, 1878-08-24


vouches for. He admits certain irregularities.
aud puts in the baby plea of youthful indis-
cretions.' This might cover the charge OF de-
tertion; but when IL comes to the robbery OF
the printing fund. at time when etruve was
over forty years Of age, the bsby-plea will not
avail.-(Newell.
Like his ancient prototype
whose perfect image he his, NOR
ally and physically-our modern
Fallstaff belle yes that virtue has
fed the earth, leaving behind
only modicum which is entire
ly hid from public observation
in his own obesity; and nothing
so arouses his virtuous wrath
and gritves his pious soul as that
any other person should enjoy a
reputation for honesty and VIZ
tue, all of which he regards as
a hypocritical and false pretence,
personally insulting to himself.
In the matter under cons,dera-
ton it goes for nothing with him
in disproving his theory that
the object of his vituperation
has had his character submitted
to the test of more than twenty
years of personal intercourse
with the people among whom he
at present resides; that during
that time he has been honered
with trusts, public and private, of
high distinction and of the most
confidential character, and in NO
instance has he been convicted
of betrayal of trust. Hun
dreds of thousands of dollars
belonging to the Government
and to his clients, have passed
through his hands, no dollar of
which has ever been wrongly
applied, and to-day he represents
in the Courts as large interests
as any member of the bar in this
Territory. He deserted from
the army! that is true. 1t was
the act of a boy, a foreigner
and stranger in the country; not
a youthful indiscretion, but an
assertion and vIndication of man
hood against an attempt to re-
duce him to menial service after
he had enlisted as soldier, for
which neither he nor his friends
have ever offered any baby plea
or apology. When the circum-
stances under which he took the
risk Of condign punishment to
regain his liberty, like a fugitive
from slavery, became known, no
officer of the army blamed him,
and no gentleman of any rank
attached any obloquy to the act.
He was not even offered the in
dignity of a pardon, but by mil
itary order his discharge from
the army bore even date with
the alleged desertion, with no
political disabilities attached.
The charge of "robbery of the
printing fund, was fully invest
igated and brought no, shame
upon any but its authors. Mr..
Struve was completely exonera-
ted and the L. S. Attorney thro'
whom the charge was made,
was severely rebuked by his
superior for arraigning a public
officer on such flimsy and mani
festly malicious testimony.
Before giving credence to de-
famation of personal character,
it is proper to consider the mo-
tive and the source. When it is
aimed at a citizen, occupying no
official position-as is the case
with Mr.. Struve-there is no
patriotic consideration to Justify
it; it Is purely personal and ma
licious, and falsehood is invaria
bly, the ally of personal malice.
The charges against Mr.. Struve
are not called for by any public
in. n.erest or sustained by facts af-
fecting his public or private char.
acter; they are instigated by
personal malice and perpetuated
by falsehood; both emenations
from the Father o. Lies.