Minnesota weekly times. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1859, 1854-05-30
MINNESOTA WEEKLY TIMES.
FRIDAY, MAY, 26, 1854.
THAT PARDON.

to remark that we did not think that Gov. Cor
man had valid reasons for granting the pardon,
on the ground that Monroe, if not guilty OF san
assault with intent KILL, at least guilty of
assault and battcrv.-had violated the law, and
ought 10 have suffered the consequences. We see
no reasons for ch,ngin" our views. ont the CONTRA
~ We find much to Justify them. What the
facts in the case? Let Us see.
In March last, Monroe entered, or was permit
ted to enter the saloon of james Dixon. and while
there got into dispute with one of Dxon's hired
men. On the arrival of Dixon he ordered Mon
roe out of his establishment and while leaving
the room, Ou~hcl out by Dixon, rs some Of the
witnesses tcstifv.) Monroe drew Il pistol from his
pocket and fired at Dixon the shot taking effect
in the hc>hy part of his arm. Monroe was
rested charge of '.assau with intent to kill"
tried and pronounced guilty, the Judge charging
the Jury that if in their belief facts justified the
iinlir- of verdict of an assault and battery"
and not an assault with intcut to kill, or vice
versa, they >hould rcndcra verdict according v-
The jury cam" in with an unanimous verdict of
assault with intent to kill.''
Monroe thrown INTO Jail, where he has been
living awaiting his sentence, until within few
days past. His counsel Secretary RoSser. became
interested in his behalf, and backed bv letter
from Judge Shcrburnc. stating that he did not
think the verdict in accordance it'll the facts
(hut not recommending a pardon). Mr.. Rossrr
procured the 81 cnatures of many of our citizens,
asking the Executive to pardon Monroe and set
HIM at liberty. Judge Shcrbune accordingly
sentenced the prisoner Monday. the 22d inst.
t" one years Imprisonment in the Pcnitcntiarv,
and the Governor 81 cncd the document which gave
him his freedom.
Now i'll all this imputc no bad motives to
Mr.. R"SScr--no ..colusion or skulduyrcyy''-
neither DOVE think that Judge Shcrl,ournc or even
Gov. German were actuatcd by any but the knl-
Hest feelings towards the prisoner, the latter
seeking by his pardoniny power to save IA con-
dcmncd criminal from that degree of punishment
which he, Mr.. Rosser, and judge Shcrbournc
thought too severe from the facts alduccd on
the trial, but does all this justify the Executive
tampering with the law-tlrowing open the door
through which perhaps greater criminals than
Monro" can pass out into the world to commit and
rc-commit their depredations upon society? Be-
cause, in the opinion of Monrce's counsel, JUDGE
Sh"lbomnc any body else, the facts did not
saut with intent to KILL is that any reason why
he who had violated the law to a certain degree
should not suffer the penalty for that violation but
escape all punishment? Suppose that the facts
did not Justify Monrocs committal to the Peni-
tertiary, did they not justify fine and imprison-
mrnt i'll the County Jail? What then? Why give
HIM a now trial. But, says his counsel, he is a
poor negro, stranger, and cannot procure bail,
and il he has new trial he will be obliged to re-
main in Jail for six or seven months. pcrhaps a
year. and rather than do that, why we will over
look the violations of the law in this instance and
Let him 90. Well, it is true, that if a new trial
had been granted, Monroe, for the want of bail.
would have been kept in confinement several
months, to have suffered it may be, but is this a
sufficient reason for his pardon?
We have no i'll feelings towards Monroe-wc do
not know him,-but conscious as he must be- of
having violated the law 50 far an assault and
battery is concerned, (mo matter what the provo
ration.) he must look upon this Interference with
the aims of justice most iniudicous act If
h. does not, others do.
The ground assumed by Mr.. Rosscr, in justi-
icaion of his course is this:-Thc facts involved
inr in verdict of san assault with intent to
kill" After that verdict had been rendered, it
WAS his intention to call for Il new trial. hut Mon
roe faiin" to procure bail, and knowing that
new trial could not be had under several months,
he preferred to throw the matter into the hands
of the Executive, and upon his clemency, and to
accomplish this more elfcctualy, he procured the
signatures of citizens, aided BY n letter
which hc had received from Judge Shcrburne
and laid the petition before the Governor, who,
losing sight of the effect such step would have
upon society and the efficacy of the law, gave
Monroe his pardon.
Mr.. Rosser certainly had nothing to gain by
such course-no votes, no money nor influence.
II" probably dictated solely by Il regard for
Monroe, and being his counsel felt an interest in
his liberation. All this is commcndablc. but when
Justice is to be meted out and the law is to be
indicated, personal feelings should be laid aside.
and the law maintained at all hazards.
We regret that this pardon has been granted by
the Governor, not much so because it was or
was not deserved. the influence it will have
upon society. Look at it: twelve men brought in
Il unanimous verdict of an assault with intent to
XIII INC IulTc anu coun>el Tor the prisoner
cnnrcdc il is stron.s case of assault and battery
direct violation of the law, and vet the Exccu-
tive, submitting to outside influences. (Which an
executive officer never ought to do.) intcrroscs
his power and sets the criminal at liberty. Who
is safe? The precedent is set. (and prcccdents in
law are very important points and why not par
don others? Bring up your prisoners, then. Get
mp Your petitions. and let make clean sweep.
Abolish courts. iurcs, judges: tear down our
tails and let society have the benefit of thoSn who.
havin. violated all claim to society. stand ready
To send some other innocent soul into the pres
cncr of its Maker.
There never was Il time when our laws should
he more carefully guarded than at the present.
We are LAYING the foundation for great city
ave, for great State, and unless shielded by the
judicial branch of our Territory, robbery, ra-
pine and murder will be- our portion. Have our
people forgotten the murder Of Clark and Hall?
Has the Executive forgotten several other
dcrs that have been committed with inpunity in
our midst. Where are the murdcrors? Echo
answers where: The weeds Of mourning cover
some weeping mother. some aged father. sonic
dotiu. sister. some affccticnate wifo-lut sun,