The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1876-03-10
''WHAT A FALL WAS THERE, MY
COCNTRYMEN.o

Like some dire disaster, some sudden
crash, without hint or warning, the
downfall of W. W. Belknap, the Secre-
tary of War, overwhelms the country
with surprise, and is a rude shock, as
painful as it is humiliating. The fact
that an honored soldier in the war
against the rebellion-a Cabinet officer,
holding high and honorable position
a aman whose character has hitherto been
unsuliied, against whom the most vio-
lent partisans could bring no charge
either of official or moral direliction Of
duty one who enjoyed the confidence
and respect of all who knew him either
personally or by repute-the fact that
such an one should accept a bribe for
the bestowal of patronage, awakens
within the breasts of all deep sense of
shame and sorrow, not unmingled with
indignation. 1t carries with it a stigma
that will not soon be blotted out-a re-
proaeh that will not soon be forgotten.
The deep disgrace does not attach to
Belknap alone. 1t casts odium in a
measure upon the administration Its
dark shadow is thrown back upon the
Republican party. 1t contaminates all
within its reach. 1t weakens the conf
dence of the people in public faith. 1t
gives severe shock to public virtue,
integrity and honor Other nations will
sDeeringly inquire if such official mall
feasance is an outgrowth of Republican
institutions. He who but yesterday
stood high in the confidence of the peo-
pie, is to-day bowed down in disgrace
and humiliation, from which he can
never recover, "with none so poor as to
do him reverence" What a sad COM
mentaryl Here is man, whose record
as brave and gallant defender of his
country is without blemish-who could
face danger at the bayonet's point and
the cannon's mouth-yet who could not
withstand the allurements and biandish-
ments that the almighty dollar held out.
He could stand before armed treason
with answering purpose-before the
insidious temptation of Pelf he yielded
aud fell. As soldier he was strong and
honored-as a man he was weak, and is
disgraced.
Damning, however, as is the crime
of Belknap and its consequent disgrace
to himself and humiliation to his friends
and the country, it was not sufficient to
forth call the extravagant assertion of
Hester Clymer, who in a melodramatic
style before the House declared that
''the facts are so plain that everywhere
through this broad land, and throughout
Christendom, wherever the English
language is read or spoken, they will for
years constitute record of official cor
ruption and crimes, such as there is no
parallel for in our own history, or in that
of any countay that know Of" That
is simply oratorical bosh, and if his dec
laration is to be accepted literally, he
owns up to an amount of ignorance that
is inexcusable in United States Repre-
sentative, who occupies the chairman
ship of an important Committee. There
are many cases on record that far exceed
this ininfamy. A notable instance is
that of John B. Floyd, the Democratic
Secretary of War under James Buchan-
an. He was charged with having stolen
and negotiated SS70, 900 of State bonds
belonging to the Indian Trust fund, and
in December, 1860, he was indicted for
malfeasanee in Office. and conspiracy to
defraud the government. To this in
dictment he did not answer, having left
the Capital before the embezzlement was
discovered and taken part in the rebel
lion. So this effort on the part of ely
mer to make political capital out of this
exposure will avail nothing. There is
not a Republican in the county but will
be as earnest as Mr.. Clymer in the mat
ter of dealing out the punishment such
an offense deserves. Certainly the Re-
publican members of the Committee
showed no backwardness i'm making the
exposure. Indeed the history of the
Republican party is ample evidence that
it is ever on the alert to purge itself
from every species of dishonesty and cor
ruption, whenever and wherever found.
1t is only to be regretted that no in
stance can be pointed to that would in
dictate similar disposition ON the part
of the Democracy.
Belknap's fall is a national Disgrace
a lamentable humiliation over which all
good citizens will mourn, without respect
to party.-Tdledo Commercial.