The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-03-06
Nothing but GrnntIsm.

There is nothing TO astound the country
in the corruption of BELKSAP but the recll-
less manner in which he exposed himself
10 detection. During the last three years
THE Sun has repeatedly and in various
forms charged him with the crimes that
are now proven and confessed. Those
charges were specific, positive, and dam
ming Under amy honest Administration
they would at once have been sternly in
vesticated, and their truth, when proved
would have driven him into exile
under criminal prosecution. Not 50,
however uuder the rule Of Grantism.
Neither the President nor the party
in Congress would take any notice of the
gravests charges affecting the honor and
the honesty of the Secretary OF War. The
third term organs denounced them rs cal
umncs, after the example OF the Credit
Mobilier statcsmen; aud now when TIE
SUN is again Vindicatcd to the last letter. II
is not the crime which this rotten and ras-
cally Administration deplores, but its dis
covery.
BELKNAP was g professor OF Granti,m,
the natural outgrowth OF venal, job
bling. and pro1igate system. which. begin
the country, and includes every branch Of
the public service. lie felt sure of protcc-
ton from knowing the secrets of those
around him. lie knew Il Republican Con-
ercss would only investigate TO whitcwash,
if il could ever be forced TO 20 through
that partisan Formally. Hence, lie grew
arrogant careless, and by long immunity
and success defiant, until the Democratic
House Of Representatives exploded the
mine which has blown the Republican
party to fragments. The prctence that
this revelation was surprise to GRANT, or
the Republican leaders, is Il weak iuven-
ton to palliate their completely. The fac y
were all familiar long ago, with many
more shocking sim, which VIII now in
eyitably come TO light.
1t was impossible to conceal "A corruption
which blazed in diamonds, display, and
decoration. BELKSAP went to Washing
ton poor, glad to receive a salary the half
of which he had never been ablo to earn.
| His wife had no fortune or income except
| her beauty and her wits. She soon began
to figure in the shoddv society of the capt.
tai OF which the BEIKNAPs were soon
among the most conspicuous ornaments,
the most profuse in parade, and the most
| envied of that vulgar venal, and shame
less set. The money by which this ex-
travagance was supported was procured
through the sale of patronage in the
gift of the Secretary OF War, by
| blackmuliug contracts, and by other
scandalous means. All Washington knew
| it, and none better than the inmates
of the White House. Republican Sena-
tors and Representatives could not have
been ignorant when they ate BELKNAP's
luxurious dinners and drank his costly
wines, or thronged his wifcs splurging
balls, how they were paid for, since it was
| an open secret.
GRANTS part in striving to save BEL
KNAP after hearing his confession of guilt,
| is one of the darkest spots In this disgust
ing drama. Surprising that confession to
have been less than the whole truth, still
| BELKNAP did admit his crime of receiving
the money, aud ia the face Of that admis-
sion the President accepted his resgna-
| toni At half past nine o'clock on Thurs
| day morning BELKEAP confessed himself q
rogue thief anda purchased sQOIpdreI