The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-07-27

Mr.. Carpenter, in hts defence OF Belknap
argued on Tuesday that the order Of the
Senate holding the articles Of Impeachment
were sufficient in law was erroneous. He
maintained that it was common all over the
civilized world for courts to reverse their
decisions, and read from the thirty-secoad
chapter Of Exodus to show that the
Almighty, after the prayer Of Moses, re-
versed his Judgment and forgaYe the people
OF Israel.
Continuing his argument, Mr.. Carpenter
said it was fortunate for the reputation Of
Moses that no newspaper press existed in
that day, for some Of his suggestions would
have been construed as disrespectful to the
Almighty. He then referred to the services
OF Belknap in the field, and said it was at
Shiloh, when face to face with Beauregard's
army, that General Grant first saw him. 1t
was the action OF Belknap on that day which
made him Secretary OF War. 1t was 4 Gil.
rious coincidence that few days ago the
impeachment proceedings were suspended
and the Senate passed q bill to remove the
political disabilities Of Beauregard. 1t then
resumed the trial to see if it could not in
flict political disabilities upon Belknap.
KERR's GOOD CHARACTER.
There had been striking instance OF the
weight OF good character in this city re-
Gently, and that was in the case OF Mr..
Kerr, Speaker OF the House Of Representa-
tivcs. He OIr. Carpcnter) believed Mr..
Kerr was as honest as any man IN the Sem
ate chamber, but the testimony against him
was twice as strong as that against Mr..
Belknap. The man who made the charge
against Mr.. Kerr did not run away the next
day for fear he would be arrested. A cross
examination did not break him down; but
Mr.. Herr was known as Il high-minded, up
right man, and the result was the House OF
Representatives unanimously acquitted
him against the positive testimony OF the
rascal who came here to convict him. There
was one circumstance in favor OF Mr.. Kerr;
he was Democrat; but he (Mr. Carpenter)
honestly believed il he had been Republic
can he would have been expelled. The Re
publican party had been organized and thus
far had survived upon principle which
would break up any family in the land.
SAVE NE FROM MY FRIENDS.
AS soon as any Democrat did anything
against Republican the whole Republican
party was up in arms and said, awe know
it is true, and we are glad Of the opportrlni-
ty to crush him." On the other hand, if i
Democrat was accused the Democratic party
demanded patient hearing. That party
had some sense, and knew that it was not
the true principle to kill off its leaders.
They called q halt and the Republicans
Joined with the Democrats in cXculpating
the party charged. He was glad of it, be-
cause il the Republican party could not do
Justice to its own members let it do justice
to Democrats. Taking all these things into
consideration he thought it the duty OF any
Republican entering upon q high office to
offer up the prayer. ''Lord, save me from
my friends During the seven years OF
General Belknap's administration as Secre-
tary of War millions Of dollars passed
through his hands without the loss OF Il shi-
ling. and it should require very strong
proof to satisfy senators that Belknap was a
thief when he appointed Marsh.
WHAT BELKNAP TOOK THE MONEY FOR.
Mr.. Carpenter then commented at length
on the law in regard to bribery, and argued
that Belknap had not taken money from
Marsh for the purpose of influencing his
official action, therefore, lie could not be
guilty OF the crime OF bribery. Continuing
his argument, he claimed that it was the III
tention which constituted the crime. II the
party making the present did so for the
purpose OF influencing official action, he
was guilty Of bribery; and if the official
accepting it allowed his official action to be
influenced thereby, he was guilty OF the
crime. lie then quoted at length from the
evidence, and argued that the charge OF
bribery in this case had not been proved.
At , O'Clock the Senate took recess for
fifteen minutes.
MRS BELKNAP's PRESENTS.
NT,. mn
! tinued his review OF the evidence. He
alluded to the family of General Belknap,
and said the defence had offered no testi-
mony to shift the responsibility from Bel,
knap to anybody else. He was Il man. His
shoulders were broad, and he was able to
| bear il. Marsh had testified that he at first
sent the money to Mrs. Belknap as a present
which he had perfect right to do, and it was
in violation of no law. He commented at great
| length on the testimony Of Marsh, and said
before he went before the committee nc
spoke Of going away, but Belknap got on
| his knees to him not to do so, but to stay
and tell the truth. Was it reasonable to be-
lieve that when Beknap made this en-
treaty of him he knew what he was going tc
testify to. II so, the Senate must Believe
Belknap an idiot, and therefore not liable tc
impeachment.
ADVICE TO WIVES AND swEETHEARTs.
The truth was that Belknap believed the
money was sent on account OF business
transactions. of his wife, while Marsh sup
posed that Belknap knew just why it was
sent, supposing Mrs. Belknap had told him
There was one moral lesson in this trial
which he would repeat for the benefit of tho
ladies in the gallery, and that was: Sweet.
hearts and wives, never keep secret from
your lovers or husbands. [Laughter.] Ht
next referred to the argument OF Manager
jerks, and said that gentleman had &C
cused Belknap of lying to Mellow
ell. A greater abuse than this wa
never perpetrated by one gentleman
upon another, and the evidence did mo-
sustain any such assertion. Mr.. Carpenter
then quoted from the testimony of Genera
Mcdowell, and argued that it showed the
Secretary requested him to draw up an order
to remedy the abuses complained OF at Fort
Sill. The conduct OF General BelknaI
throughout was that OF an innocent officer
and the order to correct abuses at Fort Sill
would have done so had it been carried on
by the officers at the post. -.
| Before Mr.. Carpenter concluded his argu
ment the Senate at do, sitting rs q court
&C., adjourned until tomorrow.
Senator West has been sued for service
rendered by private secretary. The claim
is for S., 600. Among the good deeds HI
| claims TO have negotiated is the sale O