The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1876-03-16
Bellnap's Political Record.
From, The Chicago Tribune, Ind.
The Chicago Times says:

pect its readers to believe this stuff:
'Belknap always was a Democrat
went into the war one, and came out
one was promoted when one, and was
one when he fell. But we feel as Bit
terly over the disgraceful cause of that
fall as if he had been born and lived a
Republican"
The Tribune expects its readers to
believe just precisely this stuff" be-
cause it is the truth. In characterize
ing Belknaps bribery as a national
disgrace. the Tribune but gave express
sion to the profound public sense of
the shame it brought upon the whole
country. Thereat up start the journ-
alistic spokesmen and defenders Of the
Democratic party; and in their chop
logic fashion, assuming that Belknap |
was bribe-taker because he was a
Republican, deduce that the great Re-
publican party is sharer in his guilt,
and that it is season for Republicans to
hide their faces for very shame sake.
The Tribune has not been in the habit
of assuming that because a man was a
and blackmailer; and notwithstand-
ing the record of the Tweeds, Sween-
eys, Conollys, Ingersolls. Cardozas,
Barnards, Schumakers, Floyds, and
Thompsons, the honest and decent
men of that party can hardly be con-
sidered as sharers in their infamy.
Since, however, that style Of argu-
ment is being applied by the Demo-
cratic press in the Belknap case, it is
perhaps well that the Democracy
should enjoy the full benefit of all
that can he made out of it. That they
can only do, when it is kept in mind,
as is the fact, that Belkpap entered
public life Democrat, and continued
a Democrat up to and during the time
he was filling his pockets with official
bribes. About twenty years ago he
made his advent in Iowa, as his fell
lowtonsmen at Keokuk bear witness,
as an active local Democratic poilti-
clan, and as such was elected to the
Legislature. During his term Of Of
flee as o Democratic member of the
Iowa Legislature was it that the first
insight into true inwardness of the
man was afforded by his embezzle-
ment of the funds of clients, intrusted
to him as a lawyer, and which his
law partner in practice had to make
good. Shortly after the close of his
legislative term the Democratic rebel
lion broke cut, and he entered the
army, where distinguished himself by
his gallantry and bravery, which Sc
cured his rapid promotion and enlis-
ted the friendship and esteem of Cen
eral Grant, His brilliant personal
daring, one Of the most notable illus.
trations of which was his jumping
into the trenches held by the Confed.
crates during the fight at Atlanta,
collaring a rebel officer, and under
fire dragging him back into the Union
lines prisoner, gave him additional
prestige.
After the war he remained Demo-
erat, and as such, by Andy johnson
was appointed Revenue Collector for
the keoluk district, in which Office,
out of consideration for his military
services, he was continued by Presi,
dent Grant. Even then rumors,
whether well or ill founded, were rife
as to his connection with whisky
rings, but none of these reached
Washington. When, by the death OF
the lamented.. Secretary Rawlins, the
President lost one the most sagacious
of his Cabinet advisers and the nation
the services of one of the abIest and
purest of men, Gen. Belkhap was ap.
pointed his successor, without any
consultation with leading Republi-
cans of Iowa or elsewhere. The selec-
ton of General Belknap, Democrat,
caused good deal of ill.feeling in Re-
publican circles at the time, and was
met with no friendly comment. But
the anger of the Republicans were of
in time, sna they became reconciled
to this eccentric appointment by the
report of the brilliant record he had
made in the war and the considerable
ability he was said to possess Up TO
that time Belknap had continued a
Democrat, though a War-Democrat,
and there is no evidence that at any
time since he has voted the Republi-
can ticket or changed his political
principles.
AS it now appears, he began by be-
traying the confidence of the Republi-
can President, and was active chiefly
as bribe-taker, continuing as such
until exposure followed and he re-
signed in disgrace, and through sup.
preston of the real facts, procured ac-
ceptance of his resignation. Such, in
brief, is his political record: A Demo
crat and embezzler before the war;
then, the one redeeming feature of it
all, a War'Democrat and brave
soldier; next, Johnson Democrat
and office holder vaguely suspected of
being member of the Whisky Ring;
and from thence transferred to the
Cabinet, through freak Of Executive
admiration of his galantry, to become
q bribe-taker.
SCIENTISTS are not agreed as to
whether it was a shower of butchered
cows or frogs they were favored with