New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-07-28


We are not disposed to be hard upon the biblio-
maniac who, finding it impossible to purchase a
very rare book is reduced to the mournfu necessity
of stealing it. Such larceny is doubtless entitled
to the pitiful consideration of mankind, even if q
strict regard for the law of mean and fuum refuses
to pronounce il meritorious. But man who steals
scarce books simply that he may sell them for a
price, and put the proceeds in his pocket is guilty
OF % felony totally void of extenuating crcum-
stances. 1t does not better matters should he be a
minister of the Gospel, like the Rev. w. +. Whit
cher, OF Providence. Clergymen get sometimes into
queer scrapcs, but his Is of the QueeIest The Rev.
Mr Whitcher has been pfering books from
libraries and sending them to the auction rooms 10
sell. From the library of Brown University he
carried of the Key to the Indian Language by
Roger Williams. first edition, 1643, which he had
rebound and otherwise disguised. The Key which
is so excessively rare that single copy is worth
800. was found in the clergyman's house together
with number of volumes flcbed from the Athe-
nieum Library in Providence. Mr.. Whitcher was
in the habit of consigning books to q Boston auc-
toneer, and he occasionally made raids upon Boston
book shops; and this led to suspicion and his sub
sequent detection in Providence There is another
suspicion that no carried of valuable PAPERS and
particularly autographs of Roger Williams. from
the Providence city offices. Mr.. Whitcher called
the Board of his church together last evening con-
fessed his sin, expressed his penitence, and an
nonnced his intention to withdraw from the
ministry and the church. This complete
downfall of a preacher who is said to have
great ZEAL eloquence aud ability tragical in spite
of-and because of-the petty meanness of the Of
fence and il is impossible not TO feel pity for q
man of parts and no doubt of good record who has
utterly thrown himself away
The general acceptance by Democrats as we'll as
Republicans of the result of the last Presidential
election, and the quiet and peaceabe inauguration
of President Garfield that followed have perhaps
led us to forget that there was at least one Demo-
cratic newspaper in the country which did all IL
could ut that time to induce the Democrats in Con-
gross to make factious opposition to the acceptance
of tho vote OF New-York upon some trivial techni-
cality, aud so to disturb the public peace II was
fortunately alone in its desire to make that particu
lar kind OF mischief, and its lonesomeness was 80
ridiculous that it abandoned its enterprise.
No one who remembers the circumstance will he
surprised to learn that the newspaper is inst
now circulating the suggestion that some pretext
may be found by the Democrats in the United
States Senate to refuse Messrs Lapham and Muller
their seats, in which case the Democrats, if they
60 to work unitediy and carry tho Legislature in
November, can secure two Senators in their places
Fortunately the party is not in the habit of follow
ing the counsel Of the journal referred to. If it
were it would DO guilty Of even moro mischief and
folly than ever.
Has General Grant sent his condolences 10 NJ