The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1872-08-24
EXPLANATION BY MIX. BRIDG
LAND.

We we're agreeably surpr Used, on entering
Lyceum Hall last Wednesday night, TO find
such q large and enthusiastic assembly of
our feIow-cltizens The night was hot,
political speeches frequent of late, and we
supposed that it would be an impossibiiity to
get any considerable number OF people to-
gether under the circumstances. Posters
had announced for day previous, that Col.
J. A. Bridglaud, or fellow tow nsman, would
answer the charges made by William A.
Bickle against him in speech to the Greeley
Club of this city on the evening Of the oh
ultimo.
The charge was that Col. Bridgland melted
q mob against colored man by the name of
"Davis," Greeley orator. The truth is that
there was NO mob, but Some Of the colored
men of the city waited upon "navis" after
his speech and Informed him that before he
charged any one las Dasis had charged the
Administration with stealing, he Should
return the money he stole two years since
from his colored brethren. and advised him
quietly to leave town.
Col. Bridgland explained to the satisfaction
Of his entire audience that he was ignorant
# this intervisw, and the next day when the
circumstance Was . street talk made the
remark, "That man who would steal, and
then charge others with the same crime, and
would have the impudence to return among
those whom he had robbed, as public orator,
holding up others in virtuous indignation, if
Al y. n~1. uspntp
"little Virginia law" would be wholesome
under the circumstance"
The personal matter being disposed of in
q clear and gsnt'emanly manner, the speaker
then, in an eloquent and mastery way, dis-
posed OF the charges made by William A.
Bickle against tho Administration and its
supporters. The comparison of the manage
u,eut of the New York Custom house and
the Custom House in New Orleans, and the
results Of the investigation made in each
place, was . point we'll made, and was one
that had mot been elaborated before by our
political speakers. The Committee of Demo-
Gratis and Republicans appointed by Congress
after six weeks investigation in New York
would warrant an arrest. Though the oppo-
nents of General Grant and of the Republi-
can party had filed the papers with charges
Of gigantic frauds.
In the Custom House ut New Orleans, un-
der the management of Perry Fuller, the ap-
pointee of Andrew Johnson, supported BY
Thos. A. Hendricks, Of Indiana, frauds ia
the amount of millions were uneArthed by
the investigation Of Col. Casey,-0rant's
brother-in-law, and when Fuller found the
toiles Of the Law closing around him. that
exposure and infamy were about to swallow
him up, when his friend and adviser ani
counsel, Mr.. Hendricks, could help him nc
more, he appealed to that Court Of last 70
sort, and one bright morning was found IL
his bed q corpss.
The speaker then traced Charles Summers
caresSlaa.-A. Grumhler, quarrsllsxa and pro
fessional fault finder with every administers
ton, and claimed that he should be appninte,
.growler TO the Queen" on account Of BIZ
eminent abilities in that line. How he do
manded that his personal friend, Mr.. Motley
should be appointed Minister to the Court O
st. James, and President Grant gave it t
him; then three Consulaieships; then At
torney Generalship to Mr.. Hoar; then Secre
tary OF the Treasury TO Mr.. boutwell,, al
from Massachusetts,, with 81 States in tn
Union! Finally, when Mr.. Motlcyis cours
abroad had INSIDE him unpopular at home
and his own State asked for his remova
sumner threw himself in the breech and sal
il his friend was removed it should Be jus
| cause of war between him and the Presiden
Mr.. Motley was removed and here began d
great political sore on his head; hare ii
ground of his philippe against Presidsr
Grant.
The speaker then followed the career ,
General Grant. ~ cadet. citizen, soldier IN
president, aud failed to find one act in .
these relations 10 lite that had not been fl
the best interests Of his country. Not III,
hs had been free from mistakes il his even
full life, but his errors were always correctx
- soon - discovered, and the conclusion ~
that, IN the language Of Horace Greeley b,
one year ago. .Grant's experience won
make him better President in 1872 than
has been during The past four years. II
old charges Of corruption, iit-tskine, ueeIe1
OF duty etc., were mst with the rehuke -
deserve, and = hundred virtues and acts /
soldier and statesman thrown in the "a
against them. For IN hour and : quarter d
speaker held the attention of the avdienc
ana . tho elnss Of his panegyrica upen Il
Aannlsueuon, WAS grested via Usrit