The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-12-19

official treaohery of this peridious caitif in
connection with the New Orleans riot, would
alone be sufficient to blast his reputation as
a man of honor. In the very crisis of the
danger, before the riot occurred a despatch
came to Washington from General Baird
asking instructions. This despatch was con-
cealed by Stanton, and kept from the know
ledge of the President for many days
after the riot. Had the President re-
ceived it in time, the riot would have been
prevented. That scene Of bloody violence was
precisely what the Republicans needed to
enable them to carry the elections against the
President. 1t spread a sentiment of horror
and vengeance through the North which gave
the Republicans the elections It thereby
emboldened Congress to adopt all the violent
measures which, as the public mind sobers,
are producing so mighty reaction. As a
point of official duty, quite apart from its
noxious consequences, there could be no ex-
cuse for withholding that despatch from
the President. But when the mischief was
done, and the country blazing from end to end
with wild indignation against Mr.. Johnson,
then il was that this wretch Stanton, stepped
his soul in the most villanous perfdy. BY
giving publicity to the facts, this undutitul
Secretary-this spotted and skulking adder
could have turned back the tide of sauderous
obloquy which was surging over his official
chief. It is no more than any honorable man
would have done, even il he had no party
affliation or personal relations with the Presi-
dent. But Stanton lay like cOiled reptile
among the papers of the War Department,
stealthily watching the swelling caused by his
fangs. The serpent, having bitten in secret,
skunk into his den He had poisoned the public
mind against Mr. Johnson, and II he also sup
piled the antidote he would cancel his merit
with the Presidents enemies, and lessen their
chances of triumph.
Justice marches with SLOW step, but sooner
or later she overtakes all who merit her
scourge. The reputation of Stanton is smitten
with loathsome leprosy from which no heal
ing waters can cleanse it. The Republicans so
hotly espoused his quarrel; they were so much
indebted to his treachery; his snaky folds are
so wound into and interlaced with their
favorte measures, that they cannot instantly
fling him off; but no honest Republican can
fail to regard him as disgraoed man. He is
a Shiny load for the party to carry, and yet
| they will perhaps feel that in the very first
contest that has arisen under the Tenure-of-
| Office bill, they cannot bear the humiliation OF
succumbing to the President. 1t is not merely
the personal character of Stanton that is in
question: their Tenure Of Office bill is in ques-
ton; their Reconstruction scheme is in ques-
| tion; the merits of their quarrel with the Pre-
sident are involved; the party capital they
made of the New Orleans riot returns to plague
them. They may, therefore, caress the lOathed
reptile for while, lest by too suddenly pull
ing him away the limbs of their own fAvorite
children should be torn off in his Hghtened
coils. He may perhaps give another hiss, be.
fore he glides away fangless into befriending
obscurity.