The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-07-31
Grant and the whiskcy Ring.

y
ton Of the President and the Admin
istration. before, during the progress
of, and subsequent to the BABcocK
trial. II any doubt was ever entertained
about tho aid and comfort given to the
thieves who were running the Republican
machine aud Illicit whiskey at the same
time, IL is dispelled by the evidence of the
man who, of all Others, not excepting
BRIsrow, did most to expose and to de-
ltroy the conspiracy.
From the very start, GRANT was indis-
posed to favor BRlsrow's crusade. and he
never consented at all, until he was per-
puadcd IL might result to his personal ad-
vantage. While yielding to importuni-
ty, he still believed that he could con-
troll the prosecutions and put on the
brake whenever they were driven too
fast. But public opinion became too ex-
cited and strong for repressive measures,
and he was forced TO yield, but with n dog
ged determination to thwart the reform.
As soon as the prosecution entered the
White House, GRANT could no longer be
restrained by prudence or by policy. He
regarded the indictment of BABcocK rs IL
blow aimed ut himself, aud had reason to
believe that other exposures would follow,
involving his brother ORvIL and his son
FRED, TO say nothing of his personal
dealings with MCDONALD, MCKEE. JOYCE,
and other Whiskey Ring oonsplrators.
The lrst step to take BABCOcK' 5 case out
OF the civil court, and to transfer IL with
all the testimony and papers to a military
court of inquiry in another State. with
sCn of II Nrr'z NOT md IA = RI
constituting a majority, was deliberately
designed to defeat any trial at st. Louis.
That scheme was coucocted in Washing
ton, and its failure is greatly due to the
resolute stand taken by Gen. HANCOCK
who would not allow his good name to be
furnished by completely with such trans
action.
The next step, was TO issue an Official iu-
struction to the District Attorneys, sub
stantially forbidding them to admit state
evidence, thus overturnng an accepted
principle of the common law which had
been recognized for two hundred years.
That instruction was considered confiden-
tial but was published by BABcoCK's
agency. who virtually stole the Presidents
copy and gave it to his attorney for the
ress.
he means by which the President and
Q Attorney General obtained from the
Rotary and the solicitor Of the Treas
y knowledge Of the most important tes-
timony against BABCoCK, and then made
II known TO him, Is disclosed in detail, and
10 a manner to stamp both with disgrace.
The President demanded the information,
as he had "A right to do. The Attorney
General pretended to seek it in the inter-
est of justice. HoRAcE PoRTeR formerly
private secretary 10 The President, and
who with DABCOCR had had connection
with all the White House Rings spent the
winter ut Washington, and was on init
mate terms with PIERREPONT. PORTER =
business there was TO AID IN the defence Of
BABCOCK. quite rs much Tor his own sake
a. Tor that of his ind 'ctci successor. The
conviction Of BABcOcR would have led to
astounding revelations, for the President
would hardly have ventured to pardon
him, aud If he had not done 30 the corrupt
and Infamous secretary would have made
merchandise Of the secrets in his posses
zion and brought some of the foremost Re
publican leaders down 10 ruin. PORTER,
like others, was AT BABcoCKs mercy, and
hence his zeal to save HIM from the peni-
Tertiary. Whatever PIERREPoNr knew
PoRrER Anew, and that knowledge wa.
utilized to serve BABcoCK.
The dismissal of Gen. HENDERSON from
the head OF the prosecution was intended
to help bAbCoS" and was contrivcd
spocialiy for that objec,, won the niser
.hle uretext that on the trial 80 Arrp,
a
Judge and the attorneys and the rcpor
all den ed the false charge, but w'thou
avail because the removal had been al
ready determined upon, to weaken tn
prosecution.
part of the conspiracy to save Ban
COCK made it necessary to assail BRIsIov
aud WlIsoS particularly, AMI for this pur
pose spies were Officially employed aud
letter of WILSON 10 llEShERsoN was ,tolel
and delivered to the President by Bah
COCK, win IA forged Interpolation, to con
vincc hin That the Treasury officers wer
impoacnlng his integrity. Even whei
the press copy Of the original expose
this forgery, GRAST stll chung to m
scoundrels who committed the CRIME.
That LOGAN ana FARwELL were con
oeuncl in this whskey business Is II,
LONGER doubtful. WARD, the ex-Distric
Attorney, was a partner in dist,lcry a
the very time he was prosecuting his con
federltes. Ii1 was indicted, but the Pres
ident Ordered The casr dismissed. witt
those of others who had long been aim Us
openly associated with the thieves, VIII,
had Organized great business and ma
chlncly 10 steal the revenue.