The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1876-03-22

THE CABINETS DISGRACE
REPUBLICAN TACTICS TO COVER THE
DOWNFALL.
MORE OF IT AND WORSE COMING
GRANT ANXIOUS ABOUT HIS OWN
BACON.
PINCHBACK is REJECTED
WASHINGTON,
Mar. IL, 1861
EDITOR DEMOCRAT
The past week has been one of un-
usual excitement in Washington
Following the startling disclosures
that caused Belknap's downfall, and
the contemplation Of the great public
disgrace, have come signs and ru-
mors of other developments equally
damaging, which have kept alive a
feeling of constant expectancy. One
popularity of the present condition
of public sentiment is readiness to
believe every sort of rumor. So
much corruption has already been
proven, and so much more is known
we'll enough to exist, though not yet
put in black and white, that nothing
now would produce astonishment.-
1t would not be very great surprise
to the majority of people here to wit
ness the impeachment within the
next few weeks of three more Cabi-
net officers, together with the Presi-
dent himself-and in view Of all that
is transporting cannot say that such
a state of things is by any means inn
probable.
Never was there such a quaking
among office holding thieves as at
this hour. None feel safe. Each
thinks his turn may come next
Hence there is running to and fro.
Private interviews are many and con-
fidential correspondence large. Each
plunderer and bride bought official is
fortifying with might and main
Thousands of letters and kilograms
are being cast into the flames. Dan
gerous witnesses are being hurried
out of the country, or their eternal
silence bought for price. Parties
who know damaging and damning
facts are ''seen" and besought, by all
that is holy and hellish, never, never,
never to divulge. The men in au.
thority are now the men who know
the bottom facts in rascalities.-
These are the men who can demand
terms.
The Republicans are very much
crushed in spirit, not only by what
has already come to light, but
through dread and anticipation OF
further exposures. Their desperate
tactics are strikingly peculiar. A
most .vindictive spirit is displayed
toward members of the Committee
who were instrumental in unearthine
the ex-Secretary's misdeeds, and es
pecially toward the witness Marsh
who told. The sudden and violent
attack of virtuous indignation which
seized the President and his Cabine,
is something wonderful. They re
solve to push the indictment of thu
late Secretary of War, as we'll a.
Marsh, the man who paid Belknar
over $4,000 for the privilege O
swindling our soldiers on the from
tier. The vile creature, Marsh, mus
be punished with especial severity
for did he not ruin "all of us?"-
There may be other "vile creatures
who may want to tell of other moneys
given for like privileges, and, if any
of them dare do so, how call of u.s.
will see that he meets the punish
ment he deserves for not having NOR
sense than to let the fact be know,
to any of the Congressional Iuvesti
eating Committees.
After resorting to these means 70
frightening this and other witnesse
away, they set up hypocritical how
against the committee for allowin,
him to escape. But this game ha
been blocked by the passage Of an &C,
which the Senate will not dare de
feat, giving immunity to witnesse
who by their testimony aid in secul
ing the ends of justice. The i'm
parchment articles are withheld pen
ding the enactment of such law, s
that the necessary evidence for ju
dicial hearing of the case may not b
lacking. Meanwhile, Belknap ha