New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-02-24
WHO ~ on TRTALf

Judge Porter in his closing argument for
Gen. BabcOck made some remarks on the
course of the newspapers which were Just, and
some which seem to Us, in the telcgraphlc
summary of his address, hasty and erroneous.
1t is unfortunately true that portion OF the
Democratic press has not only treated the de-
PENDANT from the beginning as ii his guilt al
united of no doubt, but have "maic covert
and cowardly insnuat;ons" that the Presl-
dent himself was plivy to the conspiracy.
Sucb however has by no means been the
conduct of any respectable newspaper when
we have happened to see /; and to intimate
that the press il now crying ont for convic-
ton in this case Just as, at the time OF the
impeaclnent trial, it insisted upon the con-
viction of Andrew johnson. is n very great
mistake.
II is still moro serious error to imagine
that any journals decent enough To be worth
answering have tried tn fasten part OF the guilt
of this conspiracy upon President Grant. Editors
have at least as keen sense OF the national
honor as other citizens and there is not an
honest man in the profession who would not
deeply gIieve to see the President OF the
United States besmirchcd with this dirty bust
ness. No partisan advantage would be worth
purchasing at the cost of disgrace to the
country. Indeed the clearness with which 1t
has been shown during this trial not only that
the President had no connection with thu
frauds Qor that we all knew at the start,
but that the agents of the Ring, whatever
they may have accomplished with other
officers, were never able to influence him per-
sonally, has been equally gratifying to his
political friends and his political adyersaries
The integrity of the President is matter
that affects the good name of the republic; 1t
is not for factions to fight over.
The conviction of Gen. Babcock would per-
haps be an injury TO the President politically,
because il would increase distrust of the clique
which seems to enjoy most of his confidence !;
but il would make no difference in the public
estimate of his personal character. 1t is a
strong proof of the general trust in his honesty
that he has kept such a good name in spite OF
the notorious rascalitics of his associates. He
has one friend in the penitentiary and score
If friends who ought to he there. He has
been surrounded by thieves ever since he has
been in Office. Think of the scandals of the
District Government Think Of the outrageous
Safe burglary Conspiracy. In these and many
other ins anccS Gen. Grant seems to have
been intimately associated, i'll friendly
way, with men whom almost every
body else knows to be corrupt, and
vet the finger of suspicion is not pointed at
him We lament his extraordinary blindness,
but the bitterest of his critics would be very
low to believe that the President of the
United State, is thief, and very 10th 10
admit such "A belief even if he enter
aimed it. Gen. Babcock unfortunately is
not protected by the panoply of office and
when he is seen measuring payements for
shepherd. revolving constantly IN the social
circle of which that prosperous plumber l. the
cffulgent center, and corresponding confden-
italy with the Whisky Ring. he can hardly
plead good character rs a shield against hostile
criticism. As Mr.. Dyer said yesterday. fabcock
must stand on his own merits and it l. per
fectly well understood that his fate. whatever
it may be, has no connection with the far
,ame OF the President.