The Red Cloud chief., 1884-05-02
Bold Presumption.

The corntrv is stunned. The a-naze
ment At the snectacle presented bv the
action ot Congress in the Fitz John Po~
ter ease mas left few words ~ command.
The spectacle Of rewarding a man for
official misconduct is L striking one.
The promise of securing by the ballot
what could not be 20 ned by the bullet
begins 10 be realized by the late Con-
federates. The man VINO could permit
his personal je IlousieS TO ~jeopardize ths
perpetuity OF the Government Is made
a public beneficiary. The enemies OF
the Government. whose participation in
public affairs is a matte, of grace. have
had the unblushing audacity To SIT IN
review upon the judicial proceedings IN
NJ lirary discipline OF faithless servants OF
h mon EX-Confederates have been
allowed TO revoke the action of 4 Un'On
court-martial. Could improperly be
more clarin-? Could assumption be-
more audacious? Are the people pre-
pared TO accept the results which nat
uraily flow from such a precedent?
What right had men who were engaged
in the rebellion to have any voice in re-
viewing the disciplinary proceeding
a"ainSt an officer in the Union Service2
Why should the country accept the YER
diet rendered on the Fitz John Porter
case. participated In by men who We're
aided in their efforts To- overthrow the
Union by the misconduct for which he
was condemned, in preference To the
verdict Of the !amented Lincoln and the
patriots whose heavy hearts and burst
ing bra rs We're driven 20 the brink of
despair by the consequences OF his will
full diSohcdience?
Had there Dpen one spark OF shame
left in the breasts of these men they
never could have used the votes N Con
grcsS given them by the grace of a peo-
pie far toe. lenient for their W good,
TO o e-rule the official act on of the Por-
ter court-mar;ial. They never could
have stood in their places in Congress
bat for the c ndoninC action of the Gov
eminent they attempted to destroy. and
raise their voices in securing immunity
for the secret enemies Of the Republic
Logan was right. HIS burning words
should be scared into every patriotic
heart. His %eloGuence was never more
powerfully or appropriately used. No
wonder the Democratic press. which OPP
posed the Union during the war. write
in torture under its scath;nc sentences.
Let the people read them. Let them
study them well The picture of par
doned criminals reversing the judg-
ments of the courts on their accessory!
What words can paint the mOnstrOsi;y??
Ii is the picture Congress has given 10
the world in this action. Is there any
length to which such men will not 20?
Ali that is wanted is the power, and this
threat OF Blackburn that every vestigo
of war leSislat on snail be swept from
the statute books Will ne realized. Little
by little il is beng accomplished. Step
by step the work of the war Is being
undone. Was it for this that the
try consented TO wipe the blood from
the hand, Of parric dies and traitors?
Was it for this that the stains OF treason
were craciously pardoned' Shall the
pardoned traitors now seize the power
20 pardon all their coad utorS without
so much - bv Your leave? What is to
hinder more sweeping and more hate
iul measures? Plainly nothing q I'M
der it but the voice of the people o n
demning this bold assumption of UNI
warranted privilege. and there should
be no uncertain sound III it, tone.-Bur-
| iin9tOH HdWtegc.