Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1875-03-24

Although the harmlessness OF the
so called gag law has been demonstra.
ted in theory by those Congressmen
who were active IN its passage, in
practice it yet seems to have establish
ed a firm hold upon the indiscrect
newspaper correspondent whom ex-
Senator Chandler wishes to bring
from st Louis for trial before the Grim
inal court at Washington. The Chi
cago Tribune publishes full state
ment of Mr.. Buell. 5 side OF the case,
from which not only the operation Of
the law, but also the combination of
influences brought TO the assistance
of the Administration Senator is
shown in somewhat startling charac.
ter. Not the least remarkable feature
Of the business is the bOldness with
which Mr.. Buell. maintains the truth
Of his statements, which, if hbcllous
in any way, are most cmphatically so.
The character of these imputations on
tie personal character of Senator
Chandler is well known, the accusa-
tons relating alleged misconduct of q
gross and disgracefll sort, which is,
moreover, open to full confirmation
or denial on a fair investigation with
unprecedented and untimidated witness
Whether such a trial can be secured
at Washington may well be question
ed after the experience Of the safe
burglary suit, while there can be no
doubt that the notorious influences
surrounding the criminal court in that
District are such as to operate invidi-
ously against the defendant 1t is al
so worthy Of note that Mr. Chandler
has abandoned his suit against the
Detroit Free Press, in which. the COM
plant covered the whole ground ofthc
alleged libel ; and that in summoning
Mr.. Buell. to Washington, he bases
his accusation on a single point less
easily susceptible OF proof than that
in which the gravest libel was con
yeycd
But while the efforts Of any citizen,
whether in public or private life, for
the rehabilitation of his character must
be universally commended, the man
'ner i'll which the law has been strained
to accommodate Mr.. Chandler in his
contest against Il newspaper cores
pendent turns the current of popular
sympathy strongly toward the defend
ant in this case. The odds have thus
far been all On the side of the Senator
The expulsion OF the correspondent
from the reporters gallery was fol-
lowed By the celebrated prayer Of the
Senate Chaplain, in which DIR. Sun
derlard invoked the Deity to "palsy
the hand and paralyze the tongue of
the base slanderer.' a yet more eff
fective method was provided in the
gag law, which, however, rested un-
used until after the election which le-
cided the political fate Of Mr.. Chand-
Ter; and. to supplement the force of
this enactment. the Administration it,
self steps in by the hand of Attorney.
General Williams, VINO not only urged
on the local officials to harsh and
speedy measures, but forwarded for
use against the defendant a bench
warrant from the Supreme Court fer
his arrest IN case the gag law failed to
hold him. Such zeal on the part off
the Government serves 10 identify
more closely the interests represented
in the enactment of the gag law. 1t
is matter Of common notoriety that
the law was framed by the same Off
cial Of the District who was recently
tried for conspiracy in the safe.burg.
larry case, that ''Boss" Shepherd insti-
gated it, and that it was passed with
out explanation of its purport. The
appearance of the Acknowledgement
in this case shows the inatention of the
same faction to carry out the alleged
purpose of the law in spite of all dec
larati0ns of its innocent character.
Whatever may be the facts as to the
libel, the hardship which it imposes
on the defendant in this case is so ev-
identity unjust as TO appear even ma
licious.
HARpER'S MAGAzINr FOR AppI1