The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1875-12-14
The nnhcock Bm.incss.


or distractions 10 thrown in the way OF
judicial proceedings. The abrupt removal
of Senator HENDERSON, chief prosecutor
of the Whiskcy Ring ut ST. Louis, Is an
other and very striking illustration of
these suspicious practices.
People will inquire how II happens when
the law was about To lay its hand on the
Presidents confidential secretary and
friend, there should bcany interference at
Washington with the pros, cution. Why
wait until the moment that the indct-
ment of BABCOCR was certain, to inter-
pose prctcxt, which un its face is false,
for circting the counsel who Is most
familiar with these eases, ana against
whom the only objection at Washington
is, that he had been too successful
The ALLEGED cause for the discharge OF
Mr.. HENpEBsoN is that IN his argument
on The trial Of AVERY Il pet of the Prtsi-
dent and confederate OF BABCOCK-he
used language which reflected on the
President personally. That charge is UNI
founded, and is denied by Mr.. llESprRsnN
on the faith of the steIugIaphcr's notes.
But even in the free report OF his speech
there Is nothing which is obnoxious To pro-
priety. He was illustrating the weakness
| OF Commissioner DOUGLASS in yielding tn
| external influences IN the discharge OF his
proper duties, and the consequences that
followed from interference; and these are
his words
"what right has the President to interfere
| with Commissioner DOUGLASS m the proper
| discharge OF his duties. or with the lr"asuierr
| None; and DOUGLAS showed lament tile
| weakness Of character when he listened to Bah
COO > dictates.
| - " nv did DOUGLAS bend the stumble hinges OF
| the knee and permit any Interference by the
| PRESIDENT This was DorGlAss's own husi-
| ness, and he stood Responsible COR IT under his
| official oath. lie wHa bound ~ listen to no dc
| tatiOn from the President. BABC"CK. or any other
officer. and 1t WA his duty 20 see tnat tuot order
wa carried out, or he should have resigned his
oihce."
Admitting that he used this language.
which Is much stronger 'ban the verbatim
report. there Is not a wort IN il tu which
execution can fairly be taken. He con-
dcmns The submission OF DoUGLAsS strong
~ ard properly, and in connection there
with makes manifest the interference of
the President The point which provoked
GRANTS ire, and stings him most IN pes
eucc of the Whiskev Riug exposures. is
the truth of HENpERsoS's statement. lie
did interfere directly, uIwarlGntdhly, and
suspiciously.
After approving Mr.. BR,Tow's order
last winter Ia change the supervisors and
agents, which was the first move against
the Ring, GRANT revoked that order at the
instance of MCDoNALD and the other
thieves without IA word Of notice to the
Secretary OF the Treasury. That nj least
was not BABCOCK's work, though he may
nil in hVtntrinU Iha
President made the order himself over the
head OF BHsrow, DOUGLASS, and every
body else. In so doing he gave his own
license TO continue the frauds and to
DEFY the Treasury. No wonder the Ring
eNultcd and proclaimed war against Bias
row
Dates become Of consequence in conncc-
ton with the summary dismissal OF Mr..
HENprUsoS. lii speech on the trial OF
AVERY wis made ON the 81 inst, and APP
pcared the next morning IN the -. Loui,
Republican and other papers. An ahstraoi
was sent over the wires throughout th'
country, so that on the An The substance
Of what he said was generally known
while the fun report reached Washington
on the bib inst. Whatever may have beer
the feeling OF the President OF his Cabinet
on this subject, no public expression o
offence was given until IN" indictment oi
BABCoCK became fixed TACT.
Thon and not til then was any forma
action taken on the subject. Mi rIEmE
PoNT became al once oScittd, and plicS
the telegraph vigorously, until lac got Mr.
IlrNpERsoN ont of Office upon the pre-
tencc tllat hc had committed All "outrna
upon professional propriety by reflect
ing, without shadow Of reason, upon In
PRECEDENT" He sat tranquil for five day,
but the moment the White House wa
brought under the focus Of the Gran,
Jury, the sensibilty of the Attorney Gen
eral was stirred, aud with the decide
effect that has been witnessed.
If the assumption that the President wa
unjustly rcproachUl were even true, thi
act OF arTesung the course OF justice coul
not be eXtenuated. Mr.. IIFNDERsoN
master Of the WhslIcy Ring frauds, an
, his presence was Indispensable To theI
, successful prosecution. To remove In
, now is 10 weaken the position of tn
4 Government at the very point where {
>. all others il should have been strengthened
, The public will draw the conclusion thu
, this step was taken 10 shield l}ABCoCK PEI
q sonally, and TO protect the White House Il
. the same time. II is II discrcdltable tricl
which is exposed by every oOnnec Nng eli
-, cumstance; ana even if it were not utenC
4 ed to help the Whiskey Ring, il Will Gel
A.. taiuly have that effect.
=. The whole course of the President in III
business is marked by IA desire Ia scrco
BAncoCK from exposure, and TO preveI
d, his punishment. lie has known fC
. months the extent OF the charges again
. him, and been familiar with the pa oofs ,
his completely in the corruption. VII
y that knowledge he never raised IA finger I
4, bring him TO account either rs a SC ldler {
! as civilian. On the contrary, he aocop
: cd BAbcocK'e story Of the damnlng tel,
4 grams hs satisfactory, and has not hesita
i "a TO declare his own belief in his innocenc
Indirectly the Presidents influence WI
>, used to avert the indictment which III
~ now been found. The extraordinary dc
:, patch which the Attorney Gcncral and Il
-.