Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1843-10-24

From the Milwaukee Democrat, we learn
that Vineyard who shot Arndt on the floor
of the Legislative Council, has been acquit-
ted by the court,a its recent session in Green
county. This result, though not unexpcct-
ed, is a disgrace to the territory, and should
cause every honest bosom to burn with in
dignation.
OF the great number present in the Cour-
Gil chamber at the time of this occurrence,
but one opinion was expressed; that it was a
crime richly deserving the severest penalty
of the law. But the court thinks otherwise:
indeed it does not appear that the court con-
siders it crime at all; and so far as this de-
cision goes, the principle is recognised that
man may deliberately put murderous wea-
pons in his pocket and take human life With
impunity. 1t is folly, in some parts of the
territory, at least, to talk of the equal admi-
nistration of justice; the courts both superb
or and inferior are mockery and farce,
where the rich and respectable william laughs
at the law, and the poor and humble await
its scverest application, with uncrring Ger
tainty.
Had James r. Vineyard been without mo-
ney, we are confident he would have met
with different fate We by no means pre-
tend tosay that bribery has been used in any
way, but our readers will understand as well
we can tell them the indirect influence which
it can be made to exert. The best counsel
in the territory was secured, and whilst. in
our opinion, the prosecution was weak and
ineffective, no stone was left unturncd on
the part of the defence. From time TO time
on some frivolous pretcxt was the trial post
poned, and the intermediate time was en-
ployed in favorably influencing every avenue
to the result. The prosecution we say, IN
our opinion was weak and inefficient, and
the consequence is verdict alike detremen-
tai TO the honor and welfare of the territory.
Let us make another remark in connection
10 some extent what we have
said. 1t was but short time after this oc-
currence, that one Calfee, in Iowa county
for provocation, took the life Of fellow NOR
tai. He was poor and ACCOMPLISHMENTS the
result. At the next term of the court he
was sentenced TO be hung by the neck until
he was dead, and without delay the sentence
of the court was carried into effect. James
r. Vineyard, with a weapon procured for
some special purpose, after provoking con-
fl ct with an unarmod man, shot him dead.
He was rich and rcspcctable-inark the re-
suit. He now walks abroad with the homes
and upright citizen. Is tsrange, under the
circumstance, we have mob law? Would it
be singular fla crowd of honest men, witness |
$ ne similar occurrence, with this decision
of the court before their eyes, should seize
the culprit and hang him up at once? Self
preservation is the frst law OF nature, and
if the administrators of the law fail in their
duty, shall the people not protect themselves?
There are many who will console them
selves with the belief that James r. Vine |
yard, in view of his crime, has that within
his own bosom, which passes in punishment
the heaviest penalty the law could inlet.
What is the conscience ofs4snan who could
come under the 'rcumstances, un5lushingly
before the people, for the highest office in
their gift. Does It not argue him devoid of
the commoncst sens bjlities of our nature? |
But there is tribunal at'whosc bar JUS
tee is equally admin stored, and until the
cry of the widow and the orphan is there I'M
needed, James r. Vineyard will not escape
the punishment due his crime.