
Omitting any reference to TRUMBuLL's
vote to continue JOHNSON in office-one of
the most corrupt men who ever filled any office
in this Union, and by whose countenance
the "Whiskey Ring" stole one hundred and
fifty millions Of dollars of revenue annually
for three years, and, referring only inclden-
tally to his extorting fee of ten thousand
dollars from the Government for which he
had rendered no equivalent, and in violation
Of law, the Times begins its record with his
first election to the United States Senate in
1855 and reelection in 1861. The Legisla-
ture, previous to the election for the latter
year, was considered very doubtful, and
caused great anxiety, as our defeat would
have produced serious embarrassment to the
Government in raising troops and in other
respects. Great efforts were therefore
made, and an agent with funds was sent
from the East to aid in the election. BY his
efforts, DIR. JAYNE, of Sangamon county, the
of Mr.. TRUMBULL, was elect
ed, and his vote gave as a majority of one in the
Senate, and secured the reelection of TRUM-
BULL, soon after which Mr.. LINCOLN was
Mr.. TRUMBULL begins to exhibit his true
character, and to show how little he cared
about the success Of the Union cause and
the principles of the Republican party any
further than they might be made to bring
grists to his mill.
Shortly after Mr.. LINCoLN's Inauguration
TRuNBULL began to importune him for
office. His first demand was that his broth
er-in-law JAYNE, who, as We have seen, held
the balance Of power in the Senate, should
be appointed to an Office in one of the Terri
tories. The President demonstrated, repre-
sented the condition in which the resignation
Of DR.. JAYNE would leave the Legislature,
the strong probability Of the election of
Democrat to fill the vacancy, and the great
to the Administration in its |
var measures if the Democrats should have
control Of that body. But Mr.. TRUMBuLL
vas deaf to all such considerations, and DR..
JAYNE was appointed Governor Of Dakota
Territory, position in which he could be at
4 safe distance from all military operations,
md at the same time enjoy desirable off,
,ial position. The immediate result was, as
Mr.. LINCOLN had feared, the election of
Democratic Senator to fill the vacancy,
Democratic majority in the Senate, and great
to the Administration in its
military measures.
Time passed on and it became not only
entirely safe, but somewhat desirable for
Gov. JAYNE to return to the States. The |
war was at an end. Circumstances had COM
bined to increase the Importance and profit
of many offices, and among others the pen
sion agencies had become very desirable. In
the pension Office at Springfield was Gen.
Ira J. BLOOMFIELD, gentlemen with a
most excellent military record, vouched for
by his corps commander, Gen. LOGAN, and
his division commander, Gen. WALCUrT,
and by many Of his old comrades in arms.
Personally he was Of unexceptionable char
acter, and there was fitness in the payment
of pensions by gallant soldier which every
one recognized. The duties of the Office were
well performed, and there was no popular
demand or desire for change. But Gov.
JAYNE had fixed his heart on the place, and
Mr.. TRUMBULL demanded it under the rule
of the civil service giving the disposition of
Offices to members of Congress that rule
which Mr.. TRUMBULL affects to abhor, and
seeks to make a crime. The President re-
cognized the rule, Gen. BLOOMFIELD was
removed, Gov. JAYNE was appointed and
still fills the office, standing proof of Mr..
TRuMBULL's bad faith in affecting desire
to remove Congressional influence in the
matter OF appointments.
The Major of Gen. GRANTS regiment of
Observation-Disclosures f. McMAcKIN. of Sa-
lem, Illinois-was a most excellent man and
a good soldier He had been a nrisonar d,r