Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1882-03-17
The Bayard. BabeOek Case.
or the REpIRIIuAu

MESSRS. EDITORS Il think { her,
has risen considerable misapprehensioI
both with reference to the statements
OF DIR. Babcock before the members OF
the Wilmington Conference AZ to Sena.
tor Bayard's attitude toward the local
option measure, then pending In the
Delaware Legislature AS we'll also with
reference to the Interruptions by certain
ministers at the time, | was an atten-
tive spectator throughout the entire
affair, and have been satisfied all the
time, that, instead Of say ing that Mr..
Bayard "sold himself out to the liquor
men," DR.. B4bcock merely said, and
said with considerable vehemence, that
1t had the appearance .. a "s3llng
OUT and when that statement fell
from his lips one of the staunchest lie.
pubiicans sitting near Rev. Mr.. Col
clazer, learing,over toward him, said
Lo that gentleman, "ask DR.. Babcock
his authority for that imputaJion
against the distinguished SENATOR"
whereupon Mr., Colclazer sprang to his
feet and pressed the inquiry. DR.. Bah
cock arose and replied that his author
ity was Senator Bayard's letter to u
member OF the legislature ~ that time,
in which he argued against the con
stitutionality Of local option, and at
the most opportune time to defeat the
measure. Now when we remember
that this let or was written at the in
stigation OF Mr.. John MANI of your
city, the head and front OF the Liquor
League, coupled with its date and mat
ter, there Is strong ground of suspicion
Ihat Mr.. Bayard was employed TO write
that letter, To say the least about it.
Ot course there is some difference be-
tween being employed by the liquor
men and SELLING out" to them, buv IN
either case 1t WAS for secular gain.
Then DR.. BabCock said his auth )rity
was pubic statements to The same
effect from the lips and pen of LOUIS
Schade, Esq, of Wasl ington City, the
attorney OF the liquor men. Thus, it
is seen, he had very rational authority
TOR his statement, and will not recoil
before the assaults Of tue rum interests,
even If many 80 called tenn erance All
vocates desert him IN this time when
sympathy and rugged defending would
prove so refreshing to this doughty ad-
vocate of truth and reform.
But the statements OF those minis.
ters who interrupted DR.. Babcock are
susceptible of heavy discounts. Save
in one instance there was more of de-
sire and attempt to get at the bottom
facts in the case against Mr. Bayard's
connection with this affair, than TO
shield him and drive Dr. Babcock to
the wall. | say here whereof know.
They clearly saw that Mr.. Bayard had
lent his influence to the liquor interests
Of the State and country, and believed
DR.. Babcock had the facts in the case
and wanted hin to out with them even
II the distinguished Senator might
suffer in his tar fame theretrom, aud
let me say here that it is my honest
conviction that not halt dozen men,
bers of the Wilmington Conference
could be found TO record vote to
vindicate the Senator's attitude. They
$50 where he stands aud are willing he
shall carry the intamy that attaches.
But | have seen nothing in the press
of DIR. CaldwelPs trenchant arraign-
ment OF the Senator in his great tenn
perance speech of last Saturday even
ing in ths Town Hall in MiddletoHn.
Those who neard his speech knew to
whom he referred, and what he meant.
We remember his biting sarcasm when
he poised the Senator's opinion or the
constitutionality of local option against
the contrary opinion of tho Chief JUS
tice Of the same State. And we remem-
Der how sharply he criticised the Sena.
tors entire course in the matter. And
be it remembered that DR.. Caldwell is
an eminent jurist. The sooner Sena-
tor Bayard and his friends drop tue
matter the better. G. W. b.