The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1880-07-02
A DEMoCRATIC yINDICATIoN.

Judge j. s. Black, of PENNSYLVANIA, is
now, and has been for many years, one of
the most distinguished Democrats in the
country. He is lawer of national repu-
tation, aud has frequently been mentioned
as u presidential candidate. \ Democrat
of the strictest sect, it is not likely that
| he would attempt TO whitewash any
prominent Republican. In 1878 he
wrote the following letter to Senator
Blaine, then speaker of the house of re
representatives., concerning the charges the
Democrats are now bringing against
Gen. Garfield:
PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 10, 1873.
My DEAR SIR-From the beginning of
the investigation concerning Mr.. kmes'
use of the Credit Mobilier, believed that
Gen. Garfield was free from all guilty
connection with that business. This
opinion was founded not merely on my
confidence in his integrity, but on some
special knowledge of his case. | may
have told you all about it in CONVERSE
| ton, but | desire now to re-
peat it by way of reminder.
/ assert unhesitatingly that, whatever
! General Garfield may have done or for
borne to do, he acted in profound ignor-
ance Of the nature and character of the
thing which Mr. Ames was proposing to
sell. He had not the slightest suspicion
ganized for the purpose of defrauding
the public, nor did he know that the
stock was in any manner connected with
anything which came, or could could
come, within the Jurisdiction of con-
gress. The case against him lacks the
scisRter which alone constitutes guilt
In the winter of 1S69--76 l told Gen.
Garfield of the fact that his name was
on Ames list; that Ames charged him
len T.fsI ,a a sztr
explained to HIM the character, origin
and objects of the credit Mobilier; point
ed out the connection 1t had with con-
greSsional legislation, and showed him
how impossible it was for a member of
congress to hold stock in it without
bringing his private interests in conflict
with his public duty. That all this was
to INN perfectly new revelation am as
sure as | can be of such fact, or of any
fact which is capable of being proved
only by moral circumstances. He told
me then the whole story of Trains
offer TO him and Amos
subsequent solicitation, aud his
own action in the premises, much as he
/ details it to the committee. | do not I'M
dertake TO reproduce the conversation,
but the effect of il all was 10 conVice me
thoroughly that when he listened to
Ames he was perfectly unconscious of
anything evil. / watched carefully
every word that fell from him on this
point, and did not regard his narrative
of the transaction in other respects with
much interest, because in my view every
thing else was insignificant. Ibid not care
whether he had made a bargain tech
nically binding or not; his integrity dc
pended Hpon the question whether he
d acted with his eyes open. If he had
known the true character of the propo-
sItion made TO him he would not have
endured it, much less embraced it.
Now, couple this with Mr.. Amos adj
mission that he gave no explanation
whatever of the matter to Con. Garfield,
then reflect that not particle of proof
exists 10 show that he. learned anything
about it previous to his conversation
with me, and think you will say 1t is
altogether unjust TO put him ON the list
of those who knowingly and willfully
Joined the fraudulent association in
question. J. S. BLACK
Hon. ]. G. Blaine, speaker of the house
: of representatives.