New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-03-09


down stairs. -
We have ono word for this man Fithian.
and for all that ruiiianly crowd who have been
driven to desperation by the rum OF 'ne
machine of plumber which they thought was
to serve them forever. They must learn once
for all that they have no immunity rom
criticism. They have no more rights
than other criminals. 1t may not 10
agreeable for them to be alluded 10 III
their character as thieves and burglars anu
foreers: but their feelings cannot DO COLI
suited in these matters. THE TRIBUNE never
calls names without justification, and IL never
withholds important public facts out OF con-
sideration for friends or opponents. "o eh.
tered long time ago into this tight against
every form of public dishonesty, ana we do no'
intend to quit the field while anything remains
TO be DONE which is equivalent to saying that We
expect to continue in the work great wIilie
longer. 1t is waste Of time p a.sasAA Z "
T8IgVME. Ehis has Reeh tried by better mon
than Fithian, and cleverer men than MS con'
Wet father-in-law. and stronger combinations
than any which Tammany IN its pest days
could manage. AS long as The TRIBUNE
lasts. editors may come and may go, but no
thief nor swndler need ever expect any
change in its policy toward them.
Least of all can they hope to accomplish
anything by violence 1t is the natural I'M
pulse of the vulgar, uneducated rufiians who
constitute the material of which the Ring was
made to resent with the pistol or the bludgeon
any reference to their misdemean0rs. But III
they would consider a moment they would see
how absurd is such q proceeding. Does
Fithan suppose that if he had succeeded
in his foolish attempt Of yesterday, nc
| would have Jared any better tO-dayf The
gentleman whom he assailed had not attacked
him or his worthless relative. 1t was HE
| TRIBUNE which gave expression to the senti-
ments of all honest people about the whoie
corrupt conspiracy. 1t is THE TRIBUNE when
speaks to-day and will speak tomorrow, ana
long after this vermin OF the hour
have been swept away and forgotten
| 1t is not without a. certain plty
and compassion that we consider the situation
of these unhappy men. They thought the
stream of gold which flowed in to them from
their thefts and perjuries was to last forever.
The millions they have stolen seem pltfully
little when the supply is once cut OIL ANA
even that, they begin seriously to fear, they
are to lose. This man Fithan, for instance
ia reputed to have half million OF Connolly 8
money, to which he has no more right than
pickpocket has to the purse he has stolen.
The reform in which we are engaged will
be a miserable mockery if men like this
retain the cash they have robbed. They
begin to appreciate the fact, and
are growing correspondingy desperate. To
them, exposure, public contempt, social ostra'
cism mean nothing. They never had any
characters to lose. But they do fear
the loss of money, for that means no me
houses. no high living, no easy and
lavish luxury of horses, and clubs, and
wines. 1t means the possibility Of honest
work for an honest livelihood, to which they
have grown unaccustomed and which fills them
with dismay. No wonder they are mad and
desperate But that cunning which they pos
sess. in common with some other beasts OF
prey. should teach them that their fate Is not
TO be ayerted by staggering ruiiianism.