The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1875-12-16
"Let no Guilty Man Eseape. !"

Let no Guilty Man Escape
In the course of the trial OF one OF the fu-
ficted whiskey ring toaspirators. at st. Louis,
last week, John B. Henderson, special assist
ant counsel for the GoxernRent, went out of
his way to assault the President Of the United
States, without the least sustifiable grounds
The course OF Henderson was so far in con-.
flict with the suggestions Of common decency
and proprety. that his remarks were brought
to the attention OF the Cabinet and without q
dissenting voice, it was determined to dispense
with his services in the capacity he had been
acting. The U. S.-District Attorney at st.
Louis, was instructed to that effect, and to EN-
ploy the services of the ablest counsel that
could be obtained without regard to party az
tiiation, preference being expressed however,
where honesty aud ability were equal, for a
gentleman OF opposite political sympathes to
the administration.
OF course, the Democratic politicians and
press lament that such a policy should have
been adopted by the Cabinet, as it might, as
they express it. carry the impression that the
administration is desireas Of screening Gen.
Babcock from the effects Of arigorous prose-
cution. Tke honest sentiment of the country.
does not accord with this apprehension, how
ever. The energy, the decision and high pur-
pose of the administration to fAlet no guilty
man escape" us manifested by the President,
Secretary of the Treasury and Attorney Gen
eral, are not in conflict with 3 proper re-
sentiment Of a gratuitons Insult to the chief
magistrate of the nation, offered by one of its
retained representatives. Had the Attorney
General not promptly taken steps to vndicate
the dignity OF the government i'll the removal
of Henderson,, it could with propriety have
been attributed to a cowartlice born Of con-
scions guilt, and justly called for the condem-
nation OF impartial minds, without regard to
party association.
1t was not known by the Attorney General
when Henderson was chosen to assist in the
prosecution, that ne entertained feelings of
embit5ered dislike towards the President, nor
dld the President interfere to prevent his en-
ployment OIL that account. So long as he con-
fined his efforts to the legitimate object Of his
position. nothing was eone or said to eMbar-
rass his action. But when he followed the in
clination OF Iris low nature, and under the
gl,ise Of performing public DUTY, Injected in
to his argument malicious assault upon the
President, the Attorney General himself could
not overlook the tlngracious act, and conse-
quently brought the matter to the attention Of
full cabinet, with the result as before stated.
Those who know John B. Henderson cam
.lot be surprised at the course he pursued He
has been false to every elevating emotion Of
human nature He was never true to any
| man or principle. He has even been false to
himself, in the sense that old Poionius would
constrne falsencss. He has never been trre to
the rule OF justice AMI right, that would forbid
the betrayal OF Il friend, aud is controlled by a
nallclolSllSss and selEsllness that is of itself
the browning Evidence Of bad motive.
The administration can afford to demand
justice to itself while it is endeavoring to vim
dictate the laws and punish their violators,
whatever be their social or official position
From one extreme of the country to the other,
with honest men, there is but one sentiment
III regard to the high resolves of the President
and his constitutional advisers in the herculeap
task they have undertaken Of unearthing the
stupendous frauds against the Government,
and bringing offenders to punishment. 'Iet
no guilty man escape" is a golden sent-
ment that Ntbrates the heart OF tile nation, and
is echoed from the extremes OF the Union, and
upon that platform and with that motto, to
address the conscience of the people, 1t mat
ters not What the political gamblers and tl,inl-
ble-liggers have to say. The honest thoughts
OF the people stand guards aroand public SER
wants who fearlessly discharge their Duties and
the pestiferous political montebanks and hire
ling scribblers who seek to divert the current of
popular approval Of the President and his law
ful advisers, by their malicious destinations.
will only sink the lower in popular contempt
as the truth forces its way upon the minds of
the people.