Weekly Trinity journal., 1857-10-03
The Increase ofCri1aie in tho East.

II has surprised us not a little in reviewing the
news from the Atlantic States. to learn of the un-
paralleled increase OF crime in almost every one
Of the States. Such state Of things has never
before existed in the United States. The Lcgis-
latures Of the different States cannot but witness
the appalling fact hat lawlessness is everywhere
prevalent The remedies for this fearfuly in
creasing crime and social disorder are soon pro.
vided by passage of laws but the cure aud
prevention of such revolving crime, and the very
common occurrence of such open day robberies
and arson is to be found alone in the faithful ex-
ecution Of The law.
We believe the great bulk OF crime in the Uni
ted States is perpctratcd through the weakness
and corruption Of those who are placed in power
and clothed with authority to execute the law
We cannot believe that the increase Of crime is TO
be attributed alone TO the increase Of human de-
pravity with the mass Of the people.
In no civilized country in the world arc the
people so awabdng as in the United States
and in no country in the world are human laws
tampercd with SO much, or put through such va
ricd processes of prevarication as under our owu
government. This alarming state of things in the
East is also q matter for the serious consideration
of the people Of Californa-for in no State in
the Union has the relaxation Of the rigor of JUS
tice been so great as here. Ii compelled the cit
izcns Of the great metropolis of California to re-
sort second time to the desperate alternative of
taking the law into their own hands to protect
their lives and property against the reckless
abuse of the laws, and the vile deprcdations Of
corrupt hounds who tramplcd upon the laws as
mere expressed farce, and dsregardcd the rights
Of those who were found willing to obey the law
and support the right. If there is one thing more
than another to which can be ascribed the cause
of this increase of crime, it must be attributed to
the looseness and defect of popular elections
Popular elections are the chief medium through
which partiality creeps into the administration Of
the law, and hence the abuses and infamous cor
ruptions which we see instanced in all the public
journals of the day. If the chief cause of this
fearful evil originates from the defects OF popular
elections how long would it take the people to
correct the abuses and restore justice in the adj
mnistration OF the laws? We apprehend that if
Legislative and Judicial officers. crime would soon
diminish, and Tie guarantee expressed in the
written laws for the better protection Of life and
property be taken for something which has mean
ing and force. Nearly every species Of officer
under our Government is now elected by the
system o. popular election. High qualifications,
morality, and integrity Of purpose has but very
little to do with the selection of men for positions
which impose the important responsibility Of just
ly, impartally and fearlessly administering the
laws and natural consequence it follows
that guilt must be more or less smothcred up, jus
tcc stifed and the liberty of the cut-throat and
thief secured through the merciful bending Of po-
litcal partialities. California can now profit by
the sad and deplorable lesson witnessed in the east
if her own past experience has not given exam
Piles sufficiently strong and disastrous to teach heI
people their duty through profound and bitter
Lesson.