Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1876-03-10

the credit of Gen. Grants administration \
has had to sustain. Indeed, it is at least
very doubtful whether it will sustain the
shock, and whether the Republican party,
It 1t IS to go into the coming canvas with
the shadow OF chance, will not have to
repudiate altogether the administration it
has been SO industriously praising. Gen.
Grants explanation of his hasty acceptance
OF the imperiled secretary's resignation
may be accepted and we gladly believe that
1t was merely piece of inconsiderateness,
and not of deliberate purpose to let a
"guilty man escape" But his evil genius
cllngs to him in the subsequent appoint
ment of Secretary Robson to care for the
bereft department.
The New York s'Evening Post" says:
1t is a great misfortune for the admins
tration of President Grant that this shadow
has fallen upon it; but no matter where
shame may fall. or how heavily all the facts
in the case, and in all the cases, if there is
more than one, must be made public, and
the justice which they shape must be ell
forced without hesitation. It is disgrace
full to the government that trusted Off
Ger in a high position should betray his
trust, but it is a greater reproach to per-
NIT the offender to escape punishment.
The New York Commercial tAdverti-
ser" says:
The disclosures made at Washington i'm
plicating Secretary Of War Belknap are of
d most disgraceful and startling nature.
The charge that Mr. Belknap has corrupt
ly received money for offices, if substan-
tiated, will be one of the most disgraceful
episodes in our history. If Mr.. Belknap is
guilty he must be punished as his offense
deserves. We are sure there will be none
OF that support from the President that
has been given to those who have hereto
fore been suspected.
The Philadelphia Ledger says;
1t is a development before which the
most inveterate searcher after official
1halfeasance and corruption must shrink
back in distress and CONSERVATION. 1t is
development about which men may well
feel more like putting on mourning than
| indulging in cries of exultation. If with
out personal guilt, he cannot fail to be the
subject of the deepest commiseration, yet
still his sufferings will be intense. Wheth-
er innocent or guilty, such a man with
l.such antecedents and surroundings must,
I in his present situation, suffer more than
twenty TWeeds would suffer in twenty
| years. If guilty, every man who prizes
the honor OF his country, and who would
| uphold the efficacy OF her laws and strive
to maintain purity in the government,
must say let the law take it's course.
Tie Philadelphia Times say:
| There have been foolish, incapable, evil
administrations before this one, but none
that has done such deep and lasting mis-
chief. In its laWlessness, it's disregard OF
constitutional restraints, it's narrow par
| tisansh!p, the administration Of President
Grant has earned just condemnation; but
all these things are trifing when compared
with the sordid influence which it has ex-
0rGed, and its subordination of honor, JUS
tice, and even honest ambition to the greed
Of gain. 1t is not in Washington alone,
but in every State, in every city in every
little town throughout the land, that this
! deadening Influence is felt Public offices
are barJered in open market, and officers
no longer seek to serve the public, but to
serve themselves. To be rich, or to APP
| pear rich to make q show in the world,
to build fine houses and wear fine clothes,
and give grand entertainments--the
things constitute the ambition Of the public
men and women Of to-day, and to accom-
| plisf these all old fashioned ideas of honor
and integrity are thrown TO the winds.
Forney's Philadelphia Press says
The vulgar lust for riches is the beset-
ting sin Of the day, and this morning the
whole country will be startled by another
terrible illustration OF its working and eff
feet. Belknap the soldier, with the sim
pie manners and hard fare of the camp,
was a man who deserved well of his couu-
try; Belknap the honest rural official of
Iowa, with his accounts promptly squared
to the dollar, was contented ana honora-
BILE citizen; Belknap the public man of
Washington, is - WE'LL let every man,
! as his own sense of honor prompts him,
finish the sentence. It is startling com
mentary on cur social life that nearly ev-
cry case of official corruption developed
during the last year-eyery crime done,
every bride taken-has been to. gain the
| means to support a short season Of vulgar
social extravaganza. 1t is not drink, it is
not gaming, it is not RIGHTEOUSNESS, which
drags down one after another Of our pub
lie men in this time. Itis-terrible truth
their wives and daughters.