Democratic Sentinel, Volume 3, Number 44, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 December 1879 — THE OLD GRANT GUARD. [ARTICLE]

THE OLD GRANT GUARD.

[From the New York Sun.] It is claimed for Gen. Grant as a peculiar merit that “ he does not go back on his friends.” Fidelity to friendship is a noble virtue when the objects of it are deserving. It becomes a low crime when they are venal and unworthy. As President, Giant disgraced that great office by extending the protection of the Executive over felons and thieves whose rascalities were notorious to the whole country. But for bis scandalous interference with the course of justice, Babcock and others like him would today be cracking stone in striped suits. They were saved from the penitentiary because the Chief Magistrate was base enough to prostitute his trust in their behalf. Babco ;k is holding an honorable and profitable position in the Engineer Corps at Baltimore, over the heads of honest men, when public opinion has long ago consigned him to infamy in the rogues’gallery. If he had not been the possessor of secrets of the White House which, if exposed, would have caused immense trouble, and if he had not been capable of exposing them for his own interest, Grant would have hesitated long before employing all the authority of the departments to aid in a technical defense, and before furnishing secretly to Babcock’s counsel information which rightfully belonged to the prosecution. The ring chiefs and the plunderers, who flourished during the era of Grantism, are all jushing to the front and shouting lustily for a third term. Sacor Robeson opened his confidence freely the other day, and said the movement was bound to succeed. In that event Mr. Cockling would be called to the first place in the Cabinet, and he himself would take the Navy Department again, more in vindication of his character than for any other reason. Belknap went especially to to assist at the ovation in that city. He does not believe the Nicaragua canal project has any solid basis, so that it might serve as a diversion to prevent Grant from being the Republican candidate next year. Belknap stands very near Grant, who expressed formal regret for his resignation as Secretary of War, after he had confessed his guilt in selling post trad rships. Therefore, when Belknap says the Nicaragua scheme is a humbug, he probably knows what ho is talking about, and is more candid than the political managers who are seeking to throw dust in the eyes of the public. In the event of a restoration, of course Belknap expects to be vindicated by resuming the War Department. Delano has his eye steadily fixed on the Interior, which he converted into a bonanza during the period when Indian contracts were sold to the highest bidder, and the improved lands of poor settlers were spoliated by railroad corporations that had become experts in the golden rule of addition, division and science. Chorpenning Ores well, who reduced straw bidding in the postoffice to an exact science, and, as was said of the Prince of Wales in the Lady Mordaunt case, swore like a gentleman before the committees of investigation, believes that a strong man is needed to carry *him back into an office which is alleged to have yielded a profit of a round hundred thousand a year, exclusive of the cost of luxurious living. The ancient Taft, who hired an army of Deputy Marshals to aid the Hayes fraud, and who paid nearly half a million out of the treasury for partisan service, clings to the hope of a chance to make opinions to order, as Grant’s Attorney General. He is a boomer whose zeal is not tempered by age and is stimulated by ambition. All the old guard and their confederates, like hounds on a scent of game, are in full cry. They look forward to the day of restoration as the Israelites did to the land of promise. 'lhey have parceled out the honors in advance, and settled the equitable principle of a distribution of the spoils, so as to avoid quarrel hereafter. All this is considerate; but perhaps the chickens are counted before the eggs are hatched. [From the Springfiold Republican.] Grant was 50 years old when he became President the second time. Probably not one of the thousands who are prating about a change in Grant’s character by the simple process of going around the world have ever seen a man over 50 change his habits, his principles or his friends. Grant’s character from 1873 to 1877 is his character to-day. He is already showing it by seeking his old associates. Belknap’s “brazen face and yellow beard” was noticed in a carriage behind Grant’s in the Chicago procession. He was present at the receptions of the week, and “Gen. Belknap paid his respects to the Grant party and was warmly received by the General and Mrs. Grant,” saysan eye-witness. “Boss” Shepherd had a particular invitation from Grant to meet him at the Chicago celebration, according to the Hartford Times’ Washington correspondent, a man usually accurate in minor Washington gossip. It has always been understood that Maj. Babcock was in communication with Grant during his absence. Where the “old man” is, there the “boys” will gather themselves together.