Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-01-17
ST. JOHNS CASE.

The evidence is now conclusive that
James F. Legate undertook to bargain
with the Republican national committee
for the withdrawal OF St. John as q presi-
Dental candidate, and demanded money
to be paid to ST. John for such withdrawal.
His letter to that effect has been published
in fac-simile, and there can be no dispute
about its genuineness.
Legate at first denied the letter; then
declared that it had been garbled; but,
since its publication in engraving. he de-
clares that St. John was innocent OF his
negotiations, and thus implies that he had
no authority to speak for him.
But the evidence just published is con-
trary to this declaration. ST. John Of
course could not transact this business d.
rectly and in person. 1t had to be done
through friend. Legate was his friend,
and has long been on terms of the closest
intimacy with him. He represented tn
Clarkson that he was authorized to speak
for him, and that St. John was anxious
to make terms. Besides, Mr. R. C.
Kerens, the man to whom Legate wrote
the astonishing letter that has been en-
graved, testifes that be saw the letters
and dispatches from St. John to Legate to
which General Clarkson refers"
As the proofs now stand, there can, we
think, be no reasonable doubt that Legste
represented ST. John and spoke for him
by authority. Legate denies it now; but
SO also he denied the authenticity of his
letter till it was put out in his own hand
writing. His testimony is thus discred-
tied and discredited by the facts. St.
John denies it; but he stands accused Of q
transaction that must render him infamous
if confessed or proved. His denial, in a
case like this. will not count for anything.
He must disprove these dsmning facts and
circumstances now by other facts and cir
cumstances than his own words.
1t can hardly fail to be the conviction Of
all candid minds capable Of veighing evi-
dence that St. John is proved to have
offered, through Legate, to withdraw or
work in the interest of the Republican
party for the sum of 5000, and that,
failing to effect the negotiations, he re-
mained on the track and worked in the
interest Of the Democratic party. Whether
he received any money from the latter
does not yet appear. except from infer
ence The inference would be that, mas
much as his affiliations and sympathies
had been with the Republicans, and as he
turned against them and denounced them
after his failure to get money from them
the inference would be that he was not
too good to ask and receive money of the
Democratic party for the help he fur
nished it in the state of New York.
We think that the majority of the peo-
pie in this country, after these damaging
proofs against him in regard to offers OF
himself for sale, will infer that his sale
was finally effected. They will require a
great deal of opposing evidence to believe
anything else.
The saddening feature of this St.Jobn
case is the number Of good people who
believed in him and were deceived in him
the number OF good Republicans who
voted this government into the hands of
the Southern Confederacy by throwing.
away their ballots on so unworthy a man.
1t was a terrible mistake both for the
country and for the cause TO which they
were devoted. Such a mistake, followed
by such national consequences and by such
q national scandal, can be repaired only BY
the resolut ton never to do the Like again.