The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1883-06-21
The acquittal Of the defendants in the

Inc acQulttal Vi tue ucieIualtS III lhe
Star Route cases is no surprise to the
country, though it affords the occasion
for the most intense disgust to all citizens
who appreciate or desire the integrity of
judicial proceedings in the United States.
That the defendants were guilty had full
ly impressed itself upon the public mind,
by the testimony IA taken in the trial
aud published in the press OF the coun-
try. On the first trial Of this case, the
Jury failed to agree, showing that there
was sufficient evidence to cause 4 doubt
upon their minds, and in the subsequent
trial, which has just ended, one of the
defendants turned States evidence and
testified positively and with circumstan-
tial demonstration Of the truth Of his
evidence. In addition 10 al this, the
testimony of ltcrcdell, the testimony
which hung the first jury, was also offered,
and there seemed to be no possible doubt
rs to the guilt of the defendants. The
government and the prisoners were ably
represented by counsel, and the trial has
been progressing for several months, at
great expense to the government. The
end is most shameful perversion Of
justice, and can only be explained by the
fact that it was necessary for the Repub.
lican party to secure the acquittal Of the
defendants. The public attention was
directed to the Star Route frauds, and in
response to demand for the punishment
Of Ge guilty, the administration institu-
ted the prosecutions with much pomp
and display. but very great care has been
taken to secure their acguitEal. Il is a
fair sample Of Republican aiministra'
tion of justice.
The Democratic party never had a
better prospect of success in q presiden'
tiaI election than it now has for 1854
But two difficulties at present appear
The first is the trouble that always at.
tends the selection of candidates, and
the reconciliation Of disappointed aspi
rants In New York John Kelly il
always al uncertain quantity, caring
more for his own power than for the sue
cess of any political party, and giving
his influence to whichever party promises
him the best reward In Indians
Messrs Mcdonald and Hendricks dc
not speak, and their friends have tnket
up their quarrel. In Pennsylvania Sen
ator Wallace and ex.Speaker Randall
are unfriendly, and minor difference
exist in various parts Of the Union
These differences between men, however
always exist, and are not more seriou
than are usually found in all politica
campaigns. They are not likely t.
count much in the coming canvass. Th
serious difficulty ia the case is the posi-
ton which the party ia to assume on til
tariff question. There Is no doubt tha
the mass Of the Democratic voters of tn
country are opposed to n protective tariff
and the party will lose much OF its pres
ent advantage by failing to adopt posi-
tive, clear and nnmistakable resolution
III IHFOr OF taTlH IOr REVENUE Only
The outrageous system of robbery of tn
many for the benefit Of the favored fc1
is becoming more and more obnoxious t
tie great mass OF the people, who ar
annually called upon to contribute mil
lions Of dollars TO enrich the alread.
opulent manufacturers of New England
If the party should fell to take clea
and explicit stand upon this issue, it vii
sacrifice the respect and confidence o
thousands Of its warmest adherents. Tn
Republican party Is the party of protec
ton, and it will poll the mass of tn
votes Of protectionists. The Democratic
party can only hold the antiprotectiol
vote by reiterating its opposition to pro
lection. 1t will not be enough, however
to declare for thrift for revenue only
The Democrats must nominate candi
dates who are and have been opposed t
the doctrines of protection. If th'
National Convention shall be fortunate
enough to secure good candidates upon {
tariff for revenue platform, it is almos
certain that the Democrats will contro
the next election, and by that meanl
rule the government for years to come.