The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1875-11-18


presented by the Indianapolis Journal:
The nature of the connection of Mckee, of the
is said to be follows: At the time the ring
was formed, the collector OF internal revenue at
anu ana %ao ae TO
proach with improper proposals; Mckee was
on very intimate terms with Mr.. Ford and had
great influence with him. he finally undertook
to to, i remove his opposition to their schemes,
paign fund was needed at Washington and that
the president and other prominent members Of
raised. No such call for money had been made,
and the ring having debauched the collector,
pocketed the profits
The above presents a very sad picture.
Take the statement just as the Journal
has made It, and IL is such a reflection upon
the administration as is well calculated to
call blush to the face OF any man who is
allied by sympathy to the administration.
1t raises the suspicion at once that the sd-
ministration has been In the habit OF raising
corruption money in this corrupt way,
though it might be true, as the Journal says,
in this particular case that no such call for
money had been made. It can not be de-
MED that there exists we'll founded suspi-
cion in the whole country that the lead
ers of the Republican party have been
preying upon the government and treasury,
for the material aid to prolong its existence
and continue its power. That vast sums of
money have been used for controlling cleo
lions can not be doubted for moment.
Nor does any sensible man believe it came
from private sources. Mr.. Ford, OF St.
Louis, was a government officer. When
told that the president demanded that be
ID
whisky ring, he sssented, though he had
been thought unapproschable before. Has
anything like this ever been done before in
the history of the countryf Has there ever
been man in the presidential Office whom
a subordinate could have been made to be-
lieve would make such demand. But Mr..
Ford believed IL of Mr.. Grant, and acted
upon bis belief. He doubtless had reason
to believe this. He had heard of calls for
money before. He knew that vast sums of
money were used, aud the natural inquiry
would arise in his mind, where do they
get It? He now sees the whole
process, and contributes his honor as a sac
rifice to his party. He must yield his honor
or his Office, and he gave up the former.
Surprising an honest man under Grants
predecessor, Andrew johnson, had been
required to violate his oath, and de-
fraud the government for the good of the
party, what would he have done2 He
would have told the man that approached
him that 1t was impossible, or directly that he
lied. But Grant has established no such
reputation for integrity. On the contrary, his
reputation is tainted. He accepts gifts as an
Office holder, and used his power In confer
ring upon the giver places OF trust, RESPONSE
bility and profit. Near to his person ne
kept a Babcock and a Corbin. Out on the
outskirts Of civilizations, where corruption
rank with Indian rings, is found his
brother Orville. When the nation seemed
TO be on the verge OF financial ruin, and the
shadowy clouds of Black Friday seemed
world, the spectators banks placed
to the credit of the presidents brother
in-law SO, 900 for no material value received.
These and dozens OF other events that |
have transpired have tainted the character |
OF Mr.. Grant, and are well calculated to in
spire in the breast of Mr.. Ford, the recreant
office holder, belief that Mr.. Grant did ap
prove and demand OF him that he should
lend himself to swindle the government to
advance the interest of the party.
1t Is sad and pitisble spectacle that is
presented for the American people to con-
template the exposure OF government com |
plicity in the frauds discovered, and the fact |
that the government did not initiate this |
investigation. It was represented to the
government again and again that fraud was |
being perpetrated, and only after such plain
and positive revelations as could not be ig- |
nored the Investigations commenced. |
1t makes the matter darker for the admins |
tration to be forced to proceed, and there is
no wonder that now some of the
agents who are made to be the scape-
goat OF those higher In power, should
make known the process and methods
and persons by which the frauds have
been perpetrated. The open letter Of the
st. Louis Times TO Secretary Bristow fore
shadows what is to be expected. II the
truth and the whole truth Ia revealed, Mr..
Grant, instead of having a third term, may
not be able to enjoy more than about one
and three-quarters of a second term.
The American nation must lift itself out
OF this position of suspicion. A higher kind
of patriotism aud loyalty than hath been
hitherto displayed is now imperatively de-
manded of the American people by the
events now transpiring. National repu a
ton abroad and honor and self respect at
home calls for a cleaning out the dung from
the stables. Every American patriot must
constitute himself Hercules to help on the
good work, that at least after tire present
presidential term we may have at the head
OF the nation a ruler that may be like
Csesar's wife, above suspicion.
Can IL Be2
The Journal OF this city has not spoken