The intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1887-1891, 1890-03-29
TIE ARREST OF EX-TREAsURER
| holland.
From the st. Joseph Gazette. /


To comment, in any way, upon Incl
and arrest of Ex-Treasurer Noland ia
an ungrateful task. 1t is 30 easy to be
censorious, 30 easy TO cry out against
the erring. so easy to put on an air of
saintliness and assume the demeanor OF
ssnctification. Not man in the state
who knew Ed Nolsnd as the favorite of
a wide circle of personal and political
friends, heard of his fault without
genuine sorrow, and only ignoble souls
were elated by the sad recital.
The case is now In the hands OF JUS
tice and the law must take Its course.
A wife's heart may be broken, the
children OF the culprit may be disgrace
ed, but what of IL? Such is the fate of
the dear ones Of men overtaken In
deeds of awlessness. Friends will fall
away, some in shame, some in sorrow,
not few with never another thought
of him whose sun Ia set forever. Such
is the penalty incurred by men who
forget the path of honor, even the
humblest. Why should one escape, who
but q few short weeks ago, was tho
trusted servant OF great state2 Z
But who but q monster could con-
template such a wreck without psngt
In such an instance OF human weak
ness, In the cold visitation of society'ss
penalties which must follow, may be
found lesson which young men would
do well to ponder. Behold the work of
the gaming table! Witness how the
mad passion OF the gambler strapgled
the conscience of the mani Recall the
buoyant soul you knew in earlier dave,
then look upon the hopeless wreck 90
soon stranded In irretrievable ruini
And eucb cases are OF almost daily
occurrence. Noble. generous fellows,
who at first would suffer death from
starvation rather than commit delib-
crate larceny, allow themselves to drift,
inch by inch, Into q maelstrom which
before their very eyes has destroyed
men stronger aud wiser than them.
selves. such Is the case which for two
weeks has been the absorbing topic OF
discussion throughout the state, aud lot
US hope that the lesson il teaches will
not be lost upon our children.
AS Tar as Mr. Nolsnd is concerned ,it
seems but too plain that'he has violated
the law. He should suffer its penalties.
The sin land at his door was committed
wiliully, without an extenuating cir
cumstance. Had he stolen ham or
sack OF -four to appease the hunger of
his children, he would deserve more
sympathy than fairly belongs to the
gambler who steals that he may feed an
ignoble passion. The state cannot afford
to lay its hand less heavily upon the
trusted servant who violates the law,
than upon the shivering mendicant who
robs hen roost or pillsges q pantry
Ii the penalties of the law were only
made tor criminals of the baser sort.
who steal because hard pressed for
food or shelter, such cases as that of the
ex-treasurer might be condoned. But
such Ia not the law. To him much was
given, of him much was expected. In
the eyes of the law he is on trial for q
crime, and until his guilt or innocence
is proven he will be sure of protection
from the least oppression. Henceforth
TO the courts he must look, not for sym.
pathy. but for justice. The law is no
respecter OF persons. Let il take its
| cOurge.