New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-05-23
C1N,T TAKE 4 JOHF.

There is great dissatisfaction among Demo-
Gratis mt the abrupt and unexpected behavior
of Secretary Sherman in relation to the Pot
ter investigation. Nothing of this kind was
dreamed of when the movement began.
The Administration of President hayes
had so commended itself to Democratic
favor by the assduity with which 1t
cultivated friendly relations with that
party, and had shown such meekness
and forbearance and readiness to return good
for evil when Democrats kicked and cuiled II,
that it was not believed possible that any
member of the Cabinet could object, and least
of all so strenuously as the Secretary OF the
Treasury has, to being called IN adviser, pro-
motcr and pcipetrator of fraud. They are sur
priscd that he should "get mad Mt a little
thing ike that" They had observed with
satisfaction and pride that the Administration
made it its chief glory to carry ont
a reform the cardinal principle OF which was
70 avoid the appearance OF being influenced
by It's friends, and not to be deferred from
heaping frvors upon its opponents by the
latteT's insults and abuse. 80 they enjoyed
the friendship of the Administration they
abused Mr. Samuel Cox illustrated tic stu
alton very clcvcTly in the letter which he wrote
President Hayes, asking an Office for
friend from a man whom he did not
scruplc to denOuncc as fraud ana a
usurpcr. They had become thoroughly I'M
pressed with the idea that the individual
members Of the Administration took no Of
fence at being charged with bribery and cor
uIDtion, but on the whole rather enjoyed 1t.
So when Mr.. Potter drew mp his resolution
on the subject of fraud, just to round OFF the
periods aud give the matter spice OF person.
alty, he pnt in the statement that Secretary
Sherman had been guilty of few offences,
such as bribery, perjury, subornation OF per-
jury, conspiracy, etc, probably not dreaming
for an instant that any offence would he taken
1t was undoubtedly supposed that the Sccrc-
tary would read these charges with sn'llc and
make no answer until the committee should
summon him before them, when he would SIT
in a char and fold his hands, and either sub
NIT to q searching crOss-examinatOn or refuse
to testify on the ground that he could not be
compelled to crimInate himself. Least OF all
did Mr. Potter or any of his friends suppose
the Secretary would resent anything contained
in the resolution.
But did any one ever observe the look of
pained surprise that comes over the face OF a
nice Young man who walks confidently and
deliberately up to an old hat on the sidewalk
that has the appearance of having been kicked
by everybody, and lets drive free foot at it,
only 10 discover that there's large paving
stone inside of it7 1t Is look of astOnIshment
not unmingled with dissatisfaction. There is
something in the Potter resolution that reminds
one of the large and confident sort OF plle-drlyer
swing of a No. - boot over diapidated hat,
and there's something in the suddenness and
the thud of Secretary Sherman's letter that Mt
once suggests to a rejecting mind the paving
stone. The Secretary turns out to be totally
unable to take joke He apparently does not
like being charged with conspiracy, bribery,
periury and suboTnatiOn Of perjury. What Is
more, he does not like to be so charged
by such men. He not only resents, but he
retorts. Instead of intrenchIng and acting on
the defensive, he whips ont his sword and
makes dash upon his assailants. He acts very
much as though he were in earnest about it.
When these people say explicitly that he was
engaged in a conspiracy with the supervisors
of registration in East and West Felciana to
defeat an honest election, he does not sit down
ouietly, as his accusers think he should,
and content himself with saying: Gen
"tlemen, | think you are mistaken y;
but with something of what is called in
robust circles the "damyerize" style, he rises
I'D and says, in effect, 'NOt only are the
Charges false, but the men who make them
! "know them to be false. offer to prove to
"you not only that you Democrats were not
"defrauded or cheated i'll any way in the
"Touisiana election, but that your party I'M
"dertook TO defeat an honest election in that
State By violence and intimidation so revolt
"ing AS to excite the common indignation
"of all who became convcrsant with it.n
This is a rafting plea OF "not guilty" to an
indictment for fraud. The country may well
turn from this distinguished statesman to the
dumfoundcred party which the accidents of
nolihcs have clothed with power TO arraign
him. and ask "Who's on trial here ~ 1t is as
if tbe.defender of virtue, falsely arraigned. had
hurled hack the prosecutors charge and offered
nroor that his sole offence consisted in rescuing
from outrage the quarry OF his lustful accuser.
Obviously, the Secretary is angry. 1t isn't a
good plan TO get angry, but if there was ever
n time when it was pardOnable or prov0ca-
ton that justified it, this is the time and he
had the provOcatiOn.
| And as to the fine collection of patriots at
Washington and elsewhere who toss about SO
freely these charges of criminal misconduct and
enjoy it as the 'longshoremen do their horse
play, without dreaming that any one can take
offence at it, they will do well to profit by
this bit of warning and go a little slow here
after. Kicking is well enough in its way-0
refreshing and celebrating exercise-but you
can't be too careful whom to kick. Some
years ago, as Mississippi River steamboat
came I'D to q river landing, a tall, I'M
calmly, gawkish looking fellow, leaning