New-York tribune., 1872-12-06
TWEEDjS TPIAL.

we had hoped to chronicle this morning the
serious opening of the case of the people against
William NJ. Tweed; but that announcement Is
for the present deferred Having from the
first been earnest in urging the speedy prose-
cution of this chief Of all the Ring accused,
TIE TRIBUNE can now the better afford to
insist, if the indictments be sustained, that he
shall have full and fair trial. As the prin-
cipal of the gang who were indicted, the fate
of all tho others depends upon that meted out
to Mr. Tweed. In every sense his is test
case, to decide which virtually concludes all
the other cases. Acqut him and the others
accused will laugh at your prosecution; con-
Wet him and they fly to all remOtcst parts or
the globe where cxtradition treaties cannot
reach them. Therefore, it has always seemed to
us of the gravest moment that Mr.. Tweed should
be tried at as early day as possible; there
fore also, as involving and deciding so many
cases, it now appears of equal Importance
aside from the question of justice-that he
should have the fullest and faiTest of trials.
Above all does it now seem important that
the prosecution-if it shall ever force him to
plea-should guard against the blunders
which were fallen into in the earlier stages OF
the case. The little irregularities which the
Attorney-General or his assistants seem to
have been guilty of before the GRIND Jury
threaten to block the prosecution before 1t Is
fairly under way. 1t is idle to say these have
been abs1rdly magnifed by defendants eoun-
sci one proof that they are falsely charged Is
worth a whole volume of ridicule. There IS
no use in shutting our eyes to the fact that
tho difficulties to bo found in initial
proceedings to convict of an uncommon
crime, not specifically defined by the
laws, have been magnifed in this case
by certain well meant but possibly
over-zeaous acts of the prosecuting officers
It is of no consequence to the Judge that the
prosecutor appeared in the Grand Jury room
to advise and instruct 1t; Judge lngraham,
who is asked to quash on this ground, Will OF
course take into consideration no intention,
good or bad. but decide on the fact itself.
The proof of the fact is not very strong, but
even that is not denied; and the arguments In
explanation and defense of the propriety of
the counses acts before the Grand Jury were
not as strong as we had reason to expect from
the reputation of Messrs. Peckham and Ire
main. In fact, Mr.. Peckham's was the only
serious argument of the prosecution; and to
this Mr.. Field is to reply, in conclusion Of the
whole, to-day.
What has gone before in this case admon-
ishes counsel of the need, if the indictments
be sustained, as we hardly venture to hope,
of the utmost precision and caro- in future
proceedings. We may expect the active coun-
sci of Tweed to take advantage of every
blunder. Great interests of the people are in
volved, urging care and it must not be for
gotten that on the other hand are men fight
ing virtually for dear life, and that they will
not hesitate to try any legal loop-hole pre-
sented them. We only trust they have not
already found one large enough to admit of
Mr TMeed's Temporary escape.