Iowa territorial gazette and advertiser., 1842-10-29
WIN. G., ROSS.

this individual--it is not satisfied that he
is lodged safely in ja,l--but it would con
fine him in cell where he would die in
a week, or would hurry him TO trial (no'
to say cxecution) in community which
that paper has kept inc constant excitement
for six months, aud where perhaps not
single individual can be found who, on
account Of these frequent discussions, has
not formed or expressed an opinion
We are in favor Of The law taking its
course in this as in all other cases But
are not the rules and provisions ot law in
danger Of being defeated by this course
Of public trial in a newspaper before
trial has been had in court Of law?
The chiefbeauty Of our iudicia! system
is the right Of trial by jury. Take a
way this right, and no citizen will be
safe. With it, the rights and liberties Of
every nan arc in the keeping OF twelve
Of his disinte,ested fellow citizens-witn-
out it, he would be subject to the dictum
Of single Judge. Even the negro en-
joys this right- and even for him the law
is tempered with mercy. 1t would be
shocking to every feeling Of humapity
TO drag him to trial before partial tribus
nal that had already doomed him to
death! What should we all -lhink and
feel to hear that negro, yes, a negro had
been brought TO trial before a jury, who,
in a private capacity, had already had the
halter round bis neck? Would we not
think that the horrors Of the holy inqui-
sition had been revived?
Ii is duty which society owes itself to
keep the public mind disabused SO as to
secure honest ond unbiased juries.--
There are two sides to every question:
and two parties to every conlest--and
where minds arc biassed one way there:
are also minds equally biassed the other
way. Il. .is therefore essential to the ends
Of justice that the public mind should be
kept calm and entirely free Of prejudice.
AS the best interests Of society then de-
pend upon the purity Of the jury system,
and the unpreudiced action Of jurors, it
is the duty Of all 10 preserve that system
rather than destroy its beneficial effects
BY an Incorporate and ill-tmcd use OF
our tongues or our pens.
We do hold that that editor who pro.
pasates one sided statements Of any
breach Of the law makes an attack him
selfupon the spiri, Of the law by prejudg
ing the case and by prejudicing the minds
Of the public.
As for Ross, he is indicted and is
lodged in Jail. His health is still preca
rious, and he is in strong room. VIVA
more need or can be done? Would you
commit murder by putting him in
damp cell where death would soon rot
him Of the little life that is in him ant
the law Of ts :ictim?
We had hoped that nothing furthe
would have been said on this sublect un
til q trial had been had. Whether tht
Hawkeye intends to prejudice the pub
lie mind or not, its course is we'll calcula
ted to have that effect if thapubic have
any respect for its statements--and wha
may be contrary to its purpose is, ,ha
that prejudice is likely to be as much il
favor of Ross as against hi.a. In view Q
|iuslice then this is all wrong.
The cost to the County, alluded to by
the Hawkeye, in this case, as reason
), for swift trial, will hardly b, regarde
as in proportion to the serious question
Of life and death which the trial will in
volye. IL we are acquainted with thu
people Of this county, they are scarcel,
so sordid in their views as to hang peo
ple by the neck or send them to the peni
,entiary, lest they cos: them few cop
pers. This is certainly new notion il
finance, and a new way Of avoiding
expense-and very mercilul one with
al!
Z RHODE 1SLAND-J. G. ADAMS.
We see it stated in Massachusetts pa
} pers that MIR. Adams has voluntarily
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