Evening journal., 1898-02-21

his crimes and the Democracy Of Della
ware Even II it can be proved beyond
doubt that the men accused did the
things with which they are charged,
the Democratic party cannot be held
accountable in any sense for the acts of
its individual members which it nei-
ther advised nor countenanced, and
which we're not done in its behalf by
any Of its delegated representatives.
It is not part of the Democratic doc
trine or teaching 10 inspire men to
rob bank. It is not the part of the
Democratic party to act as sponsor for
those who do such thing. Hence, if
the Addicksites think that any action
upon the part OF any jury called to-
gether in this case can, in the remotest
sense, affect the party organization to
its detriment, they are sadly mistaken.
The whole political significance and
connection comes from the Addicks
side. But for Addicksism, with it's cor
rupting influences, with its stock spec
ulations and with its other allure
ments, William n Boggs would be to-
day standing behind the counter in the
First National Bank OF Dover, possess
ing the homer and respect Of his fell
low-citlzens, instead of waiting be-
bind prison bars for the time to ar
rive when he shall be taken before
Federal tribunal TO acknowledge, in
formal manner, that he stole thou
sands of dollars which had been en-
trusted to him for safe-keeping by the
friends OF a lifetime, and that, 10 es-
cape part Of the penalty for his crime,
he is willing to drag down others with
him into the slough Of despond and
disgrace.
He is an Addicksite. The men whom
he accuses are Democrats. He is being
backed by the Addicksites in his en-
deavors to blacken the character OF
these Democrats. The Democracy Of
Delaware does not have to stand as the
apologists of men who aid and abet the
looting OF national bank. Therefore
1t is perfectly willing to let it's indi-
vidual members accused of this crime
against the national statutes defend
themselves upon their own individual
responsibility, feeling assured that no
twelve jurors drawn to try them will
fail to consider that their accuser is a
man who has wilfully and shamelessly
betrayed his personal friends, and that
1t would be an easy task for him to go
step farther when 1t comes to the
political enemies OF his former party
associates.
In this affair United States District
Attorney Lewis c. Vandegrift occupies
a most undesirable position. He, a
Democrat of Democrats, is called upon
to prosecute Democrats whom he has
known personally, ana, in some in
stances, intimately, for a long period
of years. But official duties sweep
away all such natural and artificial
barriers. The charges have been
brought, and it is his duty to prosecute.
Were he to do otherwise the cases
would be given a political character 70
which they are in no sense entitled.
All who know him will concede that he
will not permit his personal sympa-
thies to swerve him from his official
duties They would respect him less
If he did. II is his misfortune to be
placed in such an unpleasant position
but it reflects honor upon him that he
proposes to go into the matter fully,
and to clear the atmosphere Of rumors
and statements which taint wherever
they permeate.
Honest men have no favors TO ask
from a public prosecutor. 1t is only
the rogue who would have him violate
his oath and cloud his good name by
extending favor where none is due.
If the men accused Of this grave
crime are guiltless-and they are GER
tainly entitled to the full benefit of
the doubt of guilt-they can safely
leave their cases with the court and
the jury That is what they will do,
relying upon tho judgment, wisdom
and fairness Of twelve of their fellow
citizens. It is a fair test, and, with
their accuser a seh-confessed felon
they should be only too glad to have II
applied as soon as possible, for in nC
other manner can they obtain that vim.
dication which, to them and Their
friends, is so desirable.