New-York tribune., 1874-04-01
HONEST MEN IN THE POWER OF OFFICIAL
POGIJES.

rERRoRs OF THE REVENUE LAWS JAYNE AND HIS
DryrCEs-ONE CAUSE FOR WIDESPREAD MORAL
DEGENERACY.
To me Editor Of The Trtbune.
SIR The importers of this country owe you
debt Of gratitude which hops they wont forget for
your bold and able espousa Of their cause in their Efforts
to resist IA atrociOus tyranny any mercantile com
muny experienced at the hands of the officers OF
an arbitrary Government. Whom commerce was strug-
Cling existence in the feudal times, when might was
considered right and freeb0otng wds called chlyalry,
no grosser handed outrage was ever waged
against the peaceful trader by the robber baron than
the merchants OF this enlightened republic have been
obliged to submit TO In our day from the bullying agents
OF a Government which calls itself patcrna. When
they pounce books their first dash Is 10 discover
the secrets Of profit aud loss account to find out the
amount of bleeding their victim can endure without
total collapse. If he has goodly balance on the right
side they know they have struck gold mine, ana the
forced surrender of handsome portion only ques-
ton Of time. II they fail TO succeed by one method.
they have twenty others more terrible IN reserve III
they cannot coax you by the confidential whisper and
the Outstrethed palm they rattle handouts before
your eyes, and threaten you with dungeon. Uncle
sam is strong and these hecorng bulIIes are his ac-
credited agents and display his shield. They can
blast your credit and ruin your reputation by malignant
charges borne the wings Of the farpenetrang press
and protract your trial hcarbreakiug years If they
think proper before you can have chance of proving
your innocence. IL the law which gives the power TO
an irresponsible individual To ruin an innocent man does
not need reformation, wbain this crooked world does
Mr.. Thos. Barbour IN his speech at Steinway Hall,
speaking from his own bitter experience having fought
the Government through thick and thin for IA anxious
months, and at last proved conclusiyely his
entire innocence advised his hearers to beware OF
initiating his example. "You had better surrender at
once" said he hand these gentlemen your cash-box
and let them help themselves" Mr.. Clailln Is SAID
in
outrages but that enlightened merchant were TO nnu
the wheels OF his immense business brought 10 stand
still by these vermn p0king their tails ana noses INTO
his machinery, and refusing to yacate unu ney nave
secured their booty, he might pipe To another tune we
can all make fun Of the tOothache until we feel the
twnge ourselves Under the operation or the present
law ID Is quite possible for the yrtuOus Jayne 10 rum
the immaculate Ca1in, though am sure that eminent
merchants conscience Is IN this respect as whte as
milk. Do suppose when there Is good prospect OF
gaining two per fees the plunder or million
any Attorney would believe him Innocent, ana
refuse to frame Indictment
We hear a lament all the country from pulpit and
press that morality of the present generation of
Americans IN rapidly declining. why this IL Is De-
cause the Government, which ought TO present the
farest ideal people OF justice OF truth, OF purity,
OF charity, has fallen from ITS high estate. IT. mas
thrown its protecting shield practices which out
rage every OF honor OF honesty or even decency
1t chooses to employ officers OF the law men who, II
Justice were done, would be breaking stones in the
State Prison. Ii sends to merchants agents TO Ferret
out dishonesty who could give Robin Hood lessons III
highway robbery. 1t invents system which must
necessarily and spies IN It's administration
and calls existence hundred evils more WlckeC
than the pretends TO put down. How long must
this last Shau fair Republic continue 10 spawn
these official thieves until 1t becomes the scorn and by
word or the wordf L. u'
Nep- York. March q, 1874.