The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1876-01-14
The Whisky Ring Prosecutions Score
tary Bristow Stands Alone.

reached a point when they can no longer
be disguised or concealed from the pub
lie. The real cause Of this isolation is
his earnest and upright prosecution Of
the Whisky Ring, though the anterior
hostility Of other Rings in whose face he
slammed the door Of the Treasury has
contributed 10 intensity luminosity
against him at the White House.
IL is no secret now that the President
reluctantly consented 10 the vigorous
measures which Mr.. Bristow proposed
for bringing the whisky conspiratOrs TO
justice. He knew that they had con-
tributed large sums Of money for his re-
election; that they supported his news
paper organs in the West; that they
helped 10 elect third-term Senator's and
Representatives, and furnished the
sinews Of war for maintaining the Re-
publican organization in several States.
But after the crushing proofs OF the
guilt of Mcdonald, Joyce, and Avery
were laid before him, Grant bad no al
tentative but to sustain Bristow's plan
OF campaign, or subject himself to seri-
Gus consequences by refusing to see the
laws faithfully executed. Hence he
made virtue of necessity, and sought
even to acquire credit for the discharge
Of a plain duty that could not be evaded
without personal risk. Ii was bitter
pill to swallow, but he gulped il down.
But when in the course Of this prose-
cution il became necessary to enter the
White House, and to indict Babcock as
the principal prop of the great conspir-
acy, the President could no longer hide
the resentment which had been preyi-
ously held in check when his other
friends were caught and convicted. He
was fully informed before the action Of
the Grand Juryof the nature and extent
Of Babcock's completely; and vet he
did not hesitate 10 pronounce him in
nocent. Since then he has followed up
that theory with extraordinary zeal and
interest. That unusual efforts were
made at Washington 10 avert an indict-
ment, will he shown whenever investi-
CATION shall reveal the whole truth Of
this case. The first Of them was in
tended to check the prosecuting officers
at 81. Louis, by private inquisition in
the Attorney-General's Office, which
should determine whether the evidence
against Babcock was sufficient to indict
him.
That proposed interference by Mr..
Pierrepont was promptly resisted by
Mr. BristOw as unwarranted, and had
to be abandoned. The President regard
ed this refusal a a blow leveled al him.
self through Babcock, and he has not
forgiven il. The knowledge, too, that
Bristow has declined in any way 10 aid
in making up a defense for the indicted
military secretary, has added To Grants
bitterness Of feeling. These facts serve
10 explain the unworthy assaults
now made upon MIR. BristOw in
the third-term organs nj Chicago and
in other cities. all Of which are inspired
from the White House. His motives
are assailed and his character i SLAM
dered. for no other reason than because
be exposed the Presidents iniimates,
who were detected IN stealing the reve-
nue. and dividing the proceeds. The OBJ
jet is 10 drive him out Of the Cabinet
and o. make room for "A tool who will
smile the swindlers. and stop the pros
ccgtions.
There are disclosures yet to be made
in Chicago and elsewhere, more astound-
ing than those at st. Louis. Other con-
fidential friends Of the President and To-
cal Republican leaders will surely be
Hence these various in
terests are all combined against Bris-
tow, and will move in every direction TO
force his retirement. They charge him
openly with the ambition 70 be Presi-
dent, and that his whole policy has been
10 that end This j. daily din
ned in the ears VI Grant, until he be-
lieves Bristow 10 be an enemy in his
camp, and the chief obstacle To his re-
election.
As a consequence of these intrigues,
Grant has given the cold shoulder to
BriStow, looks upon him with distrust, /
and excludes him from the intimate
His relation to The Admins
tration is now strictly official and noth-
ing more. He has been deserted by
Pierrepont, who at the beginning was
more than a colleague. but who has now
gone over % Grant and Babcock jew
Ell, too, the >elf-adyertised reformer,
has followed in his footsteps and is
among the most ardent worshiperS at
the White House.
OF the other members Of the Cabinet
who are only head clerks TO the Presi- I
dent and slaves TO his will, no independ-
ence was expected. They do not pre-
tend to manhood, and in this matter
they share all Of Grants hostility to
Bristow. But for the temper of the
public mind, the presence Of Demo |
cratic House Of Representatives and the
pending Whisky Ring prosecutions and
developments, Bristow would be sum
marily dismissed from office.
Fortunately FOR the ends Of Justice and
The exposure of revenue frauds. the Sec I
rotary of the Treasury is stronger to-day I
than his secret and avowed enemies |
united, who would force him into exile /