New-York tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1841-1842, 1841-07-30
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NEw-YoRk. FRIDAY MORNING, JULY ao.


NEw-YoRK. FRIDAY MORNING, JULY 30.
s.ycrrY OF THE LAw-The heart of every right-mnded
man must rcmble with apprehension the fearful ourages
no Law Justice and Public Order which bursting forth
nj intervals in various of the Country They evince
feeling the public mind which unless corrected must lend
10 the most terrible results The boodest which have
nncd page of history and rendered the in them
u.,nously immortal have had their this spirit
INSTRUMENTATION and ofdisregard for the solemn acquisitions
Of the acknowledged and sanctioned Law of the land The
latest Instance which has notice of these fearful
outbreaks passion by far the dreadful and of tbs
do,.t porten Two men named Maythe and Couch in
cuntv Jail of Kentucky awaiting their trial for robbery
rurt in the meantime their victim and it is evil
dent that no murder at least has been committed. Still
they avail, the decision OF Justice. But large body o
citizens that vicinity deem the punishment they likely
TO receive for the specific crime they have committed not
equal to their deserts for intended vlanes they there
fore resolve take these from the hands of Law and
inlet upon them such punishment, they think they may de-
serve Several hundred accordingly assemble burst open
The prison DOORS closed by the of the Law, drag forth
their wretccd victims and amid forms and observanceS
which can only be regarded the open and basphc
nous moekercs of Law and religion hang them until they
nothing sndden nothing violent nothing done without fore
thought whole has been long and carefully premcdtaed
and the deed with GOODNESS and precision
unparalleled in the history OF crime
Now if this be not wul deliberate Murder, if those who
shared principals the transaction ought be tried
and hung murdercrs would ask the object of having
any all. The purpose of Law is protect all the
member of Society from violence and wrong. The basesr
and most despsed we'll the highest and honored
members of the community may claim protection from its
sanction 1t regards the person OF its sole object
realize and make practically efficient Society the prnci
pies OF Justice shield every human being who be-
meath its sway from any violation of his rights, whether by
one or thousand those BY whom he is surrounded This
immunity guarantees to every and in return 1t
from him that obedience which, for his safety, it imposes
upon Others IT. claims enforced by the whole power
Of Society; all men leagued together and pledged
each other and that God in whose bosom all Law dwes
TO see that its sanctions maintained nvoatc and OPP
nose their whole might who would invade lis
AIRY and despo it of its divinity If then the in this
dread tragedy be held strictly accountable to that Law
which declares the life of man be sacred and promises
guard il with the closest ard with all its power 1t will be
because those to whose hands ntrustcd the ADMINISTRATION
Of Justice provo ccean, their high and abandon the
l
to say such transactions that the actors merely
took the law into their hands and that il justice be adj
minsered little by whose agency is done But
this is u false and dangerous doctrine 1t should ever
eugraven upon the heart every who shares the
privileges and Ncurs the responsibilities of civilized society
that the Law wherever established is the Supreme Power
Of the land No man body of has right deny
its authority to a3nu its penalty any way interfere
I'll :, al II
re;sns supreme; itself the sole instrument of justice
knowedsed by the State and whatever decides is
son to Society not to uphold and enforce 1t has
Executive organs and in their hands alone II
high sacrege for another grasp the prcrega,ve
tie Minister of Justice the sword which in the hand of
the uar consecratcd holy and clothed with high
authority becomes the possession another, the weapon
murderer.
Blu, apart from these considerations what the causes Of
the spirit which gives birth these ourages upon social
der ma, tendency, and in wha direction look
Tor u remedy These question. most momentous
cres and OF the highest practical mpoance they deserve
the consideration of every good ezen for the evil
To winch they relate of the highest magnitude and
growing enormy. There be li,te doubt tina, the
foundation of the which give this spirit the
relaxation which becoming frequent in the applications OF
criminal Law IL very generally regarded as brad mstor
;c that hardened villain should pay the iu penalty oil
his crimes and the ingenuity of hrewd minds taxed TO de-
ye excuses for the cnormtcs of guilty wrc,ches pleas OF
asity are entertained ground often culpaby slight and
Insufficient alleged conscientious scrnpes are allowed 10
DESTROY the binding force of oahS and the sacred perosa''s
Of extending mercy is TOO often prouted base and un
haowcd purposes All these influences combine tc iniuSe
into the public mind feeling of unsahcd justice 1t MAY
be FIRST in the breasts of those whose concern
really from love of and Tor strict IN
egrv but it soon engencrs sentiment of contempt for in
coaae laws and of sup.rioy all legal provisions with
the nodes, and most reckless members of society They
have 10 respect for Law such bur only accors with
their own views justice and Propcsy. Whenever its pro-
visions are a, with these they ready ampe
upon It's authority and with unsanced hands seize upon the
work which it is It's prerogative TO perform.
The tendency OF all this sufficiently obvious. II is TO
break down all tho barriers which guard the naenable
rights of men-o DESTROY the stately fabric of society which