Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1876-03-04
The National Disgrace.

Committee, Messrs. Knott. Hunton and f1oar,
with j. Proctor Knott as chairman, sat all day
yesterday Oh the Belknap impeachment case,
aud last night closed its labols. having drawn
up the necessary articles which will be present
ed for the action of the House on Monday. 1t
is understood that there are five couots drawn
up 10 a manner similar to an ordinary indlct-
mcnt for bribery.
Should the Senate decide that it has the au-
thoriy 10 20 on with the impeachment OF an
officer who has resigned, the forms which pre-
vailed in the johnson impeachment trial will
be adopted The Chief Justice of the United
States Supreme Court will preside, and the
Associate Justices of the Court will at
tend 10 their robes. The House OF hep
resentatves, Oh behalf of the people,
will also appear each day until the trial
is over. The members, however, will have
no voice in the proceedings, except through
seven managers, who will be elected by ma
icrity vote 10 the Fl use 90 Monday, and the
Democrats being 10 the majority bave the right
to choose all, but it is understood to be their 10
teptiou to have two Republicans as managers,
the report of the committee recommending
impeachment having beeu au unanimous one.
1t is understood that Messrs. Blackburn aud
Knott, of Ky Tucker of Va; and Robbins,
of North Carolina, will be among the managers.
I, is thong BIT that the trial will not last over
TWO days at the tarthest, as it is not presumed
Secretary Beikpap will lnterpose any jusiitlca
ton, and, indeed, tits thought he may plead
guilty. 1t is hardly to be presumed that the
accused will appear 10 person, but will be rep
resented by bis couasel, Mr.. Montgomery
Blair
The conviction of ex Secretary Bclknap by
the High Court Of Impeach ment would involve
only the sentence of removal from Office, future
disqualification from again holding Office, anC
the deprivation of the rights of an American
citizen, which would, OF course, include dis
reimbursement Even after he had suffered thi:
humiliation, he is subject to Indictment in the
courts Of justice 1t is the intention of one o.
the leading members of the House judiciary
Committee, if District Attorney Wells, Of til,
District OF Columbia, does not take steps look
ing to his indictment under existing statutes
to move resolution IN the House directing
! the Committee on the Judiciary to confer with
that ufhccr, to the end that an Indictment may
follow. Indeed, it is limited that on Monday s
resolution will be presented directing the Dis
| trict Attorney to discharge bis duty in The
premises
| The managers Oh the part Of the Senate t
take charge Of the impeachment articles wher
presented, were appointed yesterday. Mr.. Ed
nuuds, of Vermont was designated chairman
and had associated with him Senators Couk
| iug, Boutwell,, Thurman and Stevenson.
The Washington correspondent of the Balti
more American says: Ii is known that Gen
BcIknap came here mparativcly poor man.
; His style of living tor the first We ar seemed tt
| be in keeping within an Income which his pc
sitiou gave him His wife, however, became
aurcd wit the Establishments Of Washington
society She possessed beauties of face aDc
form, and Intelligence aud repartee, which TT
ted her to shioe in auy social gathering. The
very position of her husband threw her in con.
tact with wealth. refinement and those repre-.
sentiug nigh staiion. Inspired by that female
! jealousy peculiar 10 the sex she asnred to at
! least those adorumeuts Of the body which hel
eyes Toasted upon on others. 1t was not with
| 10 honest means to secure the fastldious ward
robe her heart coveted, and she ielf a victim to
pride, avarice and jealousy. Fortunate fol
her that the grave covered her ere the day OF
reckoulUg came.
Her sister the present Mrs. BeIknap, sue.
blue boods of the blue grass region, is it any
wonder that she also desired to drink deep Of
the social spring SO temptingy held out to Der.
saction which her sister had entered into with
Marsh. She not only succeeded to lis benefits,
but also to the station which the dead had left
vacant
From her very advent into Washington 80.
cety she sought to lead Round after round
of pleasure ouly created the appetite fol more.
No distinguished gathering was complete WILL
on. the handsome War Secretary aod his
beau i!ul wife. She belonged to the royal set
and right royalty did she brdeck it, Her
dress we're models of Partisan taste and art.
H~r Jewels were Of the purest gems, and her
eutert aluments fitted, indeed, for the presence
of royalty.
Even within the pale of the baoeful iufu-
euce of Washington society such sumptuous
ness led to the reflection: How can this pro-
digaIity be supported Surely not ou the
salary OF her husband; and before the dowofall
OF this formerly happy couple the gosslps had
wondered more than once where they found
AlIadIu's lamp. Not only did this oujecur
apply to Secretary Belkuap, but with equal
force to another Secretary in the Cabinet and
OF whom the quid nuncs say the day OF judg
mcut is comiug
This remarkable downfall can be summed up
10 very brief chapter Lack Of the means
to satisfy an inordinate desire for display, aud
the weakness of female character 10 sacrificing
honor to secure the same. Then add to this the
hollow sycophantic mockery ola Heterogeneous
class Known here as society, and We have the
cause which has ended 10 ruin. Hic jacet.
The st. Louis Republican learus from gen.
tlcmep just from For, Sill that the develop
meuts will create no surprise out there, because
everybody at the post has for a long time been
coz uiz mi Of the fact that the traders have been
required to send heavy moDthly contributions