The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-02-02
Is II Eisht fer Grant to Testify IN
Bnbcock's Tavori

There is no doubt that President GRAST
has made up his mind 10 appear upon the
witness stand 60 testify in favor OF Gen.
ORvILLE +. BAnCoCK mt the approaching
trial OF that person in st. Louis. The re-
port that such was his intention has for
come time been current; but, not being
nhle TO credit IL, we have caused inquiries
60 be made III Washington, ana ascertainod
from there that ii is true. Gen. GRAST i'll
tends to go and testify in favor Of his in
dicted military secretary. 1t is possible.
indeed, that this purpose may lie modified
30 far TINT his deposition, taken In WISH
ington, may lie presented to the court and
jury without his appearing personally;
but the probability remains strong that
the original design will be carried out
This raises the interesting question
whether 1t is right for the President 70
appear in such manner and 10 apply his
nwn influence and the influence OF his
office in favor Of man accused of con-
spring to defiaud the Government.
There is no doubt that Gen. GRAST de-
.ircs TO have BAncoCR acquitted. His own
personal interest in his acquittal Is deep.
His conviction would cast nm indolible stain
upon the Administration and upon the
President himself. The fact that he has
retained DABcoCR rs his Secretary ia con-
Tempt Of law and against an express pro-
vision in tho statute Of July Is, 1870. rem
lers II q matter of extreme moment to the
Precedent that BAnCoCK should be de-
clared innocent by the jury. OF course,
GRAHr believes that he is innocent; for
the mind almost always brings itself 10
Scleye that which 4 earnestly desires.
Therefore, when the President appears
upon the witness stand he is there not
merely 10 state facts of ms own knowledge
that may tend Il convince the jury that
BAuCOCK is innocent. hut also to exert over
them an authority derived from his high
Office and from the respect which most
men feel toward ono in position So dis
tinguishcd and powerful. Thus it comes
to pass that, il BABCocK is guilty,
the President, the chief officer Of the
Government, actually goes to ST. Louis,
whether he intends il or not, 10 defeat
the ends Of justice and TO secure the es-
cape from punishment OF criminal guilty
of conspirinG to defrnud the revenue aud
TO violate the law which that same Presi-
dent has solcmniy sworn to execute and
20 preserve jnviolaie.
va AlAN btl'A ilit'Nlf NulIflui ntb'b'
20 be really innocent; supposing that all
the indications ail evidences of guilt
which have first brought him into sus-
picion and then resulted IN his indictment
nro mistaken aud dcusiye; would it not
be hard if his friend the President, should
be withhold By n consideration of mere
punctilio from appearing 10 give testimo-
ny by which hi limo 'cnce might be con-
clusvely esiablishcdY In fact, has Bah
COCK not right 10 BRAGG forward every wit
ness who can testify anything whatever
that will weigh in hi lNhalf? no doubt he
has such right; ana, ii he is innocent, Gen.
GRANT is justified h giving evidence to
prove that such is the truth. Yet it is
much TO be desired thai the later idea OF the
defence should be adapted and that the
public mind should be Nared the strain of
seeing the President placed upon the wit
ness stand under such circumstances. 1t is
better that his deposition should be taken
md read like any other document IL court,
rather than that by appearing himself he
should seem 10 use his personal aud olli-
cial Influence IN favor Of tine accused
II is difficult problem ia whatever light
u Is viewed; tut the source of the Cliff
Guilty is deeper ana the caisse Of the mis-
chief lies further back than this particular
incident N the career OF DAncoCK and II
GRANT. NVhnt is most depiorable in tn +.
whole bus'ness H. the fact that the White
House shou be occupied by such tenants
aud should have sunk into such n oondi-
ton US to prt duce such n trial NJ thr. If
the Prosdem were man Of high mo-
tives, of keeB discrimination, and OF a
delicate sense ~ personal and Official dig
nifty, he would never have kept score
tary whom the Law forbade him TO employ /;
neither would he have retained for It mo-
ment in his service q man whom Con-
gressional investigation had convicted Of
conspirng 10 defrud the Treasury ont of
enormous sums of money by certifying 10
false measurements in the city of Wash
tngtoni nor would he have tolerated
In ms Official household a man who could
MAINTAIN Intimate associations with such
creatures as MCDONALD ana JOYCE and
fp's crew OF whskcy con5pirators IN 81,