Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1876-10-28
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER,
WASHINGTON, D. c., !
October 81, 1876.
BELKNAp's OPINION OF THE PRESS.

tors believed they had no jurisdiction
over private citizen, took quite
prominent part in the celebration of the
Society OF the Army of the Tennessee
in this city. He rode in the procession,
occupied seat OIL the platform during
the exercises at the Mcpherson Monu-
meut, and wCre the badge Of the society
conspicuously on the lapel OF his coat.
His presence was remarked with much
annoyance by many members of the So
ciety and others, who agreed that, had
he possessed an ordinary sense OF pro-
priety, he would have remained away.
Probably almost every man, woman aud
child who is familiar with the circum-
stances, i'll his case is convinced that the
charges against him were well-tounded,
and under stands that he was allowed to
escape, no; because the evidence would
not Justify his conviction, but because,
AS before stated, majority OF the Sen
ate conscientiously believed they had
no jurisdiction; for the reason that when
he Was inipeached by the House he was
no longer All officer of the Government.
On the day before the ceremonies con-
necled with the unwilling OF the Nc
Pherson statue, a number of newspaper
men called at the headquarters Of the
committee Of arrangements to receive
their badges. General Belknap was
present at the time and said to one OF
the reporters whom he kneW:
IL say, Mac, do you know why those
press badges are white 2
No, DO not" was the reply.
"Well, | do" said Belknap, Ironically.
"Ihey are white to indicate the purity
of the press. The purity of the press /!
God damn it," he SAID, with sudden
bust of feeling; and, turning away he
added "you might as well speak of the
purity of the devil himself J" The ex-
post trader has no good bI0od for the
press which did so much toward bring
ING his crimes before the public. And
no wonder.
COLUMBUS ALEXANDER,
whose name is familiar 10 the country
OH account OF his efforts to bring to JUS
tice tie conspirators who planned the
burglary Of the safe in the District AT
;orneys office, i'll this city, few years
ago, evidently has an abiding faith III
the election of Tilden aud Hendricks.
lie has written letter TO the District
Attorney here requesting that the trial
of the case OF the Government against
Harrington be postponed until after
Narch 4th, next. This is rather broad
intimation that, in his opinion, Demo
cratic District Attorney would be more
successful in the prosecution OF the safe
burglary conspirators than the present
incumbent. General Wells, the present
District Attorney, was for time, dur
ing the war, Provost Marshall of the
City of Alexandria, just across the 70
tomac, in Virginia; and the local papers
assert that although he was III no per
souai danger he had had manufactured,
and actually wore, at all times, coat Of
mail underneath his uniform. This may
or may not be true; but it is Certain that
coat OF mail is on exhibition at the
historical museum in Richmond, the la
bel of which states that it was found i'll
the headquarters of Gen. Wells, at AL
exandria, on his departure from that
CITY after the war, and that it is suppoS-
ell it was worn by him to protect him
self from assassination. The career OF
Wells in the District of Columbia as q
prosecuting officer has not been very
brilliant one. He has secured no im-
portant convictions, and, under his ad
minstralion, gambling and other dis
reputable houses flourish precisely rs
they did under Judge Fisher, his pre-
drcessor. a gentleman inquired OF
prominent police official, the other day,
"Why don't you arrest the keepers of
the gambling houses 2 "Whats the
use?" was the reply. at is utterly im-
possible TO secure conviction. ! can
only say that the police are willing to
do their duty if the prosecuting officers
and juries will do theirs" Comment is
unnecessary.
GRANTS PROCLAMATION.
There is good deal of excitement in
Washington on the course pursued 10y
the President in ordering troops to be
sent to South Carolina, at the request
of the Governor Of that State. 1t is
thought 10y many persons that this is
only the beginning OF the end'-the
commencement of concerted scheme
to place and keep North Carolina. South
Carolina, Mississippi, Alabama. Louisiana
aud Florida under republican rule and
that, in few days, some pretext will
be cooked up for sending troops into all
those States But the Democracy of
the South will never consent TO be ruled
by maioritirs of rpet-baggers and ne
groes. They will insist upon managing
the affairs OF their respective States. If,
iutertered with by the unconstitutional
invasion of their territory by U. S.
troops, any difficulty should arise,it must
he charged to the President and his cab
met, who are the aggressors. The Dem
ocrats of the North will justify resist
ance to tyranny by their brethren of the
South, and will back them, not only
sympathe,ically, but, if necessary, mate
rally.
NEW YORK.
There seems to be no doubt that the
electoral vote OF New York, which will
decide the election, will be cast for Til
den. The Hon. John Morrissey and
other influential friends of Mr.. 1'ilden,
in New York City, as we'll those cou-
connected with the Talumany Society