The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1855-08-17
sTABBIN CASE.

Supply Knox, IN individual residing in our
place, near Smiths Corner, who has been
suspected Of dealing in intoxicating liquors,
and for that reason has been watched by
tbs police, was arrested on Friday, and
brought before Judge Bourne, charged with
having stabbed Mr.. Hatch, Of the City Po-
lice, tho night previous, between the hours
Of ten and eleven, and on trial, was bound
over to Court in the sum Of two hundred
dollars. The wound was inflicted while Mr.
Hatch was cndeayoring to take from Mr..
Knox some liquor which no had had in his
possession, ana at the time It was made, Mr..
II. was not aware that he had received any.
thing but blow, without any weapon. 1t
appeared in testimony that some two quarts
Of liquor were found upon Mr.. Knox's per.
son, and that he had contest with the pc.
lice before II was given up. The knife, or
whatever instrument was made use Of, passed
through Mt. Hatch's vest, cutting hole
near x of an inch wide, and penetrated his
left side, near his heart, but its course was
arrested by coming in contact with one OF
his ribs. To this fortunate circumstance
Mr.. Hatch owes bis escape from serious,
and perhaps fatal wound. The affair has
caused no little feeling hero, and q deter
mination to support tho City Police, in the
full discharge Of their duty. Mr.. Hatch is
ono Of the City Watch, and was in the
exercise of his duty as such when the affair
occurred. There is, undoubtedly, some
place where liquor is kept deposited, and to
which some who continue to sell in q sly
way, either from bottle carried in the
pocket, or in some other way, resort to have
their stocks rcp'cnished. Mr.. Knox was
undoubtedly out for thi, purpose, when he
was overhauled by Mr.. Hatch.
In connection with this matter, It is per-
haps proper for us to say that tho operations
Of tho Biddeford Association, and the coun-
tenancc which some Of its members give
to rumselllng and drinking, by tho TRADES
which are uttered there against tho Maine
Law, have emboldened some Of tho rum
men in our place very much, and encouraged
them to threaten personal injury to tho pc.
lice officers, should they attempt to execute
warrants against them. This Mr.. Knox, We
understand, has frequently mado threats Of
this character, and it seems, IL the charge is
true, has attempted to carry them into exc
cu,ion. Wo should think that q case Of
this kind, when police officer, in the prop.
or discharge Of his duty, is saved, from
great personal injury attempted, only by a
fortunate circu instance having occurred,
would lead men who occupy promincn, po.
sitions, to stop and consider the influences
which ore going out from the stand they
take. We are confident that desperate men
arc encouraged to deeds Of lawlessness and
violence, by tho character Of these speeches
against tho Maine Law.
They take license from hearing II assailed
with bitterness, by men claiming to DO tenn
peranco men, and think they have right to
resist its execution. Without wishing to be
harsh, We wish to say that the men who
speak against the law, or dcnounco it as ty.
ranical and constitutional, are more cul-
pablo than the poor, ignorant and depravcd
man, who, stimulated by love Of gain,
runs his risk of getting punished by violat.
ing the law. Mr.. Knox may bc punished,
and severely, for his conduct, but those who
teach him lawlessncss, or stimulate him to
deeds Of violence, by better denunciations OF
the law, are really responsible, and the pco-
pie will SO regard it. So far as Mr.. Hatch
is concerned, he has faithfully discharged
his duty, and this iaithfulness is attcsted by
the bitterness which tie rum sympathiscrs
have against him. The manner in which
he has been assailed is the best compliment
10 his efficiency which could DO given.