The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1880-06-22
ron pEMocRAIs 40 READ.
Judge Jeremiah Blacks vindIeation of
Garfield.

IudEe Jeremiah Blnckt NlnuicAuOu VI
A Letter written in February, 1873.
From the beginning oil the investigation
concerning Mr.. Ames' use Of the Credit
Mobilier, believe that General Garfield
was free from all guilty connection with
that business. This opinion was founded
not merely on my confidence in his integ-
rity, but on some special knowledge Of his
case. / may have told you all about 1t in
conversation, but desire now to repeat 1t
by way Of reminder.
assert unhesitatingly that, whatever
General Garfield may have done or fore
borne to do, he acted in profound ignor-
apce Of the nature and character Of the
thing which Mr.. Ames was proposing 70
sell. He had not the slightest suspicion
that he was TO be taken into a ring organ
lied for the purpose OF deiraudlng tne
public, nor did he know that the sIock
was in any manner connected win ahy
thing which came, or coald come, WITHIN
the Legislative jurisdiction OF Congress.
The case against him lacks the sclehtef
which alone constitutes guilt
In the winter OF lS69'10 told Generai
Garfield OF the fact that his name was on
Ames' list; that Ames charged him with
being one OF his distributes; explained
to him the character, origin and objects
Of the Credit Mobilier; pointed out the
connection 1t had with Congressional leg
isIstion, and showed him how impossible
Il was for a member Of Congress to hold
stock in 1t without bringing his private
interests in conflict with his public duty.
That ali this was to him perfectly new
revelation am as sure as can be OF such
a fact, or OF any fact which is capable oil
being proved only by moral circumstances.
He told me the whole story OF Train q
offer TO him and Ames' subsequent so!icl'
tation and his own action in the premises.
much as he details 1t TO the committee.
do not undertake to reproduce the CONVEX
sation, but the effect Of 1t all was to con
vince me thoroughly that when he listen
ed TO Ames he was perfectly unconscious
lof ANYTHING evil. / watched carefully
every word that fell from him on THU
point, and did not regard his narrative o
the transaction in other respects VIII
much interest, because in my view every
thing else was insignificant did mo-
care whether he had made bargain tech
nically binding or not; his integrity de
pended upon the question whether hi
acted with his eyes open. 1.-The nad Knowl
the true character OF the proposition maa y
to him he would not have endufeu II
much less embraced it.
Now, couple this with Ames' admission
/ that he gave no explanation whatever o
the matter to Gen. Garfield, then relec
that not particle Of proof exists to show
that he learned anything about 1t preyloul
To his conversation with me, and thlni
you will say that it is altogether unjust &c
put him on the list OF those who knowing
" and willfully joined the fraudulent as
ISOLATION in question.
OTHER TESTIMONY TO THE SAME EFFECT.
The Committee of Congress, however
after full inquiry, did not condemn hin
as it condemned others, and the publi
, has siuce-and in the public we include
men OF the highest character, who live IL
close relations with Gen. Garfield-fully
, condoned his offense, II ofense 1t was
The reason OF this conformation IS un
: doubtedly to be found in the fact that
3 man, in being Judged for any single act Q
' which two explanations are possible, Il
sure to get the benefit OF the general teno
. OF his life, and OF what is known oil HI
temperament and character. Gen. Gar
, field is not a speculator, or jobber,. or
, man bent on enriching himself, or with
taste for pecuniary ventures.-N, K.Ndt'on
Gen. Garfield is now on trial before thu
| great jury Of the people. Cakes Ames il
| the witness. Gen. Garfield swears that hi
is innocent and submits his statement
and Ames, after reflection and reconsider
ton, is compelled to admit that he is no
sure, that be doubts, that he may DO mis-
taken, that Garfield may be correct aite
all. The people will not hesitate to recog
nize and allow the integrity, the pure lie
and the splendid devotion 10 country ant
liberty OF Gen. Garfield their just weight
and TO aquit him OF all intentional wrong
in the matter OF the Credit Mobiier.-
North adams Transcript
Ihaye known Gen. Garfield ever since
1858. have known him intimately.
have more OF his letters than any one else
has, II l except bis vile, and l am not sure
that need accept her. II Gen. Garfield
is not man OF integrity, l have no reason
to suppose that any such man exists
President Hinsdale, Of HirGm College.