The herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1835-1837, 1836-02-02
MEETING OF THE GRAND JURY.

yesterday Deng me opening day OF the ucneroi
Sessions the Grand Jury met usual, bat owing to
the severity Of the weather, other cause they
did not number quorum. To-day, il is Believed they
will muster force sufficient to begin business. =
II is seldom that the Grand Jury has met under cir
cumsances peculiar at the present session The
usual round of assaults, batteries petty thefs pier-
ings picking pockets, &c. has been thrown into the
back ground by certain unlawful acts which have been
pepeirated by persons moving apparently in respect
able society," and having the control of that mighty
CINE Of public opnion-the Public Press. Now, Of all
other persons in the community, the conductors Of the
Pres. ought exhibit conduct moderate calm, moral,
benevolent and honest in every relation of life. They
are the channels through which public opinion is ope-
rated upon They furnish the for the circula
ton Of yiruous and honorable principles tending the
benefit and advantage of society.
Ii is therefore, with feelings that aude
today certain conduct perpstated by the editors Of
the COURIER s. ENQUIRER, and the New YORK Sun,
which powerfully demand the nterposition of the legal
and criminal tribunals of society. Their offences
are well known to this community. The punishment
due 10 them conviction is laid down in the following
clauses extracted from the Revised Statutes Of the State
of New York.
Every person who shall challenge another to fight
such duel who shall send deliver any written or
verbal message, pupoung or intended to be such chal
lenge, who shall accept any such challenge
sage, who shall knowing carry deliver any such
challenge message, who shall be present ut the
time Of fighting any duel with deadly weapons, either
second, aid, or surgeon, who shall advise give
any countenance or assistance to such duel SHALL upon
conviction, be punished by Imprisonment in State
Prison, for a exceeding years.-Revised
Statutes Vol. Ill. TiIleV Article [. Section Ill.
fany person shall wiulIy open or read, or cause to
l. II - - -
without being authorised do, either by the writer
Of such letter. the person to whom il shall be adj
dressed, he SHALL upon conviction, be adudged guilty
of misdemeanor, and shall be punished by fine not
exceeding one hundred dollars or BY imprisonment not
exceeding month.
Whoever shall maliciously publish the whole or any
part Of such letter. without the authority of the
thereof Of the person to whom the shall be
addressed knowing the to have been 50 opened,
SHALL upon conviction, be adjudged guilty of a INSIDE
meanor and punished prescribed in the last section.
Revised Statutes Vol III. Title vi. Section XVII.
and XVIII.
On these clear and inisputaDle points Of law, the
course Of the Grand Jury is obvious the at
noon day. feeling of humanity towards the ndiyi-
duals implicated cannot fail to be awakened in every
generous mind. Such conduct has been recently
exhibited by the conductors of the Sun and Courier
disgrace to the press, and melancholy proof either
of deficiency ia their early moral culture, or a per-
fnaHcnt ofdiudfy warnings Will
reet-no ordinary means will eradicate. No doubt any
Grand Jury, composed of benevoen men, would like
eyade the unpleasant task pointed out to them by the
laws; but they duty to society-to themselves
to their frends-to their neghbors-to their own iam
les-nay, the sacred oath under which they act
that commands the natural suggestions of humanity to
be still, and bushes to the small still voice" of
human sympathy. If any mode could be devised to
the morals of Benjamin III. Day Of the Sum- and
James Watson Webb OF the Courier without imposing
the ignomnious penalties of the law, most cheeruy
should sanction and recommend its adoption. But
il so happensit has been permitted by the nscrutabe
DEGREES Of Providence that these individuals are the ac-
tua propretors Of and this CONTROL two daily
papers of extensive circulation and niuence-and if
such coaduct they have been guy of be permitted
go unwhpped of Justice then it is idle to COM
TO rail on yon simple thief" who, shysring in the
cold, is doomed to punishment without ihrob of emo
ton. Well does the mad old King Lear say
Through taitered clothes small vices do appear;
Robes and fuIred gowns hide all. Plate sin with ,old
And the strong lance of Justice hurtless breaks =
Arm II in rags,-a pigmys straw doth pierce H.
Take that OF me, my friend who have Tie power
IT, sca- the sccsseF's lips
NEws from various quarters were received yester-
day. We had first positive accounts that govern
nest had accepted the British Mediation and therefore
the French Question is settled Very good
From Mexico we learn that General Cos and the
Mexican forces were the from Texas. There
Who cares