Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1877-07-06
For the Free Press AM Time.
Is IL Trues
BY o. G. W.

"And to such crowd. the shameless man
who stands first on the list of political cor
ruptionists, who spent five millions Of stolen
money, in an attempt to buy himself into
the Presidency, spoke gravely of the terrible
frauds that had kept him out of the Presi-
dency "-Nac York Letter.
of course, if the above extract is true, the
case referred to is another instance Of "Satsn
rcbuking sin" Sin is sin, whoever exposes
or rebukes it. If Tilden and Hendricks had
any right to arraign the Republican party
for the result Of the last election. whatever
may have been their own crimes, the charge
is worthy of the Nations attention. Of
course, it argues considerable audacity for
the pot to call the kettle hard names, when
both are black
do not know who ALTON" is. | am
always greatly interested in his letters, and
cannot refrain from asking, whether in the
charge he brings against Mr.. Tilden he is
supported by facts, and taofs capable Of proof,
or is he only repeating and retailing the
slanderous imputations of the last campaign?
Did Mr. Tilden use five million ,lstolen
money" to procure his own election he
"frsf on the list of political corruption
ists"? Has Alton actual knowledge Of
what he AYERS, or does he merely state his
belief?
know it is the fashion of the times to Ie-
gard crime as less and less culpable, in
proportion to its enormity.
To steal sheep would inevitably consign
a man to the penitentiary. To steal mil
lion exposes him to some trfiing ncon-
yeniences.
To steal and use feloniously fire millions
almost puts a man into the Presidency. Bat
in this instance, is it true? Did Mr. Tilden
steal FIVE millions Has he been a corrupt
man Are the charges ot"Alton" susceptible
of proof? If not, if he only takes the words
from the shameless lips of Mpdame Rumor,
and fashions them into an accusation so ter
rible, he most certainly deserves severe re-
buke. 1t shocks the feeling Of men who
mean to be Just, to deal fairly by friends and
foes, to have our public men impaled upon
the too often remorsel5ss pen that furnishes
matter for the Press. should regard my
self As one Of the greatest of criminals,
if | should, without absolute certain
ty Of the truth, charge my lowliest
neighbors with heinous crime nor
should | regard my own criminalitv as at all
diminished by the exalted position, in the
public mind, of the object of nv assault
The newspaper has no right to state the re-
putation OF any man, nor allow itself to be
the medium through which private or poll
tical malice should vent itself upon the de-
ienceless. | say dJeHceiess for, practically,
public man cannot afford to attempt the
correction Of every slanderous report, nor
bring the reporter to justice for his crime.
The reporter enjoys, on this account, a
sort OF immunity, which should lead him, if
hOnorably inclined, to hesitate be fore he at
lacks a man, who, he very well knows, will
make no effort to defend himself
If Alton knows whereof he affrms, if
he has evidence more satisfactory than the
doubtful assertions of political partisans, let
him bring them forth and Justify his charges
| confess to an inyOlutary sympathy for a
man, with such terrible stigmas cast upon
him. If what is affirmed is true, We, the
people, ought to know it, because Mr. Tilden
has allowed himself to occupy position 50
liable to criticism. IL NOT true, the charges
ought not to be made, ought to be retracted,
unless the proof, enough Of it, is offered to
Sulistantiate them
As Republicans, let US keep our skirts
pure from ISLANDERS. The truth Is enough
ALTON, We can assure 80. C., W" Is
in position to be tolcrably well informed
and We believe him to he candid and truthful
lie probably has not had access to Mr. I'll
den'S check-book, and perhaps in such mat
tiers - compelled to depend on imperfect
sources Of information But we are entirely
Of the opinion that the truth about Mr. Til
den is enough, and more than he can stand
-Ep f T.