Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1876-02-25
Grant to the Rescue of Crime.

Perhaps never, in any country, except in
times frsught with The lowest moral and po-
itical depravily, VAS ever witnessed the re-
government. who are chosen for the admins
tration OF law, interesting themselves in the
fate of criminals, and seeking 10 the most
public manner, TO impede the progress of JUS
iice. Such scene WIS sadly presented TO
this country when the President of the United
Sistes devia,ed from The usual course Of wit
nesses in a criminal proceeding and sought
10 impress jury with the idea that they were
not dealing with ordinary Witnesses who sit
in the box Of District court and are exam
one who cannot stoop below The witness box
o. the Supreme Court and one who could be
examined before no one except the Chief JUS
tice of the country. In criminal cases il has
always been the custom where courts could
compel The attendance of witnesses 10 examine
them in the presence Of The jury; but the
President although he can visit Long Branch
and other Places of amusement, wasting near
~ one-half Of the year. cannot go TO 81.
Louis and testify as other witnesses. Beyond
even this, he cannot permit his affidavit TO be
taken before II notary public or the Judge of u
local cou!l, but calls into requisition The Chiri
Justice that his testimony may be presented
TO the jury wrapped in all the dignity which
such proceeding would throw around II and
influencing the minds Of the jurors by sound
ing names and high places. And even his
testimony exposes how deeply interested he is
10 Babcock, for while he remembers with dis
tincin-ss incidents and occurrences tending 10
prove his innocence when cross-examincd and
his mind explicitly directed to facts which
would establish bis completely in the conspira-
ey, his inva:able answer WAS, Il have no
such recollection
We do not propose 10 assert that Babcock
10 guilty, or that even Sufficient evidence has
been produced 10 establish his guilt beyond
doubt, but we do say that facts have been de-
veloped which created almost general opin-
ion that he WAS crimnally connected with the
Nv hisky Ring. Grant WIS well informed
Of the general belief OF Babcoek's guilt. and
sven if he himself was satisfied of his limo
eence, which we doubt we could not have
blamed him for ,eslifying to such facts within
his knowledge ns might establish his limo
eence yet, We cannot but censure him severe
ly for desialng from he customary course Of
witnesses aud taking advantage OF those
privileges which he knew would he extended
n ff tI. oil ..f ;,,H,
the jury by parade of his extfaordinar,
character. But this is MOI the fisi instance in
which he has gathered criminals 10 his bosom
aud sought to pro 'ecl them from justice by II
public exposure Of the deep interest which
General Ulysses S Grant, President, mani
Tested for them. When Shepherd was on trial
before committee Of Congress, Grant could
be seen parading the streets Of Washington
with him, as ifby his almighty hand he would
iii him above .he oppr,brium nlu which Tie
startling facis OF fraud and corruption which
were being developed were plunpiug him
aud even after Sheppcrd had been I'D
Judged CHILLY by that committee and there WINS
scarcely person who had scanned the tcsii-
nominated him for one Of the District Com
missioners, not merely TO again place in his
rapaeious grasp the city OF Washington, but,
ny this exhibition offublic confidence in him
to restore again 10 public esteem one who for
bis many crimes So justly deserved the disre-
puie which gathered around him
Again, when Harrington WINS on trial
charged with participation in The Safe Bur-
glary Conspiracy" and The whole press of tn,
country convinced of his guilt, demanding
that justice should be 'indcaied, and whole
people camoring for the punishment of tht
offender, we find Grant dnriue The progress of
the prosecution taking him from the criminal
dock TO the dining table in the White Houst
knew that every newspaper would give pub
LEFTY TO the fact aud that il must reach the
ears OF the jurors Whether or not il was his
intention so 10 do, We cannot say: hul we d.
"a, that il WAS calculated to impress the mind
O. The jury with The idea that so general was
the opinion of Harringion's innocence, tia
even the President still associated with him
These direct attempts TO impede The prog
rsss OF Justice by one Who has sworn to faith
fully execute The law ARE highly criminal and
would warrant an indictment They are n
stigma of disgrace upon him who pprueirales
them. which no time should be allowed 10 oh.
hierate. They are an abuse OF power which
demands Impeachment. They are calculated
moral depravity. We do not DENY thai Gran,
has the right TO disgrace his own name, but
he goes beyond that aud brings reproach upon
eur national reputation by dIsgracing the
trusted him. Plis whole administration HIS
been one complete stain of iriamy upon our
land, and the early termination Of his power
will give universal satisfaction au1 pleasure.
The National Denlo,nIic Committee met at
Washington Gu Tuesday and selected Tues
day, the 9Th OF June rs The lime for holding
the Convention 10 nominate candidates for
President and Vice-P President The deleea
lions from St Lonis Chicago, Cincinnati aud
Louisville presented The claims OF each cit, a.
the locality Wink much earnestuess and NJ
Benz min Rush advocaicd Philadelphia
Pending bis proposition, the committee adj
jonrned 10 eseunr. Several bAi'ors were
take aud iiaala 81 Lsais fece.e,d n,aiori-
~ o. The ballots ,r3 The selection vas
approved ay urasl fncus vote
fhs Pa otm o. ~ sllaas e Puh'iran