, 1875-12-12
THE REMOVAL OF HENDERSON.

| The removal Of Alr. HENDERSON from the
prosecution Of the whisky cases at St. Louis,
| while it will be received with regret, in SO far
| rs it removes IN apparently able and vigorous
prosecutor from the case, was nevertheless
an act which the President was compelled to
perform to preserve his self-respeot and the
unanimous Endorsement Of his action by the
Cabinet ot Washington, and indirectly by the
Grand Jury at St. Louis, viii be fa7orably
regarded by all but the most narrow and Bit
ter partisans.
When President GRANT appointed Mr.. HEM
DERsoN- to the Office of chief prosecutor he
did it with the full knowledge that their rela-
tions we're unfriendly. In selecting him,
therefore, and in overcoming any personal
dislike or i'll feeling towards him. he in reali-
ty paid Mr. HENDERSON an unusual and very
high compliment. He met him more than
hn1f way. He offered him more than recon-
ci1iatiou. With the franlmess of the soldier
element in his composition, he went to one
whom he knew to be his enemy and virtually
saia to him *' have faith in you that, not
withstanding your inimical relations to me,
you will do the duty entrusted to you. I am
willing to forget all enmities and place the
interests Of the Government in your hands
for protection" If Mr.. HENDERSON were not
disposed to meet the President in like spirit,
and act with corresponding magna-
nimity, lie never should have &C
cepted the appointment but, having
accepted, it should at once have disarmed
him, so long, at least, as he was engaged by
the President es q Government prosecutor.
He could not have selected more unfor-
tunate or ungracious time to exhibit his
spleen. It will be the very general i'm
preston that no honorable man would stoop
to deliberately betray Il trust coniided in him,
and improve an opportunity, given him by
The President in good faith, to assail the man
who had placed him in the position he held
To take advantage Of this position and strike
foul blow at the President was, to put the
act in its mildcst form, ungenerous, inhos-
pitable, and ungent1enanly. It ives deed
in shockingly bad taste, which is all the
more incoaceivab1e, since honor ana chivalry
ore subjected to hair-splitting conditions in
the South.
The action of Mr.. HENDERSON was not
alone ungracious SO far. rs the President IS
concerned It was trespass upon the con-
1dence which Secretary BR1s1ow and At
torney-General PERaEpoNr reposed in him,
nnd it placed both these gentlemen in very
embarrassing attitude towards the President
They fixed upon Mrs HENDERSON as the
proper person for prosecutor, and as such
recommended his appointment to the Presi-
dent. He acted upon their wishes, and, re-
gardless Of his own feelings, seeking only the
best interests of the Government, anxious
only that "no guilty man should escape"
made the appointment. Mr.. HENDERSON
therefore not only was guilty Of inhospitable
and unprofessional conduct towards the Pres
ident, but also towards the Secretary Of the
Treasury and the Attorney-Genera1, and
brought them into unpleasant relations
to the President. They both felt the trespass
upon them, and were indignant and resented
it. He was removed at their request, as he
had been appointed at their request. The
removal received their hearty Endorsement, rs
it did of the rest Of the Cabinet and as it will
of all respectable members Of the Bar, and OF
all fair-minded people in general.