Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1877-09-07

Ut tJC PNf WV"sPi W WV NNNo -
three months, in adVance, NTH the
privilege of changing pOsto6fce.
THE LAST DEFENSE FOR BIG THIEVES.
The Radical papers are making a howl
that the Republicans in South Carolina
are to be prosecuted for their rascalities,
and charge that Wade Hampton is act
ing in bad faith in permitting the law to
take its course. They claim that the
withdrawal of troops and inauguration
of Hampton was done with at least an
implied understanding or bargain that
Republicans we're to be- let alone, no
matter what they had done. If Hamp-
ton had accepted the Office on such con
ditions it would have been an unwSrtby
and d~isgrace.ul act. President Hayes
withdrew the troops, first, because public
sentiment, North and South, ever in the
Republican party, demanded it, and, sec.
ondly, we hope and believe, because he
respected the constitution and knew that
every day the troops remained about a
State-house in the service Of a political
party tina. it was q gross abuse Of power
and an outrage on the rights of Ameri-
can freemen. We give President Hayes
the credit of q just and manly action.
When Wade Hampton assumed the
dulles Of governor he was u%ntrammeled
aud it became his duty to execute the
laws fairly and impartially, without re-
gard to politics, color or race. 1t be-
came the duty Of his officers to prosecute
all who had violated the law, frem the
colored hog thief up to those who stole
millions from the down-trodden people
and rioted in vulgar extravagance-the
cheap legislator who signed bis name
with a cross and could be bought with
ten dollars worth Of cheap dry goods
and q bottle Of mean whisky, as well
as the bold adventures who open
ly bought and sold Legislators by
the head like so many cattle. In
the progress CT Investigations neces-
sarily made by grand juries it has been
a~seertained that thousands, if not mill
lions, we're stolen annually by the lead
ing Republicans Ct the State. The
proof against them is as plain as their
own handwriting and sign manual can
make it. Are these to 90 UNPUBLISHED
because, ~iorsooth, Wade Hampton, the
duly elected governor Of the State, was
not illegally and forcibly disposaessed Of
his Office? Does a simple and unsyoid-
able act Of justice on the part Of the
chief executive eondone all the crimes
committed by Radical officials in South
Carolina aud louisiana We hope not.
and know that the American people
would never approve so infamous q bar
gain and intrigue. The Radical thieves,
the buibe giyers and bribe-takers Of
South Carolina stand before the
law just as Ordinary thieves.
Some have money and will depend upon
that to help them out. Others have
spent all they stole, and are hopeless and
helpless. Men who drove fast horses
kept fast women. gave champagne sup
pers and had royal bank accounts a few
months ago have been reduced to theil
normal poverty, and the sheriff carries
the key that shuts them in and out o.
sight from the world where they lordec
it over the people they had stolen from
1t is sad to see these great men com,
down to prison fare and clothes that (
tramp would disdsin; but a thief is {
thief and should be punished. regardless
Of his politics, color or previous eondi
ton. Let the law take its course, ant
prosecutions proceed against all who ar
liable to indictment. Wade Hampton !
too magnanimous to prosecute the rai
Gals unnecessarily, but it is his swor.
duty to enforce the laws, and he will d
it as he should.