Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1884-1886, 1884-10-11
JUDGE roURoEE's POLITICS.
The Well Known Writer and Jurist
Supports Blaine and Logan.

Judge Tourgee having been assailcd by
the New York Evening Post for what it
called his inconsistency in opposing Mr..
Blaine's nomination and advocating his cleo
ton, has published long letter in the
Tribune. in which he explains and justifies
his position. He closes by saying:
Again, could not support Mr.. Cleveland
because of the company he keeps. do not
refer now to his hours of relaxation, but to
the public side of his character. He has as
sociated with him upon the tick
ct one who was the counsellor, friend
and champion of the Indiana Copper
heads during the war. Now while
/ hold man TO be wanting in
common manhood who will not forgive
an open and honorable enemy and account
closest friendship and the highest honor,
forgets or forgives the man OF mature years
who had not courage enough to 90 with
the rebels nor manhood enough to stand by
the country, but who stabbed in the back
those who fought for the liberty he now en-
joys. Others may vote to put such a man
where he may exercise the highest powers
of the nation, but never shall. Mr.. Cleve-
land himself seems TO have been blissfully
ignorant that war was in progress. He
not only did nothing, but he said nothing.
] once stood by while gentleman who
had very fat dog drove some trespass-
ing cows out of his grounds. After
expelling the intruders, he turned
upon the dog, who had simply
sat upon the doorstep and watched the pro-
| ceedings in silence. "Take that, and that,
and that" said the enraged owner, as he
| chucked one stone aster another against the
well-cushioned ribs of the delinquent. 81
didn't expect you to run, but you might at
least have barked"' Mr.. Cleveland did not
even bark, and Mr.. Hendricks growled for
the other side. Mr.. Blaine mid not enter the
service. / am sorry for it, and do not doubt
that he is also. But if he did not actually do
any fighting for the country, he stood by
the crowd that did fight. He showed his
good will, and never permitted any doubt
as TO which side he was on.
AT the time i wrote the article refer
red to by the Post was of the general
opinion that the celebrated "Mulligan
letters" established at least probable
case of improper conduct in his public ca
pacity. Having since that time carefully
studied the entire correspondence and read
al that both sides have. had TO say in regard
to il. | wish now to say that, regarded from
| any point of view, i see no evidence of an
| abuse of public trust. 1t was an unfortun-
ate thing that he allowed himself to become
the agent of such a company, and the victim
| of such n set of blackmailers as Fisher
and Mulhgan. 1t is a pity that he had to
ask favors of Caldwell. Yet / do not see
how any one could be harmed except those
TO whom the bonds We're sold, and their loss
| he made good. In fact, it seems to me that
the worst thing about the whole matter
is the fact that the road did not pay. II
il had been paying concern, it is probable
BILE that nothing would have ever been heard
of it, for, if known at all, it would have
been counted vastly to his credit. Mr..
Blaine had right to speculate with his own
money, or induce others to speculate with
theirs, just the same as any other American
citizen. 1t is not assumed that he used his
position to sell the bonds or in any other
manner in connection with the transaction.
] am under obligations to the Democratic
press for publishing the last batch of these
letters. To my mind they explain the
transaction, and show Mr.. Blaine TO be far
more entitled to sympaty than blame for the
part he took in it.