Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1876-02-07
ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY :, 1879.

Dean Stanley, in late sermon in West
minister Abbey, said that lin our gloomy moods
we are inclined to think that we cannot count
on the continuous advance of the onward pro
gress OF our race 10 this country the con-
dition of gloomness is not essentially necessary
to induce US to feel, and know, that the onward
progress, unless it be to ruin, cannot be cCuut-
ed on; for what but ruin can befal a country
10 the hands of such men as now control the
destiny of the United States? Nor does the
country deserve better fate, tor if Gen. Grant
be renominated probably half the suffragaus
would vote for him again. To those, however, who
still retain some patriotic feelings, how CALLING
must such exp6sitions as the following be :?
From the Washington correspondent OF the
Philadelphia Times
IA story vouched for BY men whoare worthy
of all belief, regarding Glaut and Babcock, is
in active circulation to night. 1t is to the Ell
feet that at an interview to day with Secretaries
Brstow and Plcrrcpont the President declared
bis purpose to go to st. Louis and give his
testimony in :Babcock's favor The interview
assumed gloomy aspect, and the President
took occasion to refer to Brstow' 5 prosecution
of the whiskey ring in strong terms OF clSap.
proval, concluding with the remark that me
(Grant) understood perfectly that certain par
to be his friends, were really his enemies, seek
ing to build themselves up at his expense. The
Presidents manner was Enthusiastically pointed,
and Secretary Bristow, III establishment and
dismay, turned about aud walked TO widow,
where he stood looking out for some moments.
An interval of silence ensued, WHICH was brok-
en- by Pierrepont, who suggested, IN sub.
dued tone, that he thong ht tue President was
inclined to be hasty aud severe 10 bis ludg-
ment, to which Grant responded in loud and
angry tone that when be wished advice from
his Cabinet counseors as to his personal at
fairs he would notify them. The President
has lost his calm mperturbability, and has fall
en- into an irritable state in which be becomes
violent and abusive, especially with reference
to the parties concerned 10 the prosecution of
the whiskcy ring. The story has some marks
of impIobability, but 1t is SO excellenty vouch-
ed for that it seems uuwlSe to entirely dlscredlt
it. TIE effort to induce the President TO put
his testimony in the shape of an atidaVlt will
not be abandoned.
From the New York Sun:
There is unquestiopably very bitter feel
ing on the part OF the President towards Sec
relary BristoW, but it is not true than an open
rupture was caused by the cavalier manner
ip which the Secretary is reported to have
treated the President. That the President has
determined TO testify IN Babcock's interest IS
true, but it is not true that either Secretary
Bristow or Attorney General Pierrepont have
attempted to persuade him from this course
1t is understood here that both Mckee and
Mcguire are to testify for the Government 10
the Babcock case, and if they tell all they
know, the President will not be 10 condition
10 benefit Babcock much by his testimony.
1.-The friends OF Babcock have beco well nigh
hopeless since Mckee was convicted and Ma
guire has pleaded guilty, and the President is
10 towering passion with Brlstow; but he is
like mad elephant chained by both hind legs
He has confidently expected Mckee's acqult
tal and Babcock's vlndlcatlon. Then, with bis
favorites rescued from the clutches of the law,
BristoW was to be turned out OF the Cabinet
unceremouiously; but if Babcock is convicted
he dare not do this, and therefore he has to
chew the bitter cud Of his wrath without dis
taut prospect of gratifying his revenge. lie
knows that if Bristow is made to leave the CAB
net after Babcock is convicted, it would Ger
tainly make him his successor 10 the White
House.
His situation, said prominent Republican
to-day, is pitable in the extreme. He longs to
save Babcock, but he realizes that be has
waited too loug; that be ought TO have put
his foot down long ago and squelched Brstow;
but now he dare uot. aud SO be CRASHES his
teeth in silence. He feels and Knows that he has
been completely overreached By Brlstow, and
this reflection adds fuel to the fame, and turn
which way he may he sees no means OF ex-
frIor
There are scores OF Prominent Republicans
here who are equally enraged at Bristow, who,
they say, is destroying the party; sitting down
on il, aud pressing tie life out of it," as one of
them expressed it. But they cannot suggest
any remedy The President, they say, by his
obstinacy, has brought it ali on himself and
the party. They warned him long ago OF what
was coming; but he insisted that the time had
not come yet tor action.
The trial of Gen. Babcock 10 connection
with the whiskey ring frauds is set for COM
mencement in the United States Court at st.
Louis to. day. Babcock and some Of his friends
arrived at ST. Louis en- Saturday morning, but
all Of his counsel are not yet Oh hand. 1t is said
that Presiden, Grant will be summoned as
witness for the defence. Mckee has made APP
plicaton to the Court for new trial.
The bill which Mr.. Faulkner has introduced
into the House of Representatives aud which
was referred to the Committee on War Claims
amends the act directing the payment Of all
claims for stores and property taken during the
war for the use of the United States army, so
shat 90 proof of loyalty as condition prece-
dent to the allowance or payment By any officer
of claims arising under this act shall be reQulr-
ed, if, when the stores were furnished or taken,
the owner thereof was church, institution of