Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1876-04-22
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON, d. c.,
April 10th, 1876.
AN INTERVIEW WITH BABCoCK.

| at 81. Louis, lew weeks ago, lot CON-
plicity in the crooked whiskey frauds,
and the later developments in regard TO
his connection with the Washington
safe burglary, have told perceptibly on
his personal appearance. Babcock is a
handsome little fellow of Napoleonic
build, and courteous in demeanor. He
has grown quite thin; bis eyes are deep
sunk in bis head; he wears troubled
expression OF countenance; and, alto
gether, he looks ten years older than
he did year ago. On being asked
how he stood the pressure, he said:
"Well, try to stand it like man,
although l confess it is worrying. and
must necessarily oe so to man who
has a family. We must all expect our
troubles and trials in this world, how
ever; and l endeavor to bear my share
with as much tortitude as is possible
under the circumstances.
He then went on, with earnestness,
to declare his innocence of the crimes
laid at his door, and spoke Of how he
had been bounded by majority of the
representatives of the press, notwith-
standing the fact that he had always
endeavored to treat newspaper, men
with fairness and courtesy. lie closed
by remarking, sadly:
81 don't know why person of my
humble position should be bounded as
| have been. / am not prominent
man. Inever had political aspiration
10 my life. Never wanted an office Of
any kind. went with Gen. Grant as
private Secretary, when he became Pres
ident, simply OH account of our friendly
relations and because he wanted my ser
vices. 1t is strange that should be
singled out as a target for all these
charges of which, God knows, | am
wholly innocent.
THE PRESIDENCY.
The indications here all point TO a
very bitter fight, over the nomination
for President, on the part of the ltepub-
licans, and less bitter, but certainly
severe struggle, in the Democratic
camp. An exceedingly unpleasant fea-
ture Of this contest is the willingness of
the friends of certain candidates to ad-
vance the interests of the men of their
choice by assaults upon the personal
characters of their competitors. A
marked instance of this is the recent as
sault npon Mr.. Blaine. That the char
ges against him, telegraphed all over
the country one day, were denied and
disclaimed the next, only adds to the
atrocity of the attack And this is the
work of the Republicans, who, acting
in the interest of another candidate,
wish 10 destroy Mr. Blaines chances
for the nomination at Cincinnati. No
man has made himself 80 obnoxious TO
the Democrats as has Mr.. Blaine, by
the course he has pursued in the pres
ent Congress. Taking advantage of his
knowledge of parliamentary tactics, and
sometimes resorting to mere trickery,
which detracted from his own dignity,
and has lessened him IN the estima-
ton of the people, he has repeatedly
succeeded in placing the Democratic
majority in a false light before the
country. But, however much he is dis
liked by them, no Democrat has ever
uttered one word against Mr.. Blaines
personal integrity. 1t remained tor his
own friends to do that. A similar
instance is the hatred for Mr.. Bristow
manifested by the Republicans here.
Nor are the Republicans alone in this
species of political strategy. Demo
Gratis of the worst character have been
busily engaged in casting aspersions
upon the honesty of Gov. Tilden, of
New York, the man who, more than
any other, represents the principle OF
integrity in the administration of Gov
ernment His uncompromising war
upon corrupt Democrats has caused
their undying hatred, and tie members
of the Tammany Ring and the New
York Canal Ring, self.styled democrats,
are his bitterest foes. 1t is evident
that, with corrupt men struggling for
the control, the people will refuse to
support either party, because of its
name or its platform. The best man
nominated, the man who possesses, in
the highest degree, the confidence of
the people, will be elected; aud it will
make little difference which party name
he bears
HOW 1T CAME ABOUT.
| forgot to mention that, in my talk
with Babcock, he stated how he be-
came intimate with Whitley, formerly
Chief of the Treasury detectives. His
version of the affair is this. He says
that anonymous letters are often re-
ceived at the Executive mansion, threat
ening the lite of the President, and,
occasionally, communications are re-
ceived from well-meaning persons who
state that they have reason to believe
that the Presidents life is in danger.
This is no new thing, but occurs during
every administration. Before the assas-
ination of President Lincoln, similar let
tiers vera received and no attention was
paid to them. While Whitley was con-
nected with the Treasury, several COM
munications Of this character were re-
ceived at the White House, and Bah
cock says he deemed it a reasoable pre-
caution to lay the facts before Whitley,
for investigation, should he think it nee
essary. In this way, he became acquain-
ted with the person who, few days
ago, "gave him away" in the safe bur
IN