Los Angeles herald., 1891-12-16
A SUDDEN CHANGE OF MIND-REFLgC
TIOES.

SUDDEN CHANGE OF MIND-REFLEC-
TIONS.
It seems to be an undoubted fact that
Mr.. Christopher A. Buckley has profted
by all that the genial climate of Mon
treal could do for his ailments for the
time being. We suspect that, until the
decision OF the supreme court OF Cali
forna came to give him surcease of his
anxieties, he was in that despairing con-
dition which the poet has put into the
mouth OF one of his agonized characters,
and which found expression in the
poignant inquiry, "Canst thou minister
to mind diseased" The supreme
court OF this state seems to have this
faculty to a certain degree. Buckley.
suffering under most distressful visit
ings of conscience, which doubtless his
lack OF sight intensified, has endured
great travail since the celebrated
'elisor" episode in the superior court of
San Francisco. The supreme court OF
this state has given him temporary re-
lief.
Buckley's flight was unquestionably
result of the attempt to get get an ener-
getic grand jury in San Francisco
through the unusual agency employed
by Judge Wallace. There was probably,
in the minds of most lawyers, grave
suspicion that the remedial process was
out of the common, or to employ q min
strel phrase, it was not the "proper
caper." All that could have made it
effective would have been practical
unanimity OF public sentiment. Ii at
the meeting called to sustain this action
OF Judge Wallace the names printed in
the call had been represented on the
platform there would have been genu
inc new departure in California politics.
Unfortunately, most of the citizens emf
nent for their respectability and ali
kinds OF merit, failed to material
ize. The speech making was con-
fined to the Hon. Charles Sumner,
Mr.. Ben w. Morgan, Mr.. Barry,
and few other gentlemen who are
principally noted for extreme views on
the current questions OF the day. From
that moment paralysis rested on the
whole movement, which deprived it OF |
its proper breadth and efficacy. The |
decision OF the supreme court, which |
declares the grand jury illegal. may not
have resulted from this abstention OF /
leading citizens from that noted meet
ing, but their absence certainly had
some Influence in shaping public
opinion both on and off the bench.
If Christopher A. Buckley returns t o
San Francisco, his flight to such an ir-
clement region as Montreal for the win
ter months will be a plain confession
which was actuated by an unmistakable
purpose to probe wrongdoing to the
core. His temperance in his old
haunts will be plain proclamation that
he fed to avoid disgrace and punish
ment.
There have been times in the history
of San Francisco in which Buckley
would not have dared TO face an out
ragged public sentiment. He would as
soon have thrust his head into the lions
Jaws as to have ventured back to the
scene OF his peculiar and ineXplicable
power, and to theater Of political
crimes OF whose enormity every news
COY in the Golden Gate was familiar. {
He probably understands the city which {
ne ruled SO long. But he should re-
member that Bill Tweed made the mis-
AXE of his life when, after having come
,ut to the Pacific coast, he returned to
he city Of New York to stand his trial, '
o be convicted, to escape, tn be re- s
spturel aud to die in prison in a felons !
,arb. q
But.whether Buckley returns to San c
Francisco or no, Dem )crats should /
understand that his career rs a spurious
Democratic politician and real
republican stoolpigeon is ended for ].
yer. His betrayal of Pond shuts him "
ut from any possibility OF identity o
,itn the Democratic party. Ii he Il
hould attempt to re.enter public life Il
e should be forced to take his place IL
here he belongs, in the Republican C.
anks. d
Inc present. 2fanu jury may be de- te
Jared illegal. 1t may for the sake Of al
rgument, be admitted to he illegal. V
ut it represented an aspiration OF the ii
verage citizen for honest politics and W
ignity and integrity in the admins "
.ation of the affairs OF the city and a
,unty OF San Francisco The opening fs
lirmish may have been lost, but the n
reat battle remains to be fought. G.