The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1876-03-17
FROM Our Own Correspondent D


the past week has been, of course, the
impeachment by the House of the late
Secretary of War for high crimes and
n,isdemeanors in office, and matters con
nected Herewith. /: w;ll be -ocoiiected
by my readers that this terrific thunder
bolt had exploded in clear sky, astound
ing all men, just about the time OF my
last epistle, and that l spoke OF it ther
in general terms. No man who was not
present in Washington can imagine the
tremendous effects of this revelation OF
almost openly confessed guilt on the
part of an official who up to that time
had been al post universally regarded as
the very embodiment OF open, manly
candor, and Of personal integrity. Bel
KNAPP had no enemies here except few
ex-officers of the army who had been
cashiered for crimes and nasty conduct.
Among tho princesses of society his wife
reigned the acknowledged queen-a
woman of rare beauty, magnificent taste,
and the most fascinating personal and
intellectual charms. Nor was she more
splendid in society than she was affec-
tonate and lovely at home devoted
wife and even an uncommonly loving
and tender mother. The Investigations
of the committee had been conducted
with perfect secrecy. Even the news
paper men of the journals of the city
knew nothing of what was going on till
they got the news from Baltimore pa
per.
And thus the awful blow falling so
suddenly and unexpectedly created the
most intense and universal excitement
ever witnessed at this excitable capital.
There was political panic more excited
than any financial panic which ever sent
dismay and ruin through Wall street, or
frightened the brokers of London out of
their seven senses. In the excitement of
the moment men lost their wits. This
was palpably the case with the House of
Representatives., which impeached the
offending ex-Secretary almost without
debate, under the operation of the pre-
vious question, to discover afterward
that the actionswas unwisely hasty, and
that the managers of this proceeding had
been so intent upon securing formal i'm
parchment that they had utterly neglect
ed to secure the means of making that
impeachment successful at the bar of
the Senate.
And upon this grave mistake we have
had debate after debate since, IL which
a good deal of party heat has been emit
ted. | do not charge the responsibility
for the acknowledged mistake which has
been committed upon either party. But
the result, wherever the responsibility
belongs, is a serious dilemma. 1t is this
The ex-Secretary OF War having been
unanimously impeached by the House,
the House has now to admit that there
is not particle of evidence within its
reach on which Gen. Belknap could be
convicted This is the situation at this
moment. Belknap is impeached and his
trial cannot go on for want of testimony.
The point of dispute is, who is respon-
sible for this want of testimony. Upon
this we have had elimination and recrim-
nation enough to make a volume of
abusive epithets. do not pretend to
decide the point. 1 must be permitted
to say, however, that L regret the fact
that any party debate has arisen upon a
subject of this kind, and to hope that
the offending official may in due time
have a fair, full, and impartial trial be-
fore the august tribunal which the Con
stitution provides for cases of such mo-
mentOus Importance.
BELKNAP IN COURT.
1t is well known that the impeachment
of an official in no wise interferes with
his trial in court of criminal jurisdic-
ton for any offense against the law. A
Judgment of impeachment may be de-
scribed as a moral and political punish
ment. 1t consigns the offender to the
condemnation of mankind, and deprives
him forever of the privilege of holding
office of honor or trust. The meaning
of conviction in criminal court all men
understand. Criminal proceedings against
Gen. Belknap were instituted few days
ago, and he was compelled to go before
the justice of petty police court and
enter into bonds for his appearance be-
fore the Supreme Court of the District
in case of his indictment by the
grand jury. Upon this occasion
Gen. Belknap was accompanied by
his counsel, Montgomery Blair
and Hon. Matt. Carpenter, of Wis
consin. The ex-Secretary appeared
much subdued in manner. His deport-
ment was modest, the expression of his
Ease exceedingly sad, or perhaps it would
be better described as awe-struck.
There was, too, a certain manly air about
him, which instantly forbade any feeling
of derision, which indeed caused the
spectators to give him sort of mourn.
full respect, and to express regret at the
fall of a man of such imposing presence
and so many fine qualities. BY reason
of some accident his bondsman did not
arrive for an hour or two. The General
was taken to private room in the build
ing, where he remained without inter
ruption, meodily walking up and dowr
the apartment. At his house, lately
so gay and joyous, he receive,
calls from friends who hav,
the pluck to stand by 18th,
under dog in the fight" to all of whom
he gives sorrowful but grateful greet
ing. He says nothing whatever of tn,
dark cloud that now lowers on his house
PINCHBACK.
The congressional event of the week
so far as results are concerned, was tn
rejection of the claim of Z. b. S. Pinch
back, of Louisiana, to seat in the Sen
| otto This Uaa accommodated IN, Uo1ooo