The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-05-25
treatment of Republican witnesses.

IL Republican turns States evidence,
VI gives hurtful testimony OF any kind be-
ore the investigating committees, he is at
nce bounced upon by the organs of the
PARTY and prescribed by the Administra-
lion, no matter what his previous standing
nay have been.
None Of the conspiracies which have
been exposed and brought to grief could
nave been successfully attacked without
ME help OF some Of the confederates who
uded IN organizing or prohted by the
Rings. The convictions of the Wh<Rey
Ring conspirators at ST. Louis, Chicago,
md Milwaukee are entirely d,ie to this
plass of testimony, and the Government
has recovered millions of dollars which
would have been hopelessly lost without
II. SO, too. In regard to the safe burglary
1t Washington. While there was a moral
conviction In the public mind that BAB-
Dock was one of the chiefs of that diaboli-
nj plot, without tho testimony OF WHIT
LEY, NErTLEsHIP. KUNZ, and Others who
Voted under his instructions, no indictment
would have been found against him.
As soon as HARRISGroN was indicted by
the evidence OF these acoomplioes, he fed
the country, and thus furnished proof of
bis guilt by not daring to stand q trial.
BABcocK would probably have followed
In his footsteps, but for the fact that he
holds the most important secrets of GRANT
and his Administration. He knows they
must see him through this new ordeal for
heir own protection. After the dscredit-
Bble part played by the Attorney General
N BABcoCKs trial mt st. Louis, and with u
District Attorney like WELLS to prosecute,
who was appointed through the Washing
ton Ring, and right In the face OF a most
damning record in the hands of Mr.. PIERRE
PoNT the confidence OF BABooCK in being
able to thwart justice is not surprising.
Although WHITLEY and his Associates
had long held the most confidential rela-
tons TO the Administration, and were the
instruments through whom ex-Attorney-
General WILLIAMS fabricated the KuKlux
stories for political effect, they have been
denounced without stint for exposing
their employers by the very papers which
had held them up as examples OF patriot
Ism and honesty when these partisan SER
wees were rendered. The whole set may
be rascals; but the Administration which
put them in office kept them there against
remonstrance. and allowed them free en-
trance to the public Treasury, is not in po-
sition TO dispute the testimony OF it's former
favorites when corroborated by unQues-
tonable proof.
SEELyE aud FERGUSON, who have been
testifying to the villalnies of MoREY, the
oarpet-bagger from Boston, who pretends
~. ha III f,f tai-
ana, and also testifying to the frauds in
the New Orleans Custom IL ouse, have been
among the most active and violent of the
Republicans. SEELYE is now IN the Gus
tom House by CASEY Is recent appointment,
and therefore comes endorsed by that rec
ignition from GRANTS brother-in-law
OF course, they are bad men, for none
other would engage in the work for which
they were employed; but they are no
worse than the scoundrels who Matched the
ponspIracies TO disturb the peace of the
country, and who operated through them
10 steal the peoples money.
KELLOGG, SEELYE, CASEY, BILLINGS FER
aUsoN, WEST. and the rest of this crew, all
belong TO the same school OF politics
There is no moral difference between
Them. The distinction which alone sepa
rates them is the grade of office they re
Ipectively hold. In other regards they
stand on dead level Some are more oil
less desperate and daring than others. Fo
Instance, at the tirst sign OF battle in the
hast rising of the people, KELLOGG fed tC
the Custom House for refuge, and neve
emerged from his bomb-proof until all the
hghtIug was over.
If the coufederates OF the Rr chiefs ar
II last disposed TO seek mercy by telling
The truth, and by revealing the mysteries
n the corruption in which they shared
The law accepts their testimony, but re
auires 1t to be sustained. in justice to tn
accused parties. This rule has been oh
served by the various committees Of thu
House, who are now investigating tn
conduct of the Administration and OF il
chief supporters, and it will doubtless b.
continued to the end.
From Chicaan IN the Eaa hoard