Democratic Sentinel, Volume 4, Number 25, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 July 1880 — Dark Sigma of the Times. [ARTICLE]

Dark Sigma of the Times.

Nothing more clearly presages the decline and ultimate ruin of a nation than the prevalence and toleration of corruption in high places. It is true, there are other indications: such as pride, avarice, and gross infidelity, which are commonly the outgrowth of excessive wealth; but these are so closely associated with the former that they may, in many respects, be rogarded as identical. But a nation’s peril is most imminent when men can be elevated to, or be long retained in. positions of great responsibility, whose record has been characterized by dishonesty and treachery. With a high-minded and patriotic people, the bare suspicion of corruption sho’d exclude persons from political preferment, especially when the position sought for is one of great responsibility. It is only when a people have become demoralized—when every principle of manhood, every sense of honor and integrity have been paralyzed that they can be induced to give their suffrage to a man whose reputation is stained by perfidy. It is as true in morals as in hydrostatics, that the stream will not rise higher than the fountain, and whenever a people can be induced to choose a leader whose honor and integrity he esteems no better than merchandise, they afford the most conclusive evi dence that they are in no condition to appreciate or maintain a free and independent government. The very fact that such a man should be selected by a powerful party and presented to the public as a fit person to fill the highest position In the gift of a free and intelligent people is a sad comment on the degeneracy o* a nation once proud of its honor and integrity. At no timo, prior to the late civil war, would such an expedi •nt have been ventured upon by any party; and it would be an auspicious event that would auger well for the future of our country if the people, irrespective of party, would rise in their majesty and resent the insult and indignity imposed upon them, by inflicting an overwhelming and ignominious defeat on the party and candidate who have pfesumed upon their indifference to honor and integrity. J. M.

Will theKentland Gazette inform its readers that the "back pay grab,” thro’ the instrumentality of Garfield,passed Congress on the 3d of March, 1873. On the 26th of March, 1873, a republican convention held at Warren. Trnmbull county, in his district adopted resolutions of severe censure, coupled with a request that Mr. Garfield resign. Ou the 22d of April following he returned the $5,000 to the Treasury. He saved his seat, but his majority fell from 10,944 in 1872, to a fraction over 2,000 in 1874? Will it do so?

Oh, for a wood-cut to illustrate the picture presented in the Republican of to-day. Owiug to the necessary absence of its editor a part of the time a number of his political friends are very properly and kindly engaged iu providing Its contents, which, from the number of cooks, without a managing h**ad, makes rather u diversified mixture for the reader. Here we have a column supplicating for mercy, and interceding for a cessation of reference to the official (uot personal) character of its candidate for President—begging for rest from “raudslingiug” iHid slanderous epithets (?) Another column, from another writer teems with contemptible filth and cowardly iuuendoes. One engaged iu pitiful supplication—another in throwing mud. The mud they accuse us of Hinging was manufactured by Messrs. Garfield, Poland, Banks, aud tjo radical press. It is of their own production, bears offleiul imprint of rudical Congressional committees, of rudical convention iu Mr. Garfield’s district, and the verdict of the radical preas thereon. The radicul convention placed Mr. Garfield in nomination. With this “mud” clinging to his skirts he is not the proper person to administer the government, and the people are entitled to know whit manner of man he is.

Those who have been engaged in chargin treason, rebel symputhy, etc., upon Democrats—aye, upon Democrats engaged at the front in contest to crush rebellion, while they remained in the lear to vote—are the parties who are squealing now. Gen. Hancock, who shed his blood, aud received the thanks of Congress and a grateful people for his grand courage and ability, is reproached with haviug been educated at the expense of the general govenraent. Very well, by his long, faithful, and brilliant servicet he has more than repaid the government. He is to-day the standard bearer of the grand old Democratic party, by his governmental education well fitted for the position to wh’ch he will be elected.

The Kentland Gazette insists that we have not shown it to be “a well established fact, that Garfield is a salary grabber.” We suggest that the Gazette publish tho proceedings in Congress connected with the “grab” act. In the proceedings Mr. Garfield is reported as having taken umbrage at the insinuation that it was just so much plunder, and retorted: * “It is not plunder, unless gentlemen here consider themselves not deserving the promised pay.” * Then again he closed his remarks upon his report from the conference committee, with the following appeal for its adoption by the House: “I have nothing further to say, except that I wish the House to weigh well the danger of refusing to concur in this report.” Is it very likely that after such an exhortation from Mr. Garfield, he wo’d turn about and vote against the darling project that had caused such imploring utseranee? Not so. He favored the “grab,” voted for it, took it, and only returned it after receiving a terrible and scathing arraignment at the hands of his constituents. Tho Gazette adds: “We have the Congressional Globe and have examined it fully on this subject.” If so, Ml. Gazette, copy the proceedings, correctly and without garbling, from the official records, and we are willing to submit the proper construction to your readers and ours.— Let your readers “examine it fully on the subject,” also. Dare you do it?

The chairman and secretary of the Jasper county radical committee pretend to play “bluff,” as the oard below published in last week’s Republican indicates: “If the Democrats aad their allies desire a fair comparison of Garfield and Hanoock as to their fitness for the office of President of the United States without reference to political affiliations, the Republicans of Jasper county are.willing to have their merits publicly discussed at the Court House at any convenient time, by a supporter of Garfield living in Jasper county and a supporter of Hancock living in Jasper county, selected by his friends. It is easier to make assertions than prove them. Let the mudslingers put up or shut up. Henry I. Adams, Chairman. I. B. Washburn, hec’y Jasper Co. Republican Cen. Committee. The officers of the Republican Cen tral committee are evidently laboring under a “spell of aggrawation.” What would a “fair comparison of Garfield and Hancock as to their fitness for the Office of President of tbe United States without reference to party affiliations,” result in? We will not “make assertions,” but simply take the state ments of the gentlemen and their respective friends and see.— Speaking of a transaction in which he had a hand, Gen. Hanoock says: Headquarters Second Corps. ) Army of the Potomac, J uly 3,1863, J Major General Geo. G. Meade, Commanding Army of the Potomac: The troops under my command have repulsed tne enemy’s assault, and have gained a great victory. The enemy are now flying in all directions. W. S. Hancock, " Major General. To which his friend, Gen. Meade, nspondtd: Headquarters ) Army of the Potomac, July 3,1863. j Say to General Hancock that I rc-

gret exceedingly that he is wounded, and that I thank him for the country and for myself for the great service he has rendered to-day. Geoboe G. Meade, Major General Commanding. And to which a republican Congress and President, “without refer ence to political affiliations,” responded: Be it Resolved by the House of Representatives, That in addition to the thanks heretofore voted by joint reslution, approved January 28. 1864, to Major General George G. Meade, Major General Oliver O. Howard, and to the officers and soldiers of the Army of the Potomac, for the skill and heioie valor which at Gettysburg re pulsed, defeated and drove back, broken aud dispirited, the veteran army of the rebellion, the gratitude of the American people and the thanks of their representatives in Congress are likewise due and are hereby tendered to Miijor General Winfield S. Hancock for bis gallant, meritorious aud conspicuous share in that great and decisive victory. Passed by the House April 10, 1866. Passed bv the Senate April 18,1866. Signed by the President April 23, 1866.

We might quote from references to his great courage aud abilities in many other engagements, when he elicited from admiring and grateful commanders that his heroic conduc* and bearing was “superb,” etc., but we desire to bo brief. Of the civil qualifications of Gen. Hancock we let Judge Black, than whom no more efflci-mt critic lives today,speak: Washington, November 30.1867. My Dear General— This moment I lead your admirable order. I am much engaged, but I can not resist the temptation to steal time enough from my clients to tell you how grateful you have made me by your patriotic and noble behavior. Yours Is ths first, most distinct and emphatic recognition which the principle of American liberty has received at the hands of any high officer in a Southern command. It has the very ring of the Revolutionary metal. Washington never said a thing in better taste or better time. It will prove to all men that “Peace hath her victories not less renowned than war.” I congratulate you, uot because it will make you the most popular man in America, for I dare say you care uothiugabout that, but because it will give you through all time the solid reputation of a true patriot aud a sincere lover of your country, its laws aud its government. This, added to vour brilliant achieve ments as a soldier, will leave you without a rival iu the affections of all whose good will is worth having* and give you a place iu history which your children will be proud of This acknowledgement from me does not amount to much, but lam expre sing only the feelings of millions, and expressing them feebly at that. With profound respect, yours, etc. J. S. Black. Under oath, referring to a transaction in which he was charged with having a hand, Mr. Garfield says: I never owned, received or agreed to rebdive any stock of the Credit Mobilier or of the Union Pacific railroad, nor any dividends or profits arising from either of them.—Mr. Garfield. To which, after hearing the testi muny, a republican congressional committee, “without reference to political affiliations” responded as follows: „ “He (Garfield) agreed with Mr. Ames to take ten shares of Credit Mobilier stock, but did not pay for the same. Mr. Ames received the 80 per cent, dividend in bonds, and sold them for 97 per cent., and also received the 60 per cent cash dividend, which, together with the price of the stock and interest, left a balance of $329. This sum was paid over to Mr. Garfield by a check on the Serg *ant-at-Arms.“ His constituents, in convention assembled, adopted scathing resolutions already published by us. which prove him to be totally unfit for the posi tion named.