The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-09-30
~.ward : except the thanks

without fee or any reward exceps 'ne 'na"ks
% .s s,,sS s we're bIs true convictions. But
when I Is came 70 deal with the same subject
IN hIs noIitical capacity he surrendered
everything 10 his party. He voteu Tor .
military desuotism and regular system OF
tidn.npjny and murder In oil the states OF
tho goutb. In the same act were other pro-
visions which ne certainly understood 10 De
IN direct conflict with every article anu
every section OF the Constitution. In all
this he did not transgress, Ike others, ID
Ignorance or In passion; ne slnned
against light and knowledge ana on
a cold calculation OF partisan policy.
Il il nm infinite pity that sucn man
should be not only false TO his country
lint false 10 himself. What makes all TINS
verv much worse Is bis denunciation OF
General Hancock for saying that the mill
tary was constitutionalIy subordinate 10 the
civil power, and that liberty was sun Tue
inheritance OF the American people; Tor
these were propositions when ne nInsel
had asserted and knew to be true. IL migpt
be expected that the course OF man SO ih'
fuenced would frequently defect from me
straight path. and one great aoerr'uoh We
cannot but remember. 100 -
"Mr. Tilden was elected In 1915. a iaise
return was the only resource against Dim.
| do not believe that General Garncio, IL 'et
alone, would commit an election fraud any
more than he would steal morse OF u
sheep. But when the managers OF us party
demanded his aid in great swindle ne
could not refuse. Under that coercion he
vent down TO Louisiana aud there found
II absolutely certain that the Tiden electors
had been 'duly appointed at legal
and full poll, so peaceaby conduct
ed that there was not even squad
bic about it In the whole state.
And the apponiment so made was atested
by and recorded upon the certificates
and the oaths OF election officers adverse
TO the appoinsees in all their feelings ana
wishes. There was no earthly excuse Tor
denying this; no contradiction OF u couio
he honest. TO count the State Tor Hayes
was a thing that could be done only Dy im'
pndent and unmitigated fraud. For time
honed that General Garfield's share In that
great crime had consisted in passive acqul-
escence. and am surprised by the proofs
recently brought forward OF his active as
sistance in IFS preparation. Bis Judgment
az a member OF the Electoral Commission
was thing to be expected, for be must long
before that have convinced himself that
fraud was as good way as any other OF
electing a President. 10 political game
he did not thiak that anybody had moral
sense enough to abstain from throwing die
which he himself had loaded TO win the
stake.
."Tbis liability to be rushed into evil
courses by his party associates hos Drougnt
upon him much odium which he does mol
deserve in the transactions OF the Credit'
MobiIier. The stock distributed by OaKes
| Ames was intended TO Influence the leglsll-
ton OF Congress corruptly. He ana the
company who put it into his hands meant
business, and that business was bribery.
ITndoubtedly those members who took it
knowing the nature OF the thrg were gteat
criminals and wholly unworthy to retain
their seats. But General Garfield, though
no certainly agreed 10 take the stock, and
did actually take dividends upon H.
had no suspicion OF its connection
with the Union-Pacifc railroad or oil
the conflict which its possession might ere
ate between his private interests and bis
public duty. He was as guiltless as the
child unborn of any dishonest meaning
about the whole business. | believe TINS
not merely because he told me so, but be-
cause it is probable in itself and corroDo-
rated by many circumstances. III he bad
stuck to It, he would have been credited by
all men as implicitly as he was by me. Fear
ing that his political friends might Influence
him TO depart from it. wrote beseechng
him TO stand fast upon the defence he had
made to me. That he did not take this
advice is the 9itterest regret OF his
life. But 'the party would not let
him take if. The accusation struck at
the highest heads in the House and
the Senate. They had but one answer, and
that was a positive denial OF the fact that
any stock had ever been taken by them
and on that line they expected Mr.. Ames to
swear them through. General Garfield, for
the benefit OF others and TO his own great
injury. united in making this false defence.
Their witness failed them and they were all
convicted. After the report OF the commit
tee | wrote 10 Dir. Blaine the letter which
has been extensively published, and which
was an effort to put General Garfield back
upon the true ground, which he never
ought to have abandoned. But 1t was too
late.
al regret sincerely that General Garfield
IL candidate, or that he should be placed
in any position which calls for criticism on
his conduct as a public man. But l nave
said nothing that will be new to bin; for
in many forms, at many times, in sundry
ways, publicly and privately, have given
this same construction OF his acts and eX-
horted him to come out from the evil and
corrupt fellowship which drags him down
while it pre;ends to elevate him. hope
that on all the issues the friends OF liberty,
and Justice, and law, and honest govern
ment will make themselves heard by the ma
ton so clearly that at the next election the
popular condemnation OF the anti constltu-
tional faction will be overwhelming. In the
mean time let Us watch as well as pray that
the country be not swinded again. Faith
fully and hopefully yours. j. S. BLACK. n
"1he Hon. augustus ScheH, Chairman,
and members Of committee
Funeral Of the Snowman Killed by Inc
Elephant.