The Leavenworth weekly times. [volume] (Leavenworth, Kan.) 1870-1880, 1876-05-25

boldly advocated on the stump, the .re-elec-
tion Of Abraham Lincoln, and defended
eloquentiy the Republican party in its
struggles for the rights and freedom OF all
the people and Tor the preservation OF the
Union. To be an avowed anti-slavery
Union man at that time in Kentucky or
the South required more than Spartan vir-
the, yet Benjamin II. Bristow never hesi-
tated or faltered.
AFTER THE WAR.
In 1865 after the clo-e OF the war
Colonel Bris,ow resigned his seat in the
Senate of Kentucky, and with devotion
to his profession Of the Law, 10 which he
has ever subordina,ed all political ambi-
ton, he removed TO Louisville, the metropo-
lis Of the state, where a wider field Of
usefulness opened before him. He secured
at ouce lucrative practice. and took posi-
ton in the front Of one of the ablest bars
in the country. II 1856 he was appointed
Assistant District Attorney, a recognition
OF the gallant services of Colonel bristow
during the war, and his marked ability "a
q LAWYER
In 1867 he was appointed District At
torney for Kentucky At this time those
kentuckians who had been in the Confed-
crate army had generally returned. There
was also a more vindiciive class-enemies
OF the Union, who had remained at home,
or who had safely watched the progress of
the conflict from beyond the Canadian
border. Many Of these were organized as
kuklux bands, and were fercely bent on
the intimidation CT the destruction of
Union men-and especially Of the colOred
race. The spirit oil slavery in its dying
struggles was intensely fierce, and the doc
trine Of State rights, reasserted itself with
great vigor after the close Of the war /; the
political condition OF the State was worse
than ii she had gone into the Rebellion,
and far better had she been if she had
done so and have come back with her way
ward sisters well whipped, amt chastened
by the scourge of the war. Under these
circumstances, when the conflict between
| Stale and Federal authority was imminent,
and when tie rights and interests of all the
citizens of the Commonwealth had TO be
protected, District Attorney Bristow found
himself in delicate and responsible posi-
ton, yet under al circumstances, while
Just and msgnanimous to all, he fearlessly
and faithfully discharged the duties of his
Office, asserting and indicating the rights
OF the colored people under the civil rights
bill. His vigilence and ability in the prose
cution of lawless bands who perpetrated
outrages, wa a grand revelation Of personal
and official character. He vas The first
United States civil officer who officially an
nouDced and put in force the edict that
slavery was indeed dead. His love OF free
dom and regard f,r The rights of the freed
| man are prominent in all his career. The
colored race have NO truer friend seeking
their prosperity and intellectual progress
than Secretary Bristow. The pluck and
earnestness Of this patriotic Southerner was
never more pronounced than when he, in
1871, had the moral courage to favor edu-
cation for the colored people, q portion Of
the expense thereof being paid for by the
whites, which he did in b speech in July Of
that year, when he took the bold and man
ly ground in favor Of an equal distribution
OF the common school fund OF the State,
among whites and blacks alike, in
proportion 10 numbers, regard esd Of
race or previous condition of servilude.
BEGINNING OF THE WHISKY VAR
In 1867, Kentucky, of all the States, was
the largest producer of whisky and tobacco,
and paid on these articles the heaviest tax
| to the General Government. The collection
of this tax, under the new and complicated
and constantly changing revenue laws, rem
| dered his duties more onerous and difficult,
but ct the same time gave him thorough
knowledge Of the revenue system Of the
United States. This knowledge enabled
him subsequently, 10 grapple so successfully
| with the siupendous frauds and rings he
found existing in the country when he en-
| tered upon his duties As Secretary Of the
Treasury.
in 1870 he resigned the office of District
Attorn-y and formed law partnership
with General John NJ. Harlan. He was
not allowed to remain long in this retire
men:.
APPOINTED SOLICITOR GENERAL.
In 1871 the Office of Solicitor General OF
the United States was Cheated, for the fret
time in the history OF the Government
and he was called by President Grant to fill
it. This he did with great ability for two
Y, ars, giving his attention wholly to cases
in the Supreme Court and in the prepare
ton of such questions as were submitted
by the Attorney General, winning the es.
TEEN and admiration OF The judges Of that
court and the legal profession with whom
he was brought in contact. After two years
of Washington life, he resigned the office
and retired to private life and the practice
of his profession in Louisville.
In 1873, President Grant, recognizing his
ability, again sent Tor Colonel Bristow,
when he nominated Attorney General Viii
liams as Chief Justice Of the United States,
and rendered him the Office Of Attor-
ney General, but Williams failing to be
confirmed, the appointment did not take
effect.
In 1874, upon the resignation of Mr.
Richardson as Secretary Of the Treasury,
the President in selecting man who should
reorganize and control this most important
pos, in TIE Government, selected Colonel
Bristow IS the man for the times and tit for
the emergency, and called him to his cab
met.
Secretary Bristow, from the day he en-
tered the vast and important duties of this
Office TO the present time, has attended
strictly 10 his duties he has remained con-
stantly at his post; has recognized the
whole service and reformed il wherever il
has seemed desirable
lie has not, like some negative, honest
officials, closed his eyes TO certain quarters
or influential politicians; but has given
orders in his department to do impartial
Justice to all. He has been an affirmative,
honest man. He has sought out and used
every means in his power TO unesrth fraud
and corruption, and no matter where the
trail led he has followed il unhesitatingly
and relentlessly to its haUnts. He ha-
fought no sham battles; but like good
General, he discovers the enemyis position
ana then masses his forces and advances in
terrible earnest. At first when he endeav-
ored to prosecute frauds, he found that his
agents were bought Oft the enemy was in
formed of his intentions, and all the able
local lawyers engaged by the ring. But
with that indefa,igable perseverance which
is his distinguishing trait, he recognized
his own forces, engaged local lawyers be-
fore the rings were informed of his move
ments, massed all his trusted agents al one
point. and by determination and pluck,
against great odds, at last met the whisky
rings at ST. Louis in their own stronghold,
and gained a decisive victory, utterly
demoralizing the enemy. The greatest
tribute TO his ability and honor is
the fact that he is more feared and more
bitterly hated by all the corrupt rigs ard
swindling politicians than any other man
III hm-Iico. "uAc CcCIetdIy DIIstOW mas
devoted much time to exposing and attack
ing corruption and fraud, he has not neg
lec,ed the other and vast interests Of his de-
partment. He has been and ia reforming
il in all its various branches. The reyeaue
service is more effective and complete than
ever before. The expenses in every direc-
ton have been reduced The entire ma
chinery of the Treasury is thoroughly reor-
ganized. He ha, aleo 80 thoroughly studied |
and compreheuded the whole question of
the moneyed interests of the country that
he has expended into the full proportions |