The Plymouth Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1869-1941, 1870-03-03
a. We See 1t.

The Northern Hdidaian and Plym-
outh Republican newspapers of last
week devoted about ten columns to the
BEAVER case and to personal abuse OF
the editors of THE DEMOCRAT. In re-
gard to the personalities, We have only
this to say: The remarks made by these
papers with reference to ourself (the
"son-in law" of Mr.. WHEELER) are Of
such nature that We do not deem it
necessary to do more or less than plead
guilty to being his son-in-law.
The brainless boy who runs" the
Republican may comfort himself with
the reflection that we shall not letaliate
upon him. and make him blush with
shame at recital of his own dirty acts
|ard the criminal conduct OF his paternal
ancestor, and we viii also assure Gen.
REUB. WILLIAMS that we shall not re-
taliate upon him by reciting any of his
olIensea that perhaps may he fully as
heinous as being the son-in-laW Of Mr..
WHEELER.
But as these journals are much az
grieved at the course we have taken in
regard to the BEAVER ease, and have
devoted SO much space to us on this
subject, We wish merely to briefly refer
to the position taken by them and by
US.
We have heretofore contended, and do
now contend. that the simple fact of
cha'ying WHEELER and YINALL with
an ofense was not evidence that they
were guilty; and that they are entitled
to fair trial in court before they are
adjuaged guilty by the public or by the
press.
We have believed, and do now be-
lieve, that the course pursued by these
journals. and other parties, was eztraor
binary aud outrageous.
he 5cliere WHEELER and VINALL to
be ianocent, and do not believe any party
prosecuting them has reasonable ground
TO believe them them to be guilty. This
being our candid conviction, we think,
under the circumstances, and consider
ing the effort that has been made to
iorestall public opinion, we have g right
to express it, even though we are the
son-in-law of WHEELER.
We have only asked heretofore, and
now ask, that their case may be fairly
presented for trial, and that no effort
be made to prejudice the case before
Judicial investigation can be had 1t
seems 70 US that no one can ask less or
demand mGre.
The effort that has Lcen made by
these journals to create false impressions
by publishing false lumors and state
ments of irresponsible parties, that we
kaor cannot be sustained, and run the
matter into politics, and to create pref
udice against them because they arc
wealthy, and their appeals to all the
baser passions OF man, in order to con
Wet the parties charged, without refer
ence to their guilt or innocence, is dis
reputable and disgracefi.l, dishonest
and dishcnorable.
These men tie charged with crime
Let them have trial: if they are inno-
cent let them be acquitted; if they are
guilty, convict them. The man who
asks more is a scoundrel, and coward
who is seeking to wreak private ven
eeance; the man who asks less is
knavc vie is seeking reward
The charge that we have sought to
cover up any facts, or to create pub
lie opinion in favor OF the accused, or to
give tie case political bearing, is
simply false, and the author of any Of
these charges, if an intelligent man,
never made the charge honestly.
Mr. WHEELER IS now here for trial.
and DIR. VINALL will be. Thcyare en-
title,- to a trial without prejudice, and
We merely demand that they shall have
it.
And We donouEce the journals and
the men who originated and circulated
false and unwarrantable reports about
them aud their case, as wicked, dishon-
est and oishonorable, and believe we
shall be aole to prove them such, and
shall not be driven from our position
even BY being called the "son>in-law"
Of Mr.. WHEELER, " with great expecta-
tons"
An attempt to persecute any man is
moral crime, and a large majority Of
the men who arc attempting to perse-
cute WHEELER and VINALI. are not
only moral but legal criminals. This
fact simply goes to show that the extra
ordinary course pursued by them does
not spring from their desire to see jus
/ tee done, but is to wreak vengeance or
secure some immediate personal or
profession al advantage.
Such influences should not, and we