The sun., 1882-08-20
Last Words to the Cincinnati Commer-
cial.


dent. Like all converts, the Commercial be-
came hotter In zeal than the first faithful.
To silence suspicion, 1t transcribed the linn
its of discretion, and provoked controversy,
that has proved damaging to the " god of its
idolatry" and to his indiscreet champion.
GurrEAU did for GARFIELD what oil the
foolish friends Of the latter with BLAINE as
their chief could not have achieved in
thousand years. Assassination excited in
dignation and sympathy equally, and caused
men to forget and to forgive much that
mcrited the strongest condemnation.
II the Commercial and others holding SIM
liar opinions had been content to accept the
generous sentiments which were offered like
flowers to decorate the grave of GARFIELD,
it would have been well for his fame, and
better for those who have forced a review OF
his career. They have attempted to hold
| him up as a great moral light and as
political example worthy of the best imi-
tation. They have registered him in the
calendar of saints and they have demanded
veneration for his holy character. They
propose to erect GARFIELD churches, to
honor the memory OF a man who, during his
long illness, never saw a Christian minister,
and never had uttered the consolation Of q
prayer to the throne of mercy.
We have protested and shall continue to
protest against this imposture and this falsi
iication OF history; and in doing SO it has
been necessary to show what those who knew
GARFIELD best know to be strictly true to
the last letter. or all the public men who
have attained any prominence in the last
twenty years. he was, perhaps, the most cor
rupt the most protligate, and the most false
in character. Under an exterior of frank
ness, he was basely treacherous; while pro-
Tossing pious platitudes, he was grossly i'm
moral and pretending ignorance Of business,
he was professional jobber in legislation.
The Rings owned him as chattel During
his four years as Chairman Of the Appropri-
ations Committee the worst excesses OF
Grantism were perpetrated; and he is di-
rectly responsible for the back-pay grab and
for all the enormities OF that time, including
more than three millions voted in six weeks
to the Washington Ring, after he had re-
ceived the bribe Of 5000 for the DE GoLYER
pavement.
The Credit Mobilier business was a mere
item In q long account OF venality, which II
published entire would astound all that part
OF the world who only came to know him
through GurTEAU's crime.
He slept in the tent of RoSECRANs; he ate
at his camp table. and as the trusted chief
OF staff he had his closest confidence. In the
midst OF these relations he deceived him.
and sought to gain his command by the
foulest of infamies. When RosECRASs called
his attention to the charges of treachery in
the newspapers, he answered: 81 fearlessly
challenge all the rascas in the world to pub
| oh latt cx,-rit 70 hx-r I(nt tha
letters have been published. aud they tell
their own story.
He was the chosen confidant of JOHN SHER-
MAN at Chicago, and, with Gov. FOSTER rep
resented the interests OF that aspirant to the
Presidency. 1t Is now notorious that before
leaving Washington he bargained with
BLAINE to betray SHERMAN, and this was the
secret Of BLAINE's mastery after GARFIELD
was elected President. The pretence that the
nomination was q surprise has not even the
merit OF weak invention. Shortly before
the meeting of the Convention, GARFIELD
stood in front OF the Clerks desk OF the House
of Representatives when a Democrat came
up GARFIELD, in his familiar way, put his
arm around his neck and said, calling him by
name would it not be curious If you and |,
who have opposed each other here, should be
opposing candidates for the Presidency"
In closing this discussion with the CONNER
cial it is proper to repeat, in more detailed
and distinct form, what has heretofore been
substantially said in regard to GARFIELD's
visit to New York in August, 1880. At that
time the outlook of the Republican party
was indeed desperate Defeat was in the
air, and unless sudden reaction should oc-
cur it was inevitable. In this dilemma GAR
FIELD proposed the conference at the Fifth
Avenue Hotel. 1t was attended by many
conspicuous Republicans, and by the Ma
tional and Congressional committees. Mr.
CoNKLING declined an invitation because it
: was understood plan was to be submitted
for u division Of the spoils as a mode Of ex-
citing activity in the campaign.
, One of the methods proposed by GARFIELD
, himself, as an expedient for carrying New
, York, was to enlist Mr.. l.. P. MORTON, as the
) head OF a finance committee, he to set the
example by an expected liberal subscription
committee waited on Mr.. MORTON, and he
r declined the honor, alleging business engage
ments as the reason Subsequently GAR
= FIELD and MORTON were brought together
; ut another conference. To induce MORTON
3 to undertake the task OF raising money fol
, | the campaign, GARFIELD offered him thcl
P and there, in the event Of being elected, the
Q Secretaryshp Of the Treasury. the manage
: ment of the loan for refunding the debt, anC
5 the mission to France, with the alternative
r of that to England. He also promised thai
D the advice and wishes Of the New York Sena
Q tors, and of the State Committee, should gov
r ern him in the matter OF appointments
g memorandum of these terms was mad,
t at the time, and subsequently separat,
}. papers were prepared by parties who were
r present. The Commercial has vaguely dis
n puted these facts upon "bellef." but evi
: IDENTIFY without information. Now, Mr.
y BLAINE is the political resduary legatee o
: Gen. GARFIELD. He Is very much con
C cerned about the fame Of the late President
" whom he persuaded to make the rupture II
n New York by fragrant violation OF GAR
= FIELDS voluntary and repeated pledges
e II Mr.. BLAINE will assume authoritativel,