The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1876-03-06

Win paLn0s Wnlcn WOuiu udfe com-
manded the attention of the House had
|lt not been paralyzed by the dreadful
facts themselves.
In the more pathetic portions of the
narrative Clymer was frequently forced
by his feelings to pause until his voice
recovered from its RIGHTEOUSNESS and
himself from his agitation.
At the close of the reading. and after
many members Who had taken up posi-
tions near the Clerks desk-the better
to hear the testimony and accompany
Ing statements-had returned to their
proper seats, Mr.. Clymer, who had also
gone to his seat, again rose and said
with great emotion:
MR.. SPEAKER-I would not II I could,
and could not, inmy present condition,
II L would, add anything to the facts
just reported to the House. Another
occasion may be afforded me to do so.
They are SO plain, that everywhere
throughout this broad land, and through
out Christendom wherever the English
language is read or spoken, they viii tor
long years constitute record Of official
corruption and crimes such as there is
no parallel for in our own history, or in
that oil any country that l know of. In
this hour, if one sentiment of pity, one
| word OF sympathy, could find utterance
| from me, it would be because feel that
the late Secretary of War is but the
proper outgrowth, the true exponent, Of
| the corruption, extravaganza and mis-
| government that have cursed this land
Tor years past. That being my own re-
Election, l will discharge my duty best
to myself and to this House by demand
Ing the previous question on the adop-
tion of the resolution.
Every manly heart would sympathize
with Mr.. Clymer when his duty thus
compelled him to read the evidence and
move the arraignment and impeachment
Of his boyhood's friend and the class
mate Of his youth, for an offense that
sent that friend and classmate down
lover the brink of moral Niagara to
utter and shameful ruin. Though polit-
ical opponents, they had always been
most cordial friends. His duty was one
that never before fell to the lot of man to
perform. He read the report of the Com.
mittee through, stopping at the end OF
every sentence to drink swallow Of
| water.
He was particularly affected when be
came to read that portion of 1T which
described the scene between the wit
ness (Marsh) Mrs. Belknap, and Mrs.
Bowers (the sister Of the then Mrs.
Belknap, and now herself holding that
/, name }, in the nursery, where the pecu-
MARY prospects Of the innocent child
were alluded to, and the other portion
which described the efforts made by the
wife to screen the husband, and the
mental anguish Of the witness between
the desire to save his friend and the re-
solve not to do SO at the expense OF his
own soul. MIR. Clymer had to pause sew
| eral times when he came to these pas
sages, and his strong emotion won favor
for him from all spectators. During the
proceedings Mr.. Kerr occupied the
Speakers chair, aud beneath him, at the
Clerks desk, sat his predecessor (Mr
Blaine), eyincing painful interest In
| tuS 1tuA3 40 tHAu IA wy lCPtimoHy VI
Marsh. ..
Thus ended the most bitterly painful
scene that ever took place iu the Halls o.
Congress, the theater OF SO many thrill
| ing events.
| Only one week ago Wednesday Mrs
Belknap had her last reception-tht
same day that Marsh came over from
| New York to give the warning, and sa
up all night with the Secretary and hi
wife planning method OF escape from
the impending ruin-and the reception
: was attended by all the tashionables Q
the city. Both are utterly crushed. Mrs
Belknap is stricken down with nervou
exhaustion, and it is feared she ma
never recover. The General has bee
reported again and again to have CON
q mitted suicide-rumors which aros
from his abject misery and desperation
-
II The Arrest of Marsh.