The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1876-03-08

than leave the rotten wreck to its merited
tate.
Presents aud Bribes-WhO IL RespOn.
sibIe for the National Disgrace?
The press of the country has been so
much appalled, by the humiliating dis
closures at Washington that 1t seems to
have ovt Rocked the true inwardness of
the Bslknsp disgrsce-the distinctive
cause which led to it, the lessons to be
drawn from it, and the resp onsibility to
the country of Gen. Grants administra-
ton and the Republican party for it. And
frat as to tie cause which, In al
human probability, led to so lamenta-
be lapse from official duty,
personal honor, pablic patriotism, social
decency, private purity and common
honesty. Cupidity and vanity have each
had q part in 1t no doubt, but the main
factors are to be sought in the contsmi-
mating influences by which Gen. Grant
has surrounded his fsvorites, his psrni-
cious example of present taking, and his
all powerful protection of convicted public
plunderers and thieves. When the court
is rotten to the core it is worse than folly
to look for honesty among the courtiers.
If the president may with grace accept
presents from would-be office holders, it
Is not matter of establishment that his
subordinates should expect to take brides
with impunity. Is it to be wondered at
that a cabinet officer should take
a bride, distinctly offered as such,
when his chief has been vir-
tually guilty of the same offense
upon a larger scale and honored in the
face of it by a denomination at the hands
OF the party OF great moral ideas, and tri-
umpbsntly elected by the people over a
statesman like Mr.. Greeley? What differ
ence is there in principle between the two
offenders? General Grant condescends to
accept pscuniary presents from A. T.
Stewart and Murphy, and others. and all
sorts of "moveables" from every one else
who offers them and rewards the donors
pori poSsa with public offices OF
trust and profit, from cabinet seats
and port colleotorships to postmaster
ships; and Gen. Belknap, mis- shoulder
strap satrap, accepts part of the emolu-
ments OF an sppointee for mis- influence in
procuring an appointments. In one case
the present precedes the reward, and in the
other the reward follows the appointment.
That is the whole of iG in a nut shell.
But the pernicious and communicating ex-
ample, be it said with all hu-
initiation, does not stop here.
Mrs. Belknap Is also guilty
partner, and comes in alike for a share in
the profit and shame. Has Black Friday,
and Brother-in-law Corbin and the 500. 900
investment for Mr.. Grants benefit been
forgotten? Is not Landaulet Williams at
large defending, with a fellow feeling
which makes him wondrous kind, other
offenders against decency, to say the least
of it? Was not Boss Shepherd reap
pointed by General Grant after
conviction of the most shame.
tul populations? Is Moses, the
feloD, ct id omHe genus, supported by the
administration, and have not the thieves
who have been plundering the South for
years been systematically encouraged by
the administration, and sustained by fed
ersl bsyonets in places purchased ty
bribery, and dishonored by the most
brazsn corruption? Has not General
Schenck, In the face of the protests of the
Brithish people and of the remonstrance
of honest men Of all shades Of political
opinion, been retained as the representative
of the honor of the nation &C the
Court OF st. James, Notwithstanding his
notorious prostitution of his high office for
private gain? But we are gravely told
that the president is outraged by
these disclosures of his favorite's
malfeasance, and wishes he were
dead. 1t Is ludicrous enough, did it not
move the nation to tears OF humiliation,
to make it laugh despite the
disgrace, to see the pot so bitterly
incensed at the kettles black
ness? No fair minded man can deny
the guilty responsibility Of the admin
istration, and no one at all familiar with
party principles will for one moment ques-
ton the direct responsibility to the
country of the Republican party, which
has twice honored Gen. Grant, and Is at
this moment standing at his back. And
nothing short OF the rebuke OF a
RELOCATION to original obscurity OF
the whole ships crew OF public
pirates can relieve even measurably
the nation from the disgrace
with which this disclosure has over