The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1876-03-15
Who Did It.

Who Did It.
To discover the influences that operated
on Mr.. Marsh for rushing to Canada after
giving his testimony, 1t is only necessary
to ask who had the most interest in
getting him away, That practical and
simple test forms part Of the wisdom Of
the civil law, and addresses itself to the
reason Of every day life. It is in evidence
that he fully considered and discussed with
the Belknaps the policy of flight to Europe
before he appeared as a witness, He took
the advice of counsel on that subject, with
reference to summons by telegraph. 7
Finally, that project was given up, and
he concluded to appear before the COM
mittee, and fully unburdened his mind
when he found that all the material facts
were already well known. He was cross
examined and discharged in presence OF
the whole committee, without any objection
Of any kind from any member. or sug-
gestion that he should be detained. The
usual course was pursued. The committee
could have no possible motive for his
fight and not the slightest reason to antici-
pate or suspect it.
On the other hand the administration,
the Republican leaders, and the Belknaps,
had the strongest motives for getting him
beyond the reach of a regular subpoena,
and out Of the jurisdiction of the United
States. The exposure had created a pro-
found sensation, and threatened to shivel
the party into atoms. Mr.. Marsh was the
pivot upon which the impeachment and q
criminal prosecution turned A long tria
by the senate would keep the public mind
riveted ON the scandal, and thus contribute
to the downfall Of Grantism. Hence it
was the interest of the administration and
Of the Republican leaders to drive Marsh
away; and after the recent experience il
the Babcock trial, it was easy to find ,
means of achieving that end by intimida
ton. After the cabinet meeting which
followed the explosion. the announcement
was made that Marsh would be prosecuted
and the fact was published before h
started Ior Canada- q TTCEE 8LI
The Belknaps were equally interests
in the absence of Marsh Without ties
timony the proceedings againt the lat
secretary would break down. They coul
not escape from the moral consequence
of his evidence before the committee, bu
they might escape from the legal penaltie
if he faild to answer q summons. The
were ruined in character. WoulG he ali
in sending them to the penitentary?
was easy then to whisper in Marshs cal
after he had testified, that it was moi
dangerous to be witness than to be
criminal in public life, and that If he di
not fly, the first indictment would b
against Caleb p. Marsh and not w, "
Belknap. To second that suggestion b
threats of prosecution through the assoc
ated press, would be entirely oonsister
with the tactics which Mr.. Blaine Ia
adopted to extricate his party and himse
from the worst of dilemmas.
The truth of this matter cannot be loI
concealed, and when it shines out the
will be but one opinion as to the reas
for Marsh's flight. The president, the I
torney-general, and everybody at Was
ington knew of bis departure within
hour or two by the telegraph, and
could have been easily stopped long
fore reaching the frontier, had there be
any such desire. And since the discussi
began,he could have been brought bs
and used again as witness by sim
protection from the president. But MAJ
is the last man that Grant, Blaine, 9
the Republican leaders want to see
Washington.