The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1873-12-31
A vhelescmc Lesson.

-'Tbe fate of the ring thieves I'D
New York ought to be lesson to
evil 1oers everywhere a few years
ago these thieves, rich with plunder,
protected Jv powerful party, augh-
I'd NJ nublic sentiment and dehcd the
arm of Justice. The ov' rthrow OF
th eDemocratic party was the death
knell of their corrupt power. The
people had become aroused at the
enormity of their crimes, and were
determined TO bring them to punish
ment. The task was hard one. A
corrupt judiciary stood in the way.
To institute reforms in the admins.
t.ation Of justice was slow work, but
il was prosecuted with fidelity
which reflects the highest honor on
the able representatives Of public vir-
tue who undertook the task. Under
the lash of public indignation and
legislative investigation the de-
tenders of the ring, the corrupt judges
who sold themselves for money, were
driven from the bench, and men OF
integrity were called to fill their
places. The reformation of the Ju-
dietary was the triumph OF virtue over
vice the victory of the honest taXpay-
ers over the thieves who for years
had been plundering them in the
name of the law. From that moment
the ring saw the handwriting on the
wall; their influence was broken ;
their hearts sank within them, and
alarm seized the boldest of the gang.
Some stood to face the charges in
the vain hope that money, so power
full as a defense in the past, would
shield them in the future. Others
fed under the csver Of night, and, un'
der assumed names, are now living
in foreign lands-fugitives from JUS
tee. 1t required time, patience, and
wonderful perseverance to bring about
this grand reform but the result justi-
/ fes the means, and shows that after all,
in the very stronghold of vice, public
virtue, if once aroused to action, has
the power to compel obedience to her
commands. Tweed sent to the pen
itentiary for twelve years, Ingersoll
sent to the State prison for five
years, and Harrington for eighteen
monts" take but little space in the
court reports, but they speak volumes
to the American people Of the dawn
Of new era in which official stealing
will find no protection in the courts
+ Of the land. We hail the dawn OF
this period with satisfaction, for If
assures us that the people have an
eve TO thsir own interests, and that
the same rules of morality which gov
ern in private life are to be applied
hereafter to those who hold public po-
sitions. Let the fate of the ring in
New York be a warning to all who
seek money through dishonest means;
let it impress upon the young and the
ambitious tie absolute necessity OF
dealing honestly with all men, and
practicing in everyday life that golden
rule: "Do unto others as We would that
others should do unto you" Wealth
NAV be attractive and worth striving
for, but, if got at the expense Of hon
or, its possession viii bring no enjoy
ment, but like the wealth of Tweed,
prove a curse to the possessor. Far
better the lot of the honest laborer
who enjoys the fruits of his toll, than
the lot of the rich thief who continu-
ally fears the hand Of justice. Better
be a poor mas, eating the bread of
honest industry, than millionaire on
Blackwell's Island.