Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1876-09-29
ssPEDAK. sEPTENBfHA 20,
1876

=NlDu SO rst1-- s- Z 4-----
+ SXeI $500. Rl4E1i9tto2Iph' #.r
TAFT was unh aGap5so 'Hftaissapredecessors,
Askefman, Landahkt Williams and
Dear Lady Mafy"o'Pierrepont, kept
thsis names in everybody's mouth.
HSs* own name, however, the world
I seemed willing to let die. But Taft
and obscurity made not good bed-fel-
l6%s-Taft and infamy were far pre-
!. 5esaBfeL least so thought the Acting
. AEtofney General, and so thinking he
. sdaightway began walking in the ways
: of his predecessors. Like causes pro-
duce like results and Iaft's ambition
is now gratifed. His name is in every
mans mouth. Taft and infamy lie
down together, and Taft and infamy
rise up together. Together they live,
and move, and have their being, one
and inseparable, now and forever.
RTaft was an easy going old man,
generally reputed honest and we'll
meaning in the small circle in which
he lived, when in an evil hour he was
called to Washington to take care CT
the War Department, for no otler
reason. SO far as the world could see,
than that he knew nothing about its
duties. But he tarried not there very
long. 1t very soon happened amid
the changes and chances of cabinet
life under Grant that there was va
cancy in the Office of Attorney General,
and straightway Taft was translated to
it.
But he was happy for moment
only. A consuming ambition had
seized him. The brief taste of power
and the briefer pleasure of seeing his
insignificant name blazoned in print
every morning in every paper from
one end to the other of this
vast country completely dazed
the weak mind of the poor old man
who during bis whole life had never
gotten beyond his county or at most
his State papers. But that sort OF
thing could not last. He is an in
daily in the papers for more than a
week at time and SO Mr.. Taft, as he
settled quietly to work in the Attor-
ney Generals Office, found he was also
quietly settling once more into obscur-
ity and insignifcance land this be
could not bear" Something must be
done and it was done. The famous
or rather the Infamous marshal order
was issued and Taft was once more
happy, for his name was in every
paper and in every type of every
size. But even that could not last
always. The circular, infamous as 1t
was in purpose and in doctrine, created
not a nine days wonder and then
lingering scarce did live until Sher
man gave it death blow in 6
counter letter and Taft was agair
unhappy. And then the old man re.
solved within himself that the time fol
child's play had passed and that if b.
would equal Landaulet Williams h'
must follow in his footsteps.
But honor and honesty and; trutl
and law and constitution and countr,
must all be left behind by the MAJ
who treads the path that Williams
trod. Honor and honesty and trntl
and law and constitution are not girls
for the Southern outrage mill, and tina
is the mill that never fails to grind i
only the grist be brought to it. Iaf
proposes to set that mill agoing
His friends are giving it out that he is
in daily receipt of letters from TIN
South filed with stories of the mos
horrible outrages. These alleged let
tiers are to be embodied in campaign
speech which Mr.. Taft intends to de
liver in Ohio shortly. From what il
said, Mr.. Taft, as an outrage manufac
turer, will in this effort prove himself
superior to Mr.. Williams or any 9th er:
in the same line, and Taft is no Longer
unhappy.
Poor Taft What strong infatua
ton it is that possesses the man Ant
is it possible that he cannot see the
end? Does he forget that Alderman
career ended in shame, Williams il
disgrace and Pierrepont in ridicul'
and contempt The end of Taft's way
is infamy and he has reached it
Poor Taft