The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-01-10
THE DEMOCRACY AND CRIME.

THE DEMOCRACY AND CRIME
Coupled with the fact that it was accepted
| as true by the Democ ratio leaders that Sena-
| tor Voorhees, was to leave his place in the
| United States Senate to appear for the defense
| in the taily-sheet forgery cases. the following
Enthusiastically disgraceful editorials from
the indianapolis Sentinel conclusively show
| that the Democratic party organization has
decided to place itself behind and around
the men indicted for that infamous crime.
We reprint these editorials that the people of
the State and country may see to what lengths
the Democratic party managers are willing to
go in the defense of the foulest crime against
the ballot ever committed in the State of In
diana. The venomous attacks upon honorable
citizens, and upon attorneys like Captain Rit-
ter. who has contributed able and faithful
service to the committee of one hundred,
composed equally of members of both political
parties, in their efforts to track down the
forgery and bring the criminals to justice,
serve only to emphasize the desperation of the
gang, and the dishonorable methods deemed
necessary to arouse partisan prejudice that
shall save them from merited punishment.
The two articles are from the Sentinel of FRI
day last:
Senator Voorhees,, by volunteering to
that indicted Democrats in Indiana have a
fair trial, is acting the part of patriotic cit
izen. 1t Is well understood throughout the
State of Indiana that Republican 200 legged
committee, whose executive head is the
most venomous partisan reptile that ever
crawled, has for months labored to
procure conviction of Democrats, re-
CARELESS of their guilt innocence. It is
we'll understood that as detestable a periured
villain as ever rolled up his sleeves and
worked for the Republican party is to be put
upon the stand to swear away the liberties of
Democrats 1t is known that money has been
raised by the two-hundredlegged Republican
committee to influence the trial of indicted
Democrats. In what way the money has been
used the indicted Democrats have right to
know, and the court should order the head and
tail, the fangs and rattles, of the committee
to answer. There can be no fair trial when
it is known that such damnable proceedings
have occurred. Senator Voorhees, will doubt
less see that the indicted men have fair
trial"
1.-The people are discussing the part the
Republican two hundred-legged committee is
playing in prosecuting indicted Democrats,
and the intention is, if possible, to bring old
Ritter, that sui generis critter, into court and
compel him to answer under oath how he has
secretly expended money that has been col
lected for the purpose of convicting indicted
Democrats He will be made to answer, if
possible, to whom he has paid money and
why he paid it. He will be required to state
if he has sought to debauch judge. jury,
witness, particularly the latter. It has been
stated that belief exists that money has
been paid to a witness upon whose testimony
great reliance is placed to convict the men
indicted. It is stated belief that money
from this secret fund has been paid for the
purpose of creating deep-seated prejudice
against Democrats, because it is observed
that while certain Republican sheets
lessly denounce Democrats, they silent
with regard to indictments against Repub-
licans for committing crimes quite fagi-
tious. Such things are well calculated to
create a profound impression that fair trial
for indicted Democrats is almost out of the
question, and can be secured only by ceaseless
vigilance The Sentinel demands for Repub-
licans and Democrats alike fair trial
anything else will bring courts into everlast-
ing contempt"
It would seem that the Democratic party of
Indiana had enough weights to carry
in the next campaign without thus shame
lessly adding to the burden. But the mana.
gers have deliberately determined to shoulder
the forgery gang and their crimes. Of course
not all Democrats can be dragooned into this
discreditable partnership with felony. There
are some--many--honora men who shrink
from the association, and ere long their voices
may be heard in protest. Thus far but
few, like William Henderson and Mr.. Con-
duitt have been courageous enough to let the
world know their adherence of such
crimes against a free ballot as that
committed last year in this city. but We know
of others who have privately expressed their
opinion, and these may conclude that the only
course for them now to spursue is to openly
join with their party friends in an honest
attempt to punish crime, and to save their
own party from the fate that the ringsters
and INSCRIPTIONS managers invite. What
man of ordinary sense believes that the Dem
ocratic party can command public confidence
when it openly carries the burden of the
tally sheet forgeries and the scoundrelism of
the Harrison Sullivan-Insane Asylum gang2
Present success may seem to lie in that way,
but it is short-sighted policy, and will end in
overwhelming shame and disaster
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