Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-12-18
SPIRIT OF THE BALTIMORE PRESS.
FROM TnE pALrMoRE " AMgaIcAsp or rrsrrnpA,

FROM THE BALTIMORE AMERICAN" OF YESTERDAY
LAwLEssEEss.-0ur local columns continue to record
outrages committed almost every evening against uno
Tending citizens. Highway robbery in frequented parts
of the town. is not uncommon Last Saturday the court
itself desecrated by the presence and INSIDE
meanor Of rowdes and, when their companion was con-
vcted instead of being acquitted, they hoped, the
jury in general and Of their number in particular
chased from the house door until he sought
safety in neighborng house. Since then the marked
uryman has left the city in order his life With
in few weeks the Jail has been tce brohen giving IL
berry to several Of its worst inmates.
Which Of these offenders has been arrested and if
arrested, how punished?
1t cannot be distressing for readers 10 peruse
these statements than it is for to make them We
have been told their publication impoltic, because
1t only served to make weakmnd officials obstinate in
their inaction while it exhibited Baltimore in dispar
aging aspect abroad We hayo but little patience with
such timeserying midity. 1t is better to have
city than to surrender il ruans, betray con-
fding strangers by cupable silence We may want some
additional legislation to render punishment effectively
adequate to various grades OF crime but it i, the gene
raj opinion expressed in conversation that present
disastrous state is mainly owing to the inefficient admin
istratiOn of such law have.
Our authorities have fearful responsibility to- meet in
public opinion For weeks the people and the press have
been aboring to induce some demonstration of earnest
and powerful action But the oracles have been deaf
dumb and paralyzed We do not hesitate to say that
unless decided steps for public quiet are immediate
y taken by those whose duty is 10 protect u.s. c
should assemble to consult to the best means Of
taking care of themselves
FaoM THE SAME PAPER OF SAME DATE
CRIMINAL LAW Observation-Disclosures of the Mary
and Legislature from the counties win see cause in re-
cent outrages two of their friends from the country
make the punishmens inflicted by criminal laws spe
cite There should be no traing miataam fines
should discretionary penalties be allowed in charters where
there is often natural discretion. If wishes
indulge in the luxury of privately Furnishing another he
ought to be able to pay for expensive luxury least
be willing to so to jail for amonth certainly. is likely
that high tariff such misdemeanors would prevent
their occurrence.
In regard to higher grades of offence fires should be
altogether forbidden, unequal to meet the exgency.
In those the punishment should always be prson
mnt and independent of judges mercy. Indeed it is
very proper that mercy should be attribute of ju
dcia power in the court having original jurisdiction of
Mercy is rightfully the prerogave of pardon
ing, revising committing power Laws should never
be cruel but adequate under all circumstances for cruel
laws defeat the conviction of criminals while weak
lenient laws are, demonsrably cruel the public. In
fact the of good law is its perfect justice and
man has n right to murmur at its administration.
criminal law therefore, should always be specific in its
penalty. When felon violates it, he should know ex-
acy what he has to expect and indulge hope that
judge who is try him will diminish his suferngs to
penalty which offsets few dollars against vast amount
of physical suffering and personal dishonor Nor should
sentence be RENTED without jurys unanimous
recommendation and public notice. Such appeals, how
ever, would be rarely made; for if law is equitable in
all its parts there be claim for remission mas
much of the essential elements of mercy is the
justice with which that heavenly characteristic regards
the society that has been offended, well the euprt
who has done the HARM