The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-12-08
LOCAL NATTER :.

LO G A l. MATT r. RS.
CHARGs TO THE GRAND JURY.-Judge Crawford
at the opening of the December term Of the crimi-
nal court on Monday, delivered the following
chrrge to the Grand Jury, copy of which has
been furnished by him at their request for publ
cation: .a.. a.. ...a.
Gentlemen Of the Grand Jury: Were il not for
the cake Of conformity TO a custom approved
through a succession of ages, the charge which
am about to deliver to you would perhaps be un-
necessary. There ia a propriety in it simply be,
cause II has been customary. To depart lightly
from long-established usages, though some may
think them unimportant. 10 great error II they
soon be destroyed II is the dictate Of wisdom TO
adhere to tried and approved principles and rules,
rather than 10 enter upon novel experiments, the
more especially as the hands that hold the pruning
knife are not generally willing to stop when they
have Topped the useless branches. This address
might not be required but for the reason men
toned, because the oath you have severally taken
points out very explicitly what you have been sum
moned here to do. II enjoins upon you, and each
OF you, diligently to inquire and truly to present
all matters and things which shall be given you in
charge, or which you know to be presentabe
here This branch Of your obligation imposes that
attention to duty without which nothing can be
well DONE either in a public private capacity.
II is iminateria what intelligence may be possessed
by an individual ii II ia not devoted actively to
whatever he 10 engaged upon. The Governments
counsel. your fellows, and your own, you are to
keep secret; that 10. you are to speak Of nothing
out OF the Grand Jury room that transpires in il,
in relation to the testimony adduced before you,
or the action OF yourselves or your associates in
making or refusing to make a presentment. This
is Hnportant for many reasons, among which are
these: disclosures might enable persons under
charge TO introduce subOrned witnesses to the
Grand Jury, or to escape, and in tur buent times
secrecy was deemed a prudent safeguard to the
persons Of the jurors themselves. No man is to be
presented for envy, hatred, or malice nor any
tn uteA for fpar afa tnI
reward, or any hope thereof. Entire freedom from
all improper influences. arising either in your own
bosoms or extraneous, 10 to secure the untram-
melled exercise of your beat udsment in deciding
between the United States and individuals. These
are the prominent features OF the very important
duty whose performance you are about to com.
mence. They have, do not doubt impressed
themselves deeply on your respective minds.
Your office, gentlemen, ia of more consequence
thar is generally attributed to il. Upon the view
which you shall take of charge preferred, largely
depends the character and future late Of indivldu
ais accused Of grave offences, and In good degree
the well being OF society-the preservation OF its
peace the security of it's property; the safety Of
the persons composing it. Your fundamentally
ished, and, if they will be taught by expe-
rience, reclaimed; that those viciUusly inclined
| may be deferred from INDUCING their criminal
propensties by the cad example of otherr; that the
rights secured. Your other and more pleasant
agency 10 10 see that innocent men, unjustly &C
cused, shall be relieved from obloquy and shame.
Recourse to public prosecutions 10 frequently in
sigatcd by bad temper and int1amed passion, and
the Necessity Of the case. RRis class Of Complaint
is rarely worthy of public notice. and it is cup
posed the parties accusing Themselves often think
when feeling has passed away. Except when n
breach of the peace and the law has certainly hap
pened, and the interest OF the community is really
concerned, would respectfully advise you to dis
miss the prosecution. There are occasionally ac-
cusations which have still weaker-or rather
transformations, being built upon malice and
revengeful desires. Charges of this description
and yet by no means of isolated or exceedingly
rare occurrence. Such cases these have been
presented to grand juries, and will doubtless, again
invite their attention. Tie discrimination of the
may be past finding out until they are spread be
fore petit jury, where both sides will be heard.
The great element of efficiency ia industry in all
positions in which men may be placed. and is quite
essential in that which you now occupy to right
full discharge of your functions. With it the know
| ledge of life, which gentlemen of your respecta.
bility and experience must have, will be your best
guide. In the examination of ordinary charges,
presented to grand juries in this District, you
will find little difficulty in deciding properly The
truth is generally told in plain, unvarnished man
ner, evincing no wish to exaggerate, to conceal,
to color, or to prevaricate If either OF these badges
| of inclination to state facts otherwise thnn
| as they occurred should manifest themselves in
i witness, II then becomes you 10 investigate
more closely by repetition of questions and Ia a
| change of form; to look for confirmation Of what
is testified either in the bility Of the circum
stances stated or in the requirement OF other evil
depce of the criminal conduct alleged. This is not
asking too much, for it must be recollected that
before you the working oar s in the hands of the
Government alone, and as all contradiction Is shut
out. the prosecution. if there be good ground for
nstitutng it, should be able to satisfy you beyond
reasonable doubt that on it's showing the party
cused it guity-not absolutely guilty, but that on
the representation made, if the defendant shall be
unable to change it's aspect before traverse jury,
| he 10 guilty.
Into the weightier charges need scarcely advise
close scrutiny. You will, by natural impulse.
lcok narrowly into what it 30 much concerns the
| community should be punished if there be guilt,
and which involves to the unfortunate accused re-
putation liberty, and, in the hghest offences, lie.
The investigation of such accusations ia com
menced in seriousness, proceeded in with earnest
elaboration, and should, and am sure with you
will, conclude in the finding to which diligent ex-
| animation, calm consideration, and impartial con-
vction shall lead you. These prerequisites belong
indeed TO all presentments, but every attaches
them more strongly to those whose consequences
may be so grave.
The long annual vacation of the court having
just passed, the calendar Of crimes 10 large. For
| you and me it remains to perform the duties in
cumbent ON US in our respective positions; to ad-
minister justice according to law; to see that no
| guilty man escape, nor any innocent man suffer
through fault Of ours; that the arm Of the law move
| not up and down, but horizontally, striking all
men Of every condition whom 1t may reach-in a
word to do all that we should do decently, Impair
tally diligently, and intelgently, that each Of
US shall feel that official reproach lies atour
| door.
In conclusion, gentlemen, allow me to suggest
| the proprety of as much despatch you ma y
find consistent with faithful performance of duty
| FAIa.-Madame Calderon, the lady Of the
Spanish Minister, and a number of other Catholic
ladies, will hold fair at Iron Hall, Pennsylvania
avenue, commencing this evening, and continuing
on the evenings Of the 9th, 10th, and 18th instant
(namely. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday even
ings) for the benefit OF ST. Peters church in this
city. The articles for sale will be of the most
beautiful kind and of great variety. The Marine
Band will be in attendance, and perform some OF
| 4hax dei lul rnnaic The one hicL