Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-03-07
sELKEAP As A sCApEGoAr.


BELKEAP AS A sCAPEGoAT.
The whole Republicans press held the
Democratic party responsible for Boss
Tweed's rascality when exposed four
years ago. but now they talk mildly
about Belknap's fall as an isolated case
that cannot and should not affect the
party. Circumstances alter cases. 1t
makes o difference as to whose OK is
gored. When we COM to think about
this as an instance Of unqualified, I'M
mitigated corruption it is not such an
isolated case after all. 1t may be larger
than the most of them, but it is only one
item in a list of many hundreds which
have been fostered and fattened under
the special protection of the govern
ment. The President has made it a
point 10 stick by his obscure friends in
high Offices, and the party has stuck
BY him for nearly eight years.
he has made it a boast that be would
never remove q man while "under fire."
Yet when a man under Ere, q confessed
criminal, wants 10 get away he is ready
enough to help him. And not only this,
but be has instructed the willing Attor-
ney-General to prosecute Marsh, the wit
ness, and others to the utmost extent. but
allowed Marsh to get away from the
country. This cannot defeat invesdga.
ton, but it displays a readiness to assist
every thief who may happen to be a
friend. Grant richly deserves impeseh-
meut himself. 1t was impossible, in the
nature Of things and his intimate per
sonal relations with the Belknsps, Robe
sons, Boss ~Shephsrds and General Ne
Donalds, for him not to know that they
we're engaged in corrupt practices. The
party on great occasions claims great
virtue. This is an occasion for much
virtuous indignation, but it comes TOO
late; it should have found suitable ex-
preston and been the forerunner Of re-
form four or five years ago. When 8
merchant employs q poor clerk at $500 q
year and soon discovers that he
gives champagne suppers, goes to
the opera, wears a Dig bonanza breast
pin. drives fast horses, dresses
~fashionably and Is able to spend his sum-
mer vacation at Long Branch, be knows
something is wrong and sets a watch Oh
the youth. This is q common-sense bus
mess principle, which should be observed
in governmental affairs as well as in pri.
vste business. But when a Republican
official at Washington, on a small salary,
blooms put suddenly into a millionaire
he becomes the pet Of society, the conf.
Dental adviser Of the Administration.
Those who had the right to investigate
the sources Of his new wealth made it
convenient usually to accept fAvors from
the beggar on horseback and become as
it were particeps criminis. All attempts
at investigation have been repealed and
always incurred the Presidents displeas-
ure. Boss Tweed gigantic swindles were
confined to a single city. but Republican
corruption reared its hydra head in every
State and territory of the Union and has
been protected wherever practicable, ex.
cept in very small cases. TIE little
thieves who had nothing to divide have
sometimes been punished with undue
severity. The big ones we're the friends
and patrons Of the government, often
debating its policy. The sdministra-
iion has been considered the govern.
ment, the government the chrystalliza-
tiSn of the party, and the party the ma
ton. Such fruit is as natural as the
blossoms On & dogwood tree in spring.
Conceslment has become impossible.
A womsn's shame sometimes reaches q
stage when it cannot be concealed from
the public eye. The Republican party
after controlling the government as If it
we're a perquisite for fifteen years, has
reached that stage in corruption. The
whole world sees it without Belknap's
confession or the testimony Of Marsh
II is rotten to the core; every 6bre and
blood vessel Of the whole system is pulled
out with the iehor that flows from the
ulcerous administration at Washington.
Belknap is 3 mere excresenee; be is an
effect; the r%ottennesB Of Republican rule
tle cause.