The daily intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Territory [i.e. Wash.]) 1876-1881, 1878-01-18

Friday, Jan. 16. 1873.
A WITHERING REBUKE.

When the State or Oregon was I'M
der Republican rule. she elected to the
United States Senate lawyer who had
formerly resided in Iowa, and had
come to her domain with Federal
commission in his pocket. After bis
retirement from the bench. this man
devoted himself to the study OF his
profession and soon became one Ut the
pillars Of the State. His party being
in the sscendancy. elected him to the
United States Senate to succeed Ben
jamin F. Harding, who, if he possessed
no other qualification for the high
Office of Senator, was at least an honest
man. Time rolled on. and bis term as
a Senator had expired. A political
tidal wave swept his State and deprived
his party Of its supremacy. The Presi'
dent then appointed him to q vacant
portfolio in his Cabinet. an honor
never before nor since bestowed upon
citizen of the Pacific coast.
Then came the death Of the American
Chesterfield the pure-minded states
man. and courtly gentleman. Chief
Justice Chase. The name of the ex-
Senator from Oregon was sent to the
Senate as his successor and voted down
with q storm OF indignation. Men
whose Characters had stood the crucible
heat for half century were among his
Interest opponents. though members OF
his own party. It was proven that be
had paid for decorating his private
carriage out of funds appropriated for
contingent expenses Of his office; and
that his private house servants were on
the rolls of the 80 called department
of Justice" rs clerks and messengers.
And to its everlasting praise. headed by
such men as Frelighuysen and Sumner,
the Senate cast him aside rs man Of
smirchcd garments and ablotched record
Since then the cowed and justly
degraded man has been but little heard
Of, except as q claim or pension agent
about the departments at Warrington.
1t will be remembered that lin 1875,
Secretary Bristow was instrumental in
bringing to justice some distillers Of
st. Louis, who had been growing rich
by systematically defrauding the Gov
eminent of its revenue. These kid
gloved. church-going gentry did lot
like the stifled air of tie Missouri
penitentisry, and one Of them Mckee,
by name-hired this ex-senator and ex-
Minister to obtain his pardon from
President Grant, through his wifs's in
fluence with tho Man Of Shiloh. Tho
sequel was that Mckee was pardoned.
and showed his gratitude by "gigging"
upon the whole transaction. He re-
fused to pay cent, and ex-senator
Williams sued him in ST. Louis court
TO recover the money.
Thank God. the State which sent .
Benton for thirty years to the nations
councils, was true to her history; for
the Judge before whom this infamous
suit was tiled, still believed that there
was something in public virtue aud
magisterial honor. Ho dismissed tho
suit ON the ground that it was contrary
to sound public policy and against
that spirit Of morality which should &C.
tuate all public servants.
This shows how low men can fall ana
what they will do for money. The
man who will make his wife's influence
the subject of traffic, ~ lost to every
sense Of marital honor. If he would do
this while rich. would he hesitate TO
make her virtue the OBJECT Of . bar
gain. If he were poor If he asked an
exercise Of the pardoning power for .
maiefactor, solely on personal grounds,
he went far enough. When he took
money for his influence with tho Presi.
dent. he sold what little manhood was
left him; and whom he braved public
opinion 50 far a. to seek the enforce.
meut Of his bargain in the courts, he
proved himself man Lost to honor
aud dead to shame. Psss!