The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1888-04-19
THURSDAY, April 10, 1888.
SHAME ON 1T.

We are surprised and panied at the
course the Nezos- O6stJuc,, the repre-
sentative paper at the capital, is pur-
suing with regard to the State National
Bank wreckers and robbers, Cross and
White. When there seemed to be no
prospect of their being apprchended
and brought to justice, that paper was
loud in its condemnation Of their acts,
but as soon as they are brought back
TO Raleigh to be tried for their high
crimes, it seems to regard it as its spe-
cial mission to manufacture sentiment
in their behalf. Can the NfzOs- o.
serqcr afford to do this, when the rep
utation of the State and the public
welfare are at stake ? There is great
deal more involved in this matter than
the friends and sympathizers of Cross
and White seem to imagine and little
does it become our State paper 1--WE SO
accredit the Ne705- Observer by virtue
of the fact that it is the leading paper
published at the capitaD to attempt to
derlde and ridiCule the Solicitor with
in whose jurisdiction these men must
come to trial for declaring his inten-
ton to do his duty in the premises,
to maintain the fair name of the great
State of North Carolina, to uphold the
majesty Of the law, and to punish crimi-
nails as in such cases made and pro-
vided by the statute, when it makes
this fling at that official in its issue of
last Sunday. 1t says:
Well-now, we have heard from Mr.
Argo, who has touched off his Colum-
bad. What next? The people are
very much interested in this subject.
Yes, "the people are very much inter
ested in this subject to the extent
of seeing these men prosecuted and
punished as they deserve to be. The
GOLD LEAF does not assume to dictate
TO any leader or organ OF the people
or the party, but it thinks such conduct
on the part of the Nrz0s- Observer i'll
becoming that paper, if not absolutely
hurtful to the State and its govern
ment. Let us aid in the proper execu
tion of the law, rather than attempt tC
ridicule and cripple the power of an
officer in the discharge OF his sworn
and lawful duties.
AS the Charlotte Chronicle peril.
nently remarks:
The accusation on which the off.
Gals (Cross and White are held bound
for trial is grave one. The State has
deep interest in it. No people can
allow crime SO high as that charged
to go UNPUBLISHED. The banks where
the earnings of frugal, industrious
self-denying men and women, both oil
the rich and poorer classes, deposit
their earnings for their children, and
their own support in old age, must be
protected so far as carefully worded
and thoroughly enforced statutes can
protect them from depredations. The
success of commerce depends to a
vital degree not only upon the intrin-
sic safety of deposits in these ins;itu-
tions, but also upon the confidence the
people have in the soundness of the
financial standing Of these institutions.
They are as SO many hearts of COM
merce. When they come to be re-
garded with feelings of diStrust the
whole body polite suffers as a conse-
quence. The violations Of law by
bank officials SO high in rank as Pres
idents and Cashiers, who from the
character of the functions their Offices
devolve, are naturally regarded more
heinous. These high functionaries
must be trusted to larger extent than
any others of the officials of these in
stitutions, and they are therefore more
sacredly obligated in the opinion Of
the public. For this reason the public
naturally feels that defalcations and
other unwarranted acts committed by
them are very grave crimes.