The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1876-03-08

1t was some qualification 10 read in the
Journal, the day after the exposure OF
Bslknap, an article repfobsting his Offer Sc.
The news came suddenly and the crime
was such bold one, thai it could not do
less on the spur OF the moment. Bot the
effect of that exposure has bsen so deleter-
rious, that the Journal now comes to the
defense OF Beiknap In q measure, and
presents the mitigating features ofthe case
so softly and mildly, that one is taught to
consider the Delinquent secretary much
like a naughty child, erring by reason OF
the influence of other spoiled children
around.
This then is to be the course OF the
Republican journals over the exposure
of dastardy ana fragrant crime that
merits, il it had been committed in private
lite, term in the psnitentiary, and IS il
was, confiscation of property and ban
ishm9nt from the country. There is no
possible mitigating circumstance con-
nected with this whole affair. The bri-
berry has been goiag on for year.. 1t was
matter of elaboration, though executed
In very clumsy manner. Bslknap was
called into the cabinet without any of
these qualities TIA. indicate statesman
ship. He had no reputation. His APP
p ointment to the high position of cabinet
officer surprised the whole country. At
the time General Grant called him into
the cabinet be was an applicant begging
for the position, land, doubtless, accom-
panying his application by a present. of
collector of internal revenue for his district
in Iowa. The president found him
to his taste and for six years he
has been his favorite secretary. He be-
slowed upon him the position that gave
the best opportunity for rascality. He
had nearly two hundred such positions
as Fort Sill at his disposition. The amount
OF rascality that has been connected with
these places can be imagined when it is
remembs red that his wife wore thousand
dollar dresses, and never appeared twice
in the same sttire. The reckless social
extravaganza of the BelkDap establish
ment has been proverbisl for years. He
has buried one wife, who died without
conlessing her partnership in his crimes,
and now reduces another to the position of
abject and hopeless infsmy, begging with
ssrvile humiliation for conceslment
of their degradation. He csme to
the president, and plead for dismissal to
avoid the severer penalties that would
surely fall upon him, confessing his cor
ruption ord oun;no 4 n at h w as m N uortbv
to remain in his place. With the scorn of
frisnds and foes resting upon him, the
whole nation reprobating his acts, de-
spising him for his base betrayal of high
trust, this fallen man now finds an apollo
gist in the indianapolis Journal, and the
first just words, admitting his rascality,
and that he bad disgraced himself and the
Republican party, are now toned down
and the people taught to look upon his
acts with leniency.
Can it be that the Journal will
still adhere TO the plank in the
Republican platform that ex presses the
fullest confidence in the administration OF
Grant? Does 1t propose to carry such a
terribly dead weight into the coming cam
psign? 1t would seem from the course OF
the Journal that the Republicans propose
to do that very thing.
Well, it is best that the psople shall
know it. 1t Is well to be frank, so the peo-
pie will not be deceived. The people can
see what they are invited to indorse in
voting the Republican ticket. 1t Endorses
Grant. 1t excuses BeIknsp. 1t de-
clares Babcock worthy to be ths
chief secretary of the president. In short,
the Republican party, as set forth in the
platform, Endorses fraud, bribery and cor
ruptiop, and the Journal stands practi-
Ill. a.. tl.n ralarlr Ii, its annt hinn axcnS q