The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-08-07
Mr.. Blacks Defence OF BeIkuav.

Tho acquittal of BELKNAP was q great
professional victory for his senior coun-
sci, Mr.. JEREMIAH =. BLACK. Mr.. BLACK
was formerly Judge of the Supreme
Court Of the State OF Pennsylvania, and
afterwnrd Attorney C eneral Of the United
states lie now stands among the fore
most in the front rank Of practising law
yers in this country. His argument in
BELKNAP's behalf may be ranked rs one
of his greatest professional efforts. In
parts it rose TO lofty heights Of eloquence
His poTtraiture OF WEBSTER was equal to
any ever drawn of the illustrious states
man. Mr.. BLACK urged in defence of his
client, doctrines for which ne declared his
own adherence, but which he maintained
are the law Of the land.
We impute, however. the acquittal of
BELKNAP to the want Of talent equal TO
Mr.. BLACKS on the part Of the Managers
OF the impeachment. We believe the
facts and the law were both squarely
against his client, and that on the merits
he deserved to he pronounced Guilty.
The acceptance of a mere Eratuity on
the part of public officer, with the intent
that his official conduct shall be influenced
Of bribery. OF course that intent like the
intent in case OF homicide, may legally
and properly be inferred from circum-
stances. Seldom, IL ever. is it TO be sup
posed that it would be distinctly avowed.
For instance, we find that EVANS holds
an appointment as post trader, which.
owing TO a change in the law, is about to
expire. He desires TO be reappoint-
ed. He applies TO BELKNAP, then Sec
rotary of War, who, under the new law.
holds the appointing power. The Secre-
tary tells him a man named MARSH has the
promise of the place, and refers him to
MARSH TO find out what can be done about
it, An arrangement is made by which
EVANS pays MARSH a large sum of money.
MARSH pays to Secretary BELKSAP a lesser,
but still large sum of money. Can there
be any reasonable doubt that MARSH paid
this money and that BELKSAP received II,
with the intention that the Official conduct
OF BELKNAP should be influenced by itf
Is there room for a rational doubt that 10
confirmed and strengthened the tenure Of
EVANS at the post, and the opportunity q
MARSH TO rcceire a part Of the prOcecdSI
OF course, it would necessarily influence
the conduct OF Secretary BELKNAP in his
office. 1t gave both EVANS and MARSH a
fearful power over him. From the mo-
ment he received the first thousand dol
lars he became their abject slave. At any
time they could effect his removal, and his
disgrace and ruin-as they ultimately did.
Can n public officer accept that which
changes his condition from freeman's TO a
slaves, and his Official conduct not be in
1uenced thereby Preposterous
Mr. BLACK urged, with much apparent
effect. that BELKNAPs conduct was no
worse than GRANTS. We think the dis
tinction between the two would be very
flne-drawu. We believe the acts Of the
President Of the United states have, in
several instances, filled the fun measure Of
the statutory crime OF bribery. But the
brevitv OF the remaining portion OF his
official term, and the renown Of his mill
tary fame, wonld render his conviction
impossible. The acquittal Of BELKNAP
does not wipe out his dishonor; and the
omission to impeach GRANT will not
lessen his shame.