The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-03-07

EHect-what Madame Grundy and
Miss Flora MeFlimsy Think About
t-No Financial lie gislation Praba-
BILE This session.
From our Regular CorrespondenLl
WASHINGTON, March 4.
No words can give an adequate idea Of
the profound sensation in this city, oc-
casioned BY the disgrace which the Sec
rotary of War has brought upon the
country. To say that the Republicans
are dumbfounded and terror stricken, and
that the Democrats are shocked at the
very magnitude Of their own discovery,
is to give but faint description of the
thrilling and general horror caused by
this National Centennial shame.
ITS POLITICAL EFFECT.
Prominent Republicans say that this
will insure defeat in Now Hampshire,
while others do not hesitate to express
the fear that it will ruin the party
and give the Democrats the Presidency
! in the coming election. The Democrats
arc sorrowiul rather than exultant, feel
ing deeply the disgrace in the eyes OF
| foreign nations, and loss of national self
respect The country first heard OF the
existence of w. w. Belknap,. when he
was made cabinet minister, and given
| the portfolio of war, and now 1t hears OF
him again, and he is odiously historic for
ever. To-day, in every civilized coun-
try and in every tongue this disgrace Is
the subject Of discussion, comment, moral,
and speer; but there is no reason why
this man should be honored with choicer
inyective than the most hardened GRIM
inal. That the Secretary of War should
appreciate the dignity and sacredness OF
a national trust, or regard 1t IN any
higher light than a personal emolument,
Is not in the ethics OF the administration
that appointed him. We have come to
look upon these fine sentiments as I'm
professional among the appointees OF the
President. and In the Republican party
AS 1t is
Gen. Belknap has long been promi-
mont figure head here, his
fine physique AMI distngue pies
ence, have made HIM conspicuous
as the finest looking man in the Cabinet.
He might have been seen on any fine
| afternoon, driving with Mrs. Belknap
in an elegant carriage, behind superb
bav horses and liveried driver and foot
man. He always looked the incarna.
ton of official probity, and although his
bearing was naughty and superciIIous, |
am told by those who know him, that he
was as Chesterfield would have him, firm
and considerable toward his interiors, un
reserved and hearty with his equals. and
unembsrrassed but respectful in the
presence of the King.
The history of his career is simple but
its moral is wide. The silent, sagacious
man" called him from obscuritv and
! forced a greatness upon him, the social
| surroundings of which made his light
head dizzy and proved too great for his
weak moral stamina, He found his
mediocre self, by virtue of office, IN the
vortex of the most vulgar, frivolous and
extravagant society that ever democrat
lzed seat of government He and his
fas hionsble wife wanted more money for
their booth in vanity fair and they stole 1t
/ The nation Is Inundated and outraged,
not so much by the common instrument
whom the event has matte conspicuous,
and Tor whom, in common with other
criminals the penitentiary will do, but
bv the administration and party that has
GROSSLY abused q sacred trust, that has
scandalized It's name among the people
that has darkened its history with IN
effacaeble stains through this representa-
tive appointment.
1t is currently reported to-day, that the
Secretary OF the Navy will be the next
to fall under investigation, and 1t is be-
lieved bv those with sagaciols noses tor
important news, that but three of the pre-
! sent cabinet will be able TO stand. The
air is resonant with rumon and indignant
newspaperdom, having been surprised
once. has resolved itself into nil admir-
a,.d,l,n state and will hereafter look upon
ali discoveries of bonanZas OF official cor
ruption, a. matters Of course, long since
anticipated.
There is a general expression of re-
cret in society here that 1t was not Mrs.
Robson. the wife OF the Secretary OF the
/ Navy, who is not liked, instead Of Mrs.
Belknap. who is charming, splendid,
lust TOO sweet for anything. etc. The
sympathy for this unhappy woman Is
very general. but even this gentle due
REQUIRE. ANALYSIS. Is it over woman
detected IN a vulgar crime that we weep!
Very good; humanity is weak. pity Is
divine-we will blend our tears. But
have We not read daily, and without
emotion. ot feminine THEFT provoked, may
be-. by hunger or other powerful necesSl-
~ Perhaps these are maudling senti-
mental tears. a hbation to gaudy fashion
place tinsel. Let us be consistent and
weep for every unfortunate that the press
brings II our notice, or else blush for
our tear, on this occasion. humanity
is as majestic clothed in rags rs when be-
dighted in feur dc lis
1t was interesting to observe the variety
of facial expression among certain pres
idential aspirants when the report Of the
committee was read in Congress. Mr
Bl.iac looked dutifully solemn as n COW
hat il seemed difficult for him TO conceal
furtiye exulta,ion over this last gasp Of
the third term. Mr.. Conkling no doubt
fol. the blow more keenly than his rlva
from Maine. because this disgrace vii
imr4ir the power of the ADMINISTRATION
rot only to renominate itself, but to name
the successor.
All other intelligence seems unimpor:
tant in comparison with the Belknap al
fair; but the week has been eyentiuI IL
the apparent final decision Of the Demo
cratic caucus to agree TO disagree, silently
on q financial policy, and to acdres'
itself exclusively to the work OF invest
cation and the reduction Of National e1'
penses. The majority realizes that it II
in no way responsible for the fnsncia
status, and that. from its foundation to IL
climax in ruin, the Republicans have
hean thu srchitpcts and contractors and