The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-03-07

who feels himself "thrice armed" because hii
quarrel is just
HON. JUDGE CRAwYoRDs CHARGE TO THE
GRAND JURY or WASHINGTON COUNTY DIS
TRICT OF COLUMBIA, MARCH TERN, 1915.
FURNISHED AT THE REQUEST OF THE GRAND JUAr.
Gentlemen Of the grand jury:
After a vacation Of only 1--WE weeks, the criminal
court OF this county Is again session for the trial
Of those who may be accused Of offences, and the
punishment Of such an shall be found to have been
guilty Of the charges preferred against them. The
objects Of criminal jursprudence are two-fold-the
amendment and reformation Of offenders, and the
prevention Of the commission Of crime by those
who are eyilly disposed, from an apprehension OF
the consequences, and Of the suffering TO which
they hear others doomed on conviction. The in
aicton Of punishment is generally supposed to be
the purpose for which such tribunals as this we're
constituted; but II IL rather mean Of etfscting the
great objects referred TO than end the security
Of society for the time being, from the depredatons
OF burglars and thieves during their imprisonment
is most beneficial consequence.
In answering the purposes for which courts Of
criminal jurisdiction were erected, everything by
which reputation may be won, or public advantage
secured, rests upon the intelligence, impsrtiaty,
and hrmness Of those who are intrused with the
administration Of justice. Their guide, which new
leads astray, is the determination do what the
circumstances Of each case make lawful and just.
Subordinate this, the desire TO be thought have
discharged a public duty well may be fairly in
dulged. Upon this estimation the usefulness Of
public agents, TO great extent, depends. IL is the
stamp upon the gold, without which, however free
from alloy, II will not pass current in the communi-
ty. To deserve this opinion rarely fails, sooner
later to it, but whether not to merit 1t, is
within your own power, and is a richer possession
far than the Subsidiary gift which others may be-
stow or withhold These considerations address
themselves to all concerned in the business before
us-to you, and me, and our associates, in the per
Torrance of very grave and important duties. Thus
shall those who may be punished for crimes COM
mtted and others interested in their fate, be made
10 feel that knowledge and even-handed justice have
applied the law. Thus shall those who are about
to violate the rights of others deliberately, land the
greater offences are, with exception perpetrated
with more or less deliberation) be taught to know
that they cannot expect to escape detection and pun
ishment, unless they foil vigilance industry intel
ligence, and a rigid determination to preserve the
peace, and protect the person and property Of the
citizen. So may we hope to arrest crime, and ac-
complish the end Of our institution.
In Furnishing the guilty an restraining the vi
cious you, gentlemen of the grand jury, have
most efficient part to act. Upon you devovcs the
high and at the same time delicate duty of deciding
what accusations deserve trial; sft the causes Of
complaint; to scrutinize intentions to weigh mo.
tiyes; 10 determine how much and how far private
interest operates-where innocence ends, and gull,
begins. Nor arc these inquiries TO be confined to
the accused only, though they attach chiefly 70
them; for il may happen, as il has happened, that
prosecutions will have their foundation in wicked
ness and falsehood-rarely in downright and barren
iniquity-nore frequently in motives Of interest,
and sometimes in misrepresentation or deluson. The
crime Of persecuting innocence 10 great, but il is
much aggravated by making the law itself the in
srument of injury instead of protection.
OF kindred but hardly censurable chsracter
are light and frivolous accusations. The public in
terest is not involved, in many prosecutions to an
extent worthy Of notice. Neither the pence Of So
ccty, the preservation of good morals, the security
of personal rights, nor the protection of property,
require the prosecution Of the trivial offences that
are sometimes brought into court. Such complaints
would advise you to discountenance. Courts and
juries not organized to crafty passion, re-
dress imaginary wrongs, but to perform their office
in furtherance of the only legitimate objects Of any
government-the throwing Of guards around the
rights and the promotion Of the happiness, of those
who live under it. ..''
The Investigations which your duty enjoins it
upon you to make, and which alone can enable you
to determine how many or how few Of the accusa-
tons that reach you are well or l-founded, should
be as full as possible The information you will
receive must be all drawn from side. 1t is for
you to say whether the party charged should be
called on to answer. The testimony you shall hear
he cannot contradict; before you subject him to the
serious consequences Of trial before petit jury,
you sought to be thoroughly persuaded Of the
truth of the accusation, $50 far as the evidence
goesn Discrimination between alleged and real
guilt gives value TO innocence and ignominy to
crime; the occasional commingling Of them weak
ems the influence Of virtue, and strengthens the
hands of vice. -, 49,.
1t concerns the interests Of society deeply that
those who have committed crimes should undergo
the penalties that annexed to them. As the
Ia nr0 all are thev npex ALI and their
sanctions for all that violate them. You will, am
sure, in observance of your oath, present man,
nor leave any one unpresented, from improper mo.
ves, but will present all things truly they shall
come to your knowledge. -. -. .... e..
ce should be unremt,ing in their efforts to detect
crime and punish criminals. The pursuits OF many
of our inhabitants the constant presence Of vsiters
to this city, and the periodical influx Of an i'm
mense number of them, afford facilities for the COM
mission of offences Of which the unprincipled avail
themselves. These circumstances, moreover, add
to those of vicious propensties among ourselves,
the wicked of neghboring States, who como here TO
prey upon the unwary and plumber the incautOus.
It your duty and mine to stay this body Of crime,
as far as an industrious, faithful, and intelligent ad
minstration Of the laws shall enable US.
The rapidity with which punishment follows
crime and the certainty Of its infection are believed
to be the best restraints upon vice. Delays give
hope of escape, and often lead to it. The crime and
its penalty become disconnected, and the influence
of fear is in a great measure lost. These conse-
qucnces will not, trust, happen thu ough us; and
one mean of avoiding them, permit me, in conclu-
sion, respectfully to recommend to you much
despatch as may comport with thorough investiga-
ton and full elaboration.
March 2, 1886
GOVERNMENT ExPEssEs.-The American Secrc-
tary Of the Treasury in his official report Of the
estimated receipts and expenditures for the fiscal
year ending the Goth Of June, ls46, puts down the