The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1876-04-14
Grants Doom.

There is abundent cause and proof to
justify the presidents impeachment and
conviction, without going beyond the case
of Babcock. As Grantism is doomed to
disgrace and defeat next November, it is a
question Of expediency only, whether the
remedy provided by the constitution for
high crimes and nIisdemeanors should be
applied to him Judge Durell sought to
escape impeachment by resignation Of the
office he had abused and discredited. The
judiciary committee, headed by Ben
Butler. held that he was still amanable
to trial, but the play was not worth the
candle, as he was powerless for futhcr
mischief
The developments OF Grants conduct
in regard to Babcock's trial are astOund-
ing, and show disregard OF law and de-
cency that shocks the public mind. Mr.
Pierrepont has testified that the instruc-
tons 10 the district attorney. virtually
forbidding immunity to states evidence,
were prepared by the presidents order,
and without any conference with the pros
ecuting officers Of the government. The
effect Of that order was to embarrass the
prosecution of the whisky ring at ST.
Louis, Chicago, and Milwaukee, and that
was undoubtedly its Intention.
Bell, the detective, who formerly served
as Grants scout in the army, and who
was FIRST recommended by him fora place
in the attorney generals office, and then
in the Interior Department, swore, with
out being contradIcted in any way, that
Grant desired him to spy out the secrets
Of the district attorneys office, and to re-
port as to the probable guilt or innocence
of Babcock upon the testimony there
fled away. He distrusted Col. Dyer, and
sought this clandestine method Of look
ing into his hand.
Col. Dyer swore before the committee
Of war expenditures, that Fox. one of the
grand Jury that indicted Babcock, kept
the president informed Of the proceedings
in regard 10 Babcock's Indictment, the
nature Of the testimony against him, and
the iucIlnations Of the jury. These secret
communications were received by Grant,
with "a full knowledge that Fox had VIC.
lated his OatL, aud that he himself was u
party to an outrage upon the law which
he had sworn to see faithfully executed.
These three acts would be sufficient to
iulpeach Grant. He interlered with the
course Of justice, through Pierrepont, to
exclude testimony against Babcock; he
employed spy at the public expense to
search the district attorneys othce; and
he conuived with u member of the grand
jury 20 expose the secrets OF the inquest.
Ii it had been possible TO arraign Andrew
johnson on any part OF these charges, or
on fragrant corruption such as Grant has
openly countenanced, if he has not shared
in its plumber, no human power could have
prevented his conviction. As it was, he
was barely saved upon a partisan indict-
q ha yE GU i.lI nm
senators.
No former president ever ventured to
defy public opinion, violate law, trample
on propriety, and protect rascality, as
Grant has done during the last seven
years, with the consent and cooperation of
the party which he has ruled with absolute
power. The Shepherds, Spencers, Saw
yers, Caseys, Vests McDonalds, Joyces,
Babcocks, Kilbourns, Luckeys, and that
plundering crew of adventures and rogues,
were and still are among his intimate
friends and most trusted couhdants. Their
counsels, heated with whiskey and job
berry, were preferred to the advice of the
best and wisest senators and representa-
tiyes. They have practically shaped the
policy of the party and Influenced it's meas
ures in congress.
In a few months more Grant will be
shorn of his power, and he must then drop
dishonored among the companions best
suited to his gross tastes and low habits.
There is no future for him after he is eject
ed from the presidency, but return to his
old associations iu st. Louis, from which
he was extricated by the war. As pub
lie man his career will soon be ended, and
he will go into exile with his laurels as a
soldier irreparably furnished. and his
character as a man hopelessly degraded to
the level of Boss Shepherd aud his crouies.
N Y T,to