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Friends of Jim Black who are appealing for his early release from federal prison may be acting out of compassion. They see an elderly man who's already been punished for his crimes and now should be allowed to go home and tend to his ailing wife.

What they may fail to see is the irony of their intervention on his behalf.

Black, a former speaker of the N.C. House of Representatives, was one of the state's most powerful politicians for many years. Unfortunately, he used that position to gain favors for himself and to create advantages for other legislators and the Democratic Party. The associates who shared the benefits of his million-dollar political machine overlooked the corrupt practices that kept it running, even the sudden party shift by Republican Rep. Michael Decker in 2003 that returned Black to power and altered the outcome of the 2002 legislative elections. It later came out that Black paid Decker $50,000 to become a Democrat and support him for speaker.

Now, with so many prominent people joining the call for Black's release, it appears there's still a general reluctance to recognize the scope of his wrongdoing, as if the political establishment just wants to forgive and forget.

Black caused too much damage for that. He contributed to a culture where campaign contributions bought influence, where public resources could be used to reward special interests that helped elect the right politicians. Black acted as if he thought any means to keep himself and his party on top could be justified, that even betraying the public trust was within his right.

Fortunately, independent watchdogs and the U.S. attorney's office put a stop to his illicit activities. He pleaded guilty to corruption charges and received a well-earned term of five years in prison. He's served two and should not be granted any greater leniency than someone else might be afforded.

The illness of Black's wife is unfortunate, and perhaps his transfer to a prison closer to home than his current location in Pennsylvania should be arranged. But other inmates also have family troubles and can't use them to shorten their sentences.

Black does not deserve special treatment, and he certainly should not have more favors to call in. Those days are over for him.

This isn't about making Black suffer. He should be allowed visits, telephone calls and other appropriate means of communicating with his family. He should receive good care for his own medical needs.

But his incarceration warns other politicians -- and there are those who need the warning -- that public service doesn't mean self-service. Those who are called to make our laws can't break our laws and get away with it. They can't set themselves above the law. And, if they are caught and prosecuted, they can't escape the punishment due by appealing for compassion.

Justice is not cruel. It is the code by which honest people must govern themselves.