Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1876-03-16
BELkNAP,

Later information concerning the particu-
hrs OF the Belknap scandal fails completely to
develop any facts which might tend to palliate
or eXtenuate the offence with which the ex-
Secretary is charged. The drift of the intelli-
Sence that first came to hand was in the direc
7IOn Of proof that Belknap had been made the
Tsctim of the duplicity and avarice of his
wife, and this supposition rather induced per-
fsoEs to regard him only with pity. But the
truth as manifested in the sworn Il fStimony
of Marsh shows that Belknap was deliberately
the Parpetrator of crime of the most infa-
nous character; that he regularly received
sums of money from the men who purchased
his honor; that he prostituted the power of
his high position to the basest uses. such as
would have been shameful if they had been
INDUCED by the lowest political blackguard in
the country. Perhaps this is piteous specta-
clo, but there is reason for believing that
Belknap does not deserve an expenditure of
sympathy from honest people. The testimony
against him includes distinct accusation that
he persecuted with bitterness at least one
army officer who suspected the frauds. and
who boldly and prOpen}y declared his sus-
picions. If this is the truth, Belknap is not
only a rascal, but particularly mean and
cOwardly one, and that he suffers acutely now
is only triumph for that justice which does
not win complete victories quite often enough
for the good of this wicked world. Instead
of deserving mercy, he should be made to suf-
fer more; he ought to be punished with at
least as much severity as is meted out to the
thief who filches few goods, Or minor of
ficer of the government who is proved to be
unfaithful. He has betrayed his trust, brought
shame and disgrace upon the government and
upon the party that honored him, forsworn
hiTaself, crawled through the filthiest mire of
corruption and offered deadly insult to the
entire nation. That he should step down and
out that remorse should prey upon his soul.
that he should go into shameful retirement
these things are not enough. He ought to be
made an example of for the benefit of any
/ other public officers who are disposed to walk
in the same crooked paths and if he is not
severely punished, the people will regard his
escape from a just retribution with very in
tense dissatisfaction.
1t is recalled now, as another count in the
| general indictment against him, that it was he
who mstigated the charges brought against
( General O. o. Howard, some years ago, ac-
+ cusing that officer of perpetrating frauds in
I the management of the Freedmans Bureau.
/ Belknap appeared at the time in the character
[ of apublic officer who firmly persisted in sac
rificing his personal feelings to the perform
ance of his duty. General Howard was ac-
quilted, aster careful investigation; and now
we learn that, while he was spotless, as his
friends were confident he was, his prosecutor
was engaged in committing crimes of more
Infamous character than thosc of which he
accused Howard. Belknap expended his
malice upon Howard at last by sending him
off to the far Northwest, where he yet re-
mains, and where he will hear of the downfall
OF the Secretary with the feeling that retribu-
tive justice has avenged him upon his enemy.
Ph'Se- Eoe'g. Bulletin, (Hepu6Eeaa.)