The Placer herald., 1856-07-05
AUBURN, JULY 5, 1856.
Terry's Case,


are satisfied, intended to effect local matters,
and within those prescribed limits they should, if
possible, be kept, nevertheless they effect the in
terest and honor of the entire State and may in
the future enter into, as a question, our Legisla-
ton, for which reason we feel privileged to dis
cuss the matter in detail.
Our accounts from below give but little hope
for the recovery of Hopkins. The conviction that
he must die, fills every heart with gloom, In
the moment Of this great sacrifice to the cause of
reform, the people find themselves the undisputed
masters of the field.
The coup de etat of the 21st ofJune, crushed out
all chances of physical opposition, and the moral
power of the State was already with them. Never
was demonstration more decisive, victory more
complete, triumph more exalted. The might of
the people is felt and acknowledged, truth has
been vindicated vice rebuked and crime chas
tised. The people now afford to temper JUS
lice with mercy. they afford to, and have now
the opportunity of reaping other aures, of form
ing such chaplet as would crown the brightest
angel in the celestial court They can do such an
act of clemcncy as will shame their sanderers
into silence--all at least whose tongues are capa-
bic of harm.
There has been enough blood spilt-the people
are not athirst for blood, in the reign Of terror
The people have undertaken work Of reform,
they wish this effected aad to be secure in their
persons aud property for the future. Is the death
of Terry likely to enhance these objects? We
think not. He is not low skulking villain
There are no charges against him Of corruption
in Office. There is pride about the man that
will always save him from the reproach of treach.
erous conniviLg - bribery in Office. Had he kept
within the legitimate sphere of his judicial char
acter, no one would have uttered word against
him. Evidently he is not fit for his station can
do no further good in it, and therefore ought to
leave it. He has lost the respsct of the people of
the State Of California, and can no longer hold
his seat with credit to himself His friends should
feel this, and have advised him that under the
circumstances he should resign.
RASH headstrong he has probably taken the
life of as good citizen. quite conscientious
and honest in his duty to society as himself All
this may be true and yet Judge Terry be far from
guilty Of murder To merit death at the hands of
his captors, he must have entertained settled
ielloneous intent, inconsistent with the hardy dar-
ing of his character and that pride which has
been at once his bane and cardinal virtue. AS
we understand the case it may well be question
ed if the aninAs indispensable to crime is not
wanting.
The security of the public peace, nor the self
defence of the Committee do not demand his life,
and for one, we should find pleasure in recording
an act of magnanimity on the part of the Com
mittee towards this 1--WE are told) penitent and
unfortunate man, that shall be regarded in all
future time as the crownng triumph of this great
body of reformers. There are those who will
probably think cemcncy in his case an inviduous
distinction, made to a man because Of his office
or position in society. To such objectors we
have to say, that there is nothing in our individual
history to induce to worship men for place or
family sake, rather the contrary, we have never
sought for more than justice in this world, but for
all this we will not be denied our tight to in
duge in the luxury of mercy-and though justice
be thy plea remember this-that in the course of
Justice. none of us should see salvaton.'
Thus much we have felt it our duty to say,
under the circumstances. We repose great conf
dence in the leading men of the Vigilance Com
mttee and shall be quite lothe to withdraw that
confidence at this time. We believe they are
fully advised of the responsible position they hold
and will not do injustice in this trying moment.
Be wise oh men of the Committee, be more subtle
than the serpent, and to the glorious motto upon
your seal add this golden rule-"do unto others,
as you would they should do unto you
FALSE REPoRT-The Bay papers have been
reporting that our cotemporary OF the Placer
Press, whilst on a visit to that city, was
robbed Of the sum Of $50 current coin Of
the realm Mr. Hawkins informs us that it is
a mistake, SO gentlemen there is no proof
that he had that amount of money.
Col. ZABRIsKIE's reply to b. b. Brown and
others will be found in another column. Giving
it place in the Herald is, we trust, sufficient
Indication of our estimation of the positions taken
bv the Colonel. The letter speaks for itself, and
will recommend itself to the candid reader more
surely than any comment of ours could induce.
No honest unprejudiced democrat can read 1t with
out arriving at the conclusion that it contains
Gods truth plainly told. In view of approaching
events, we most earnestly solicit careful rehec-
ton upon the concluding portion OF it.
Since waiting the above we have received oy
mail two copies of this correspondence in pamph-
let form from the Colonel, for which We thank
him.