Litchfield enquirer., 1876-08-03
GRANT and the WHISKEY TRIALS.

The testimony of Bluford Wilson before the House Special Committee, last week, reveals the history of the presidents rela- tion to the whiskey frauds very complete ly. What had before been suspected now becomes matter of evidence With the prosecution of Gen. Babcock the whole executive influence was turned against >Bristow and the reform movement, not only by indirection but by every possible direct interference short of the Secretary s removal. The president was simply tool of Babcock's. Not only did he procure the issue of the notorious order against allowing accomplices to ''tnrn states evil dence," with a view of shielding Babcock, Wilson's letter to Secretary Bristow of January 27, after they had been hay. ing long explanation with the president, shows that he habituallY revealed the se- crets of the prosecution to the accused: i. DEAR GENERAL: I called to bid you bon Uoyoge. and to say that within less than an hour after our return from the White House, Babcock came in little white and and good deal nervous, and asked me if l had any news. I replied that had none except what had given the President; to which he said, ''Yes, it is that about which desire to ask you. What does Everest claim about the $500, &c.," show ing that His Excellency had conveyed at once to Babcock every item of possible evidence which he had received from me. Babcock stayed quite while. Had a very prompt and emphatic denial to every story, and a theory to fit it. He asked me, on going away, to tell him if any, thing new turned up. This I positively refused, but added that I could not deny when the President asked. He laughed and said that would do just as well, and we see that it does Tine point of all this is that the President questions me in Babcock's interest. What am I to do? Again. I have no objection on gen. eral principles to give Babcock fair show if the testimony is really false, but how if it should turn out to be true, and what right has he more than any other accused party to hear the details of the case against him?
 This testimony reveals in it's dearest light the weakness of Grants civil admin istration. He has been surrounded by rings of coarse corrupt scoundrels like Babcock & Shepherd, who turn his personal friendship into cash. To every charge against Babcock's intimacy with whiskey thieves; to all the evidence of Belknap's dealings with post-traders; to the proof of the scandalous connection of Robeson with the Cattells, he turned a deaf ear. We cannot believe him guilty of complicity with the horde of specula. tors with which he was surrounded; but the country could have suffered little more had he been as corrupt as he has proved weak.
 This evidence shows also the indomi- table pluck, perseverance and honesty of ex-Secretary Bristow in very clear light. He had to ighte doubtful battle with the rings which had corrupted not only the politicians and government officials of. St. Louls, Chicago and San Francisco, but the very household of the president. That he was ever allowed to make the ex- pertinent, shows that Gen. Grant was sub- ject to good as we'll as to evil influences; that he was finally driven from office shows that the evil influences have most unfortunately prevailed oyer the good.
 EAST CORNWALL. July 31, 1876.
 MR. ED1ToR:-In reply to Jacks in- quiries respecting those serenaders, we would say that there had been much spe- culation upon the subject: first, they were taken for those who had been partaking too of some elevating beverage or other, freely; next, they were pronounced half crazy. and no wonder. judging from their songs which were in part loud hur- rahs. It was nearly impossible, with only glimpse of them to tell who was who, as the ladies and gentleman had exchanged hats and shawls; but at last it was ascer- tained that they were the quiet and. peace loving young folks of College St., out for a good time generally, and to enjoy the shower, so refreshing to every green thing. Were people ever so mistaken as in their first suspicious Their de- situation was the house of carpenter, who is also good singer; but whether the object of their visit was accomplished or not, Jack has not informed us. As for the man who was scared out of years growth. we fear Jack would have been scared out of two years growth, had he been in bis place. A binding flash of lightning, aheavy peal of thunder, follow ed by the report that neighbours house is struck-is sufficient to scare most peo- ple, especially, if in. an instant, the ali, is rent with loud hurrahs whether for held or pleasure no one could tell. For cur part we do not wonder that the man was astonished.
 The cornet that we were informed some- 1 time since had been borrowed and return ed, still fills the air with music at even tide, but o, such music It is now the universal prayer of East Cornwall that Jack may at last find the mouth piece to I fit his mouth. Jack is mistaken as to sold Sancho's" name, or else he does not wish to know. Perhaps he thinks it beneath his dignity, to acknowledge that the horse is called Jack by it's owner. Is it really kind for one Jack to abuse another in that way :? TILDA. West Cornwall,
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