Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1875-12-17
An Indignity to the Legal Profession.

The attention of the nation has of late been
attracted to the unearhing of the stupendous
frauds upon The national revenue, in the way
of crooked whskey In ST Louis, and more
surprising still is the fact that these frauds
have been brought home to the officials Of the
United States, and still more surprising is the
prompt, able and decisive prosecution which
has followed. 1t really seemed ms IL new
era had dawned in The financial affairs of our
nation, and tina. gross and glazing frauds
were longer TO be tolerated, even though
the perpetrators were the rght-hand friends of
President Grant and luxuriated meath the
shadows of the national Capitol
These bold and successful prosecutions OF the
convicted vampires that were stealthily fatten.
ing on nation blood were due, in n great
measure, doubtless, TO J. 3. Henderson, the
special counsel OF the United States at ST.
Louis for the prosecution of these cases.
1t seems that our anticipations of new era
were gronndless shat the old pioverb has
been verified the dog 10 his Won't and the
SOW to the mire-for scarcely have these sue
cessful prosecutions ended and a nation graft
iude due to Mr.. Henderson, its special attor-
ney for the boldness, fidelity and ability with
which he discharged so important and oner-
ous duty, when 10 our most high, sublime
porte, U. S. Grant takes umbrage at some
thing said by Mr.. Henderson in his argument
of one Of these whisky cases, and forthwith,
in solemn conclave of majesty and cabinet,
Mr.. Henderson is discharged.
The freedom of speech by an attorney in de-
batting his case heretofore has been consid-
cred one Of the grand privileges and high pre-
negatives of the profession. But now we be-
hold member of the bar stricken down for
the exercise of this very privilege. Who was
the best judge Of what kind of an argument
that case required in ST. Louis, the lawyer at
the forum, or U. s. Grant and his cabinet at
Washington Yet, we are told that at re-
Elected upon the President without the shadow
of reason" Notwithstanding the fact that his
effort was crowned with success, and the fruit
of his labor vas the conviction of these treas
ury pirates. Win his Imperial Highness
deign TO answer and tell the profession wheth-
er Mr.. Henderson was employed to protect the
interest of the nation in these cases, or was he
employed with special view to protect the
purity and majesty Of the White House at
Washington 1t would seem, from the pres
ent action, that the protection of the spotless
character of U. S. Grant was of decidedly
more Importance than the national treasury.
What will be the degraded position of the
attorney, under circumstances like these that
will accept the position Of Mr.. Henderson
thus vacated 2 He should be spurned and de-
spsed by all honorable men in the profession.
He becomes the hired mental, not to try case
like freeman upon lis merits, but he enters
the temple of justice under bauns TO protect
and vindicaie the name of U. S. Grant, even
though the evidence should trace the fraud to
the threshold of his very door.
The success of an attorney in conducting
his case so as to terminate in favor of bis
client, usually enures TO his credit but, in
this particular instance, we have the reverse
the wolf had entered the fold and the shep-
herd, as well as the pet lambs, were in danger,
Doubtless, we will soon see fine display of
legal talent over General Babcock at an enor-
nous expense 10 our government, his inno-
eence clearly established and his majesty U.
S. Grant perfectly ovcipowered at the euo-
gum on his character his ability and wisdom
in selecting counsel for this special duty, and
towering yet higher, his Judgment and ntui-
tion into the human character for ability and
integrity in the selection of Avery, Sc, TO
take care of the whisky revenue.
Every doctor is entitled 10 his opinion, aud
as bis excellency is now dubbed y. s. Grant
L.. u. d., (sll honor and praise to the col
bege that conferred the degree) doubtless we
will find innumerable adherents TO this new
legal idea--of discharging your attorney as
soon as he gains your case and try to find one
not quite so successful, for fear he might ruin
you.
All honor TO j. B. Henderson for his brave
ard manly reply, "a stand by my speech as
g made il | said nothing beyond what my
sworn duty required, and for that have no
apology 10 make" As long as men like
him grace the legal profession, we need have
no fear of l.. l.. D's., and the colleges which
make them.