New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-09-11
THE WAY OF THE TW1NSG RESSOR.

To be talked Of sneeringy to have his mis-
cries made a Jest, to be called by disrespectlul
nicknames, to be a homeless wanderer at an
age when most men prefer to be stationary
this is the fortune and we may say the retribu-
ton of our great municipal thief. From the
quarter Of Europe most unexpected, except by
those who might be in the secret, comes tine
news of his arrest. The stciy is doubted, and
even contradcted; but whether it be true or
false, whether he is coming back close pris-
oner or not coming back at ali, the fugitive
Tweed is once moro talked of, ioked about,
and discussed wherever men most do corgre-
gate, either for talking or for tipping. This
man Systematically swndlcd the city treasury,
and of course tho city taxpayers, out
of an enormous sum of money; and i'll
stead of enjoying his plumber instead OF
banquets WHICH he loves and the vulgar show
which he so thoroughly enjoys, Ivy tue tele-
gram all over EIyOpe and America he Is re-
ported as "A stopped thief who, treaty or no
treaty, is 10 he sent back to his Old prison.
What difference after all, if good reputation
be the greatest treasure, does 1t make ID MIN
whether he is 10 he returned or mott II the
man has so much IA sensitive point in his
nature, how miserable must he be Many i'll
his position would go to the prison door and
beg as the greatest of fayOrs to be locked up,
out of the sight of their iellow-creatures and
out of the hearing of human voices.
Probably, however, Mr.. Tweed is not sensi-
tive, and to him the worst of his notoricty may
be its practical Inconvenience. TO point that
out to those who are tempted to do as he has
done, may not he to enforce great moral
lesson, but it may be useful 10 remind those
who have some regard for their own comfort
that the chances OF securing it by grand lar
ceny are few ana small. The telegraph has Is
much diminished a CulpTitS opportunities OF
ultimate escape as the steam engine has in
creased them. The same facility Ot travel which
enabled Mr.. Tweed so successfully for time
10 disappear. has put somebody who knows his
remarkable viSage into almost every corner OF
Europe. Wherever he may 20, fear must be
his travelling cOmpaniOn. lie must study ex-
tradition treaties, and take constant legal adj
vice. Here he must shave, and there he must
wear his beard. Morally, il not practically, be
is constantly hustled, watched, suspected. In
every bush he sees an officer, and whoever may
be his companion his vigilance cannot be in
dulged in so many as forty winks OF sleep.
Mr.. Tweed may not be returned with un-
escapabe indignitics to Ludlowst.; bat think
of what ne would suffer if he should De. There
would he the old familiar bolts JId bars which
he fancied that he had left bghini forever.
There would be the sheriff laughing Cor joy AZ
the mexpresshlc relief OF his return. There
would be the turnkeys and the walters and he
very bootblacks gazing or srlming ut him.
There would be the pilory OF The newspapers.
There would bo the more rigorous imptis"n-
ment 10 which he would he subjected And
all this Is what may happen to him, even if
il is not about TO happen His hide may be as
thick as that of n IhinOcer0S, bU. some of al
the pins thus suggested wonld penetrate it,.
People guessed yesterday dat he might he
reading i'll Ncw-Ycrk these reports # his ar
rest in Spain. If so, is it probable lhat no
actually Iclishod them1