The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-10-16
rHE IEsson OF BELKxAP.s L1rx.

The death Of ex-SecrstaFy Belknap Il re-
mindful thst the history q his life con-
tains > lesson which II would prove well
mot only for the youth Of the country, but
also for young men who are ambitious Of :
public career to ponder and heed. He
came Of IN honorable and honored stock.
For CALAMITY In the war Of 1872, and in the
Florida war. and still later In the war With
Mexico. his brave and patriotic father won
enduring fame and IN imperishabls right
to the gratitude of his country.
The son inherited most Of his fathers
high qualities, and ct it outset there
seemed . bright promise that his career
would BE- equally honorable and more brill
liant William Worth Bslknsp wss : man
Of fsultless physique. He WAS . model Of
manly beauty and endowed with high
intellectually. He vas m able lawyer.
and had rAre powers Of oratory. Few men
were 70 well fitted to shine in society. OF
which he was . favored and petted idol
On the battlefield. including many Of the
most trying and desperate struggles Of the
late war. hs was renowned for heroic dar-
Ing.
He had passed his fortieth birthday; be
vas in the prime Of . vigorous manhood |;
he bad rendered honorable servics to his
stats and gallant service to his country:
his name and fame were stainless and
bright, when President Grant invited him
to take MP his abode ct the national capital
and accspt The portfolio Of the war dspaft-
msnt. It was well meant and well de-
served. but1 Was most unfortunate and
most fatsful thing fbr Bslknsp. There il
NO reason 70 doubt, but every reason to b.
hsvs. that whom be gratefully accepted
that nattsring invitation VIM. w. Bslknap
was . purs and upright - hs was brave
and brilliant
But there in the PREDICATE and Eddy
capital hs became the cynosurs Of svery
eye: The idol OF society. the pride Of the
military circls, courted and fawned upon
By politicians. and treated with distin-
guishsd respect BY Statesmen the most en-
insut. His hid besn grand career and
his was superb personality. but he was
human. and sad to say his humanity was
not proof against the blandishmenty and
the demandsof that giddy social maelstrom
which has engulfed and Is engulHng so
many bright lives and destroying 30 many
honored names and regulations.
The character which BeIknap had MAIN
tanned free from spot or blemish up to that
time justihes the claim that Il he finally
yielded to temptation the fault lay not 40
much with him - with the pernicious so
cial conditions which have become en-
trenched at the nations capital. And az
he was lured 90 is ii with hundreds and
Thousands At the present day. But It is
time that the sound and healthy public
opinion Of the country were concerning
itself about this matter. The country can.
not afford without remonstrance to see
names and careers like Belknap's, which
are part of the nations most precious
treasure, sacrificed.
Let IL be understood that the earish
society Of Washington, that which seeks
to gauge worth and social distinction by
layishness of display and expenditure, is
worthy only OF contempt and reprobation.
Let 1t b impressed upon the youth and
the aspiring young men OF the country
that those are most honored and respected
whe in official life conform most closely to
republican simplicity. live within their in
comes and rely upon their brains and char
scter rather than their money for distinc-
ton. And let 1t be impressed that these
are they who accomplish results worthy Of
remembrance.