The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1845-09-12

accounts. To-day we ind through another source,
that the intelligence is very warke. Which are
we to believe We shall soon ascertain. however,
whether the Mexicans prefer dollars orb balls. They
viii probably prefer dollars.
Trials Of the Anti-Rentcrs at Hudson and
Delhi.
The trials of Boughon and his associates have
begun Hudson, and are likely to prove as tedious
as they were last year Some persons have been
fearful of disturbances before the close of the pr
ceedngs, but regards the people these fears have
thus far proved unfounded, and will remain
We wish we could say much for the lawyers,
who have become. eminenty pugnacous all of sud
den and put the Court under the necessity of COM
hitting two of them TO prison. II is 10 be hoped
that their brief confinement will have sautary in
flence those gentlemen, and that the strong hand
of the law will prevent them from again laying hands
on each other Columbia County has now reason 10
be alarmed indeed, since her atmosphere has become
s lmpregnaed with turbulence, that an Attor-
ney General cannot snuff il without feeling consi-
derably quarrelsome
Although great deal has been said and written
within the last few weeks in regard to the Ankent
disturbances, and the various topics incidental TO the
discussion, there is still one which has not been
sufficiently noticed, perhaps, because those who have
had an opportunity to observe II are few, else in
capacltated by prejudice from perceiving it. Very
few OF those who write in the several newspapers of
the day have been in Delaware county since the late
tragical scene there, and still fewer of them are al
together without leaning TO one side the other !;
the accounts they receive second hand and from
persons under the influence of strong feelings who
perhaps, without being conscious of it. are partial
and unjust
What we alude TO as escaping the notice of these
persons, is the morbid state of public feeling which
prevails IN this county, and especially in Delhi, the
scene ofthe excitement attendant upon imprsoning
examining and committing the prisoners who are
brought in by the troops and also the head quarters
OF the irregular torcesin the active service of making
arrests, and the inactive employment of guarding
prisoners Making all due allowance for the asperi-
ty of feeling caused by the murder of Mr.. Steele,
who was much respected and sincerely deplored,
yet stranger cannot help deploring the dlsgraceful
manifestations of spirit of revenge and hatred
that the law and order party daily the habit of
making, and we regret to say that the officials EN-
ployed IN administering law, participate largely in
the unseemy ana njudicous display of hostility TO-
wards the accused. In the first place. when the pr-
began to arrive in Delhi, they were received
with abuse and threatening language, and open pro-
testaons that respect for the character of the coun-
try alone, prevented its law and order loving nhabi-
tants from wreaking signal and summary vengeance
upon the unfortunates who were IN custody In
gaol, again, hardly visiter who goes in to satisfy
his curiosity with sight of his neighbors in durance
vile, but INDUCES in tauns and revlings, such as
men ought TO feel ashamed of using even towards
convicted criminal. On their examination too. be-
fore the Coroner's jury, in the presence of magls-
traes lawyers, and the elite Of the citizens of Del
hi, vein of sarcasm and nvectve runs through
whatever Is addressed TO them on the part of the
prosecution, and frequently of opprobrous epthets
an unsparlng use is made by those whose duty it is
TO preserve, at least, decency and decom in all the
proceedings
Now, and above the bad taste of all this. il
rs unjust towards the prisoners, pernicious in it's
general effects on the public mind, and highly dis
graceful in any court Of justice. II may be thought
excellent tact on the part OF the prosecution, l.,
brow-beat man, surrounded by persons excited
against him, and to extort admissions through IN
tmidatlon, but impartial bystander will place all
such conduct in another category. Side by SIDE
with 1t, too, will be placed the obvious satisfaction
derived from the exhibition by those who pretend
10 understand the meaning OF decency, dignity, and
manliness. We certainly should expect 10 find
good deal of the latter in Delaware, from the repu-
taton It has borne, and from is natural and social
features; but the witnessed in Delhi do not
20 to confirm the correctness of such expectations
Indeed, they do not seem TO be aware al all Of the
truth OF the maxim, that all persons are to be consi-
dered innocent until proved guilty. In ignorance
or contempt OF this truth, with professions of respect
for law and order on their lips, they look upon the
accused anti-renters concerned in the murder OF
Steele as matter OF course and upon the assump-
non OF their guilt they treat individuals as though
deserving OF one thing alone-punishm
We have no sympathy with criminals of any
kind, nor ever had we have called loudly and re-
peatedy for stringent execution of the law, and
nave always deprecated sympathy with those who
incur It's penalties But we do not like 10 see il
administered by the mob, nor perverted by those
who are paid and sworn TO execute it, Therefore
we cannot look with any degree of liberation on any
public demonstration, or individual act contrary TO
its letter or It's spirit We wish to see the murder
ers of that worthy man and exemplary officer. Mr.
Steele, punehed, but we want to see a legitimate
course pursued in detecting the guilty The
accused have their rights, as well as their
prosecutors and we believe both to be
equally essential to the rights OF person and
property AT this view it becomes Of great i'm
porance to the ends OF justice, that none of this
anlmosity should enter into the proceedings at the
pending TRIALS, and with all sincerity, say, there
Is room TO tear it's interference therein, to the prcju-
ace oil the traversers. Delaware is frightened
from us proprety; the efiervescence OF hostile
feelings is not checked by firm and decorous in
'erposon OF official influence, nor is the least soil
cltude manifested IN any quarter TO maintain the
dignity OF law, by course Of moderation and con
Citation. The services Of the hangman ara sc
more value in the eyes of the excited peonle IS
Delhi, than any other and if left 10 themselves
they would, according to their own declarations he
In immediate and extensive requsltion This
feeling mnst be crrhad Too ,nnnh .oal - !