The Grange advance. [volume] (Red Wing, Minn.) 1873-1877, 1876-03-08

him IN envelope, which the President
opened mechanically, presuming it to be
IN ordinary official communication. Ho
read it without comprehending the fact
that 1t was the resignation of the Office Of
Secretary Of War. Belknap .
ta,4. BURSTING INTO TEARS,
tried to explain, but could not. The
President in great agitation rose and left
the room With the disgraced official. At
the loot OF the stairs Chandler appeared,
ana the subject was discussed privately
between the three. Presently thereafter
belknap and Chandler reappeared and
went out for ride together. An hour after
this BeIknap appeared before the commit.
tee with his counsel, Judge Blair, bat
presenting no evidence. The case of the
committee was read to him and he de.
manded until this afternoon at three
clock to respond. The committee gave
him until half past three, when, as
HE FAILED TO APPEAR.
it was unanimously resolved to present
the case to the House and demand an
impeachment.
+ The Presidents indecent haste in &C.
cepting Belknap's resignation excites the
utmost condemnation Of all parties. It
was asserted by friend Of the President
that he had said to Belknap: ''Mr. Sec.
rotary If you are innocent won't accept
it if you are guilty I can't" But he
did after tie Secretary had talked half
hour with him. 1t is believed that
Chandler and Morton urged its accept
ance by the President, as they were both
present when Belknap came down stairs
with Grant from the executive Office. So
soon as Belknap had gone the President
took walk with his son Fred, and came
back to the treasury department about
noon. He is said to have declared that
he has lost all confidence in human M.
ture-a remark which he made when Por.
ter's famous letter was pubiished--and
that he
DON KNOW WHOM TO TRUST
now. He asserts that of all men in rub.
lie Life Belknap seemed to him the most
straightforward and sound. Public com.
ment is varied. Every one declares it a
national disgrace, but some at the same
time declare that they had no doubt of
the existence of such state of affairs in
this department as we'll as in others. even
to-day. and that they are glad it has come
to the surface. About the departments
there were many long faces, and little
groups of chief clerks we're to be seen
carrying on a low and solemn converse.
ton at all times, and members of the cab
met and heads Of departments were call
ing on each other. During the dav the
President refused to see any one save his
most intimate friends.
THE DRY REPORT
of the committee does but feeble Justice
to the passionate scene when the wretched
Mrs. Belknap. clinging to the hope of
girlish friendship for Mrs. Blackburn,
visited her, and, throwing herself upon
her knees, refused to move until security
for her husband was promised. She is q
woman of fine presence. She dressed in
something like grandeur. Her costumes
were noted for extreme decollette. The
staid element of Washington society held
her little in reproof for this foreign
taste, when they remarked of her that
they preferred to have other men, wives
display their charms so literally rather
than their own. Mrs. Belknap, as Miss
Tomlinson. was bosom friend of Con.
gresham Blackburn's wife. To her, last
night, she betook herself, when her hus-
band, coming home from the committee,
declared that all was lost. To work more
effectively upon Mrs. Blackburn.
TIE wRCTcurn w,rr
brought aer baby to plead for her. 1t was
one of the few cold, stormy nights expe.
rienced in Washington. The ground was
covered with an inch of slush, the snow
melting as it fell. AS she appeared at
Mrs. Blackburn's it was almost impossible
to recognize her. A plain cloak was
thrown over her, and her babe was press
ed in her arms. She had barely reached
the inside door when she fell in a faint.
Recovering she fell upon Mrs. Blackburn's
neck. She raved piteously to save her
husband and child. She would bear all
the blame. She alone was guilty. They
might hang or imprison her, but spare
her babe and her husband. During the
scene Mr.. Blackburn came in and the two
women chung to him. his wife almost as
much moved as the wretched wife and
mother. Blackburn says he was
NEVER so MOVED IN HIS LIFE
by any appeal, but he was powerless, if
he had been willing to shield Belknap. He
told the unfortunate women, gently but
firmly, that justice must be done, and
that he was powerless. This was not the
first time Mrs. Belknap had asked Black.
burns good Offices. She told him some
points of the story few weeks ago, but
did not say how her husband was impli-
Gated. Blackburn did not understand,
and jokingly promised to apprise her of