The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1857-06-16
LOCAL NEWS.

menced yesterday. The grand jury called consist
ing of the following named gentlemen:
George w Riggs, chairman George Mcce,uy, William
A. Bradley James Il. Morgan George s. Gideon Joshua
Pierce, Robert s. Patterson, George A. Bohrer, w.
Stone, SEN, William T. Dove, John P. Inge, Zadoo W.
McKnew James c. G. Kennedy, Buckner Bayliss George
G. Ames Lewis Carbury, Darius Clagett, Alexander H
Dodge Isaac Clarke, T. J. Gait Samuel Bacon w b
Todd, Jonathan Prout, and L. A. Gobnght.
The list of the petit jurors is as follows:
Daniel Lightfoot, William F. Jones, seraphim Mast
John w. Off, Robert ii. Harrison George NJ Southron
James b. Holmead John f. Bradley, Robert H. Watkins
James Burns Thomas j. Williams, James M Taylor
Samuel Mcknight Francis b. Lord, Thomas ID. Iarner
A. Lewis Newton, Benjamin f. Gettngs, John e. Ken
dali, Samuel Stott, John E. Heale, z. X ofutt, Abra
ham Butler, Thomas J. Davis, William Van Reswick,
Southey S. Parker James Fulaloye, N. Boyd Brooks,
Alfred Ray, Peter Hepburn, Aaron Divine.
The following is Judge Crawfords charge to the grand
jury:
Gentlemen of the grand jury the order of the law
has again brought together that may perform, in
our respective spheres important public duties Their
discharge will benefit the community of which we are
part in great less degree, shall acquit our
selves of the trust reposed in Our regulations our
obligations to ourselves and society," and those which
reach beyond this life, combine to urge to
gec intelligent and faithful performance OF whatever
is incumbent upon in the positions we severay occu-
py In the constitution of body for preliminary in
quiry there sought special aptitude for meeting
the purposes Of its creation, and it has long been be-
eved that this peculiar fitness has been found in grand
jury The members composing 1t are selected from all
parts of the in their social posi-
TONS and enjoying, the fruit of virtuous and upright
conduct the confidence and esteem of their fellowciti
zens. III could imagine such thing as combination
among them to effect improper ends it would be we'll
nigh impossible for they chosen, summoned, and as
sembled without any agency of their and only for
short period differing in their pursuits, occupations,
opinions and social and personal relations in life Coming
from every quarter of tho county, they will
fewer of them, probably know something OF the parties
who may appear before Them and be thereby the better
enabled to weigh their allegations and statements in
gard of the subjects investigated As many of the grand
jurors as appear-not fewer than twelve more than
twenty three of the pane-at least twelve
must agree the finding of presentment the in
dicnent founded according to our practice) on such
prescntment true bill and hence the necessity of linn
tng the grand jury to twentythree, that the re-
quired number twelve, may be majority of full jury
Ii so many are satisfied of the truth of the accusation
the presentment is made or the Indictment returned
true BILL although the other grand jurors may think
there is foundation for the charge These remarks
made the suggestion of intelligent and respect
able citizen who has served grand juror that ques-
tons sometimes raised in your room which they will
answer.
All accusations necessarily grave for they involve,
on the hand the interests and security OF society,
and the other whatever ought to be most valued by
the individuals who charged with violating the rights
of Others including those of property and the safety OF
person, which every citizen has just claim to demand
shall be insured to him. in return for the allegiance he
he makes one shape another to its support Con-
siering then that if charges specifically examined
and complaints dismissed without full investigation,
which ought perhaps to be sent to petit jury for trial
and that it, possibly offenders escape thereby who should
, - nunshed the community must suffer from the
given to the preparation of crimes as well
as from the repeated criminal acts of the released trans
oressor. and again, that if an innocent man should
from the want of close scrutiny be presented and ndiet
ed how much individual hardship and unmerited pain
must be endured it cannot but be apparent how very
serious are your duties and how great the responsibility
that rests on grand jurors 1t can only be met and WILL
am confident BIO met by the body of gentlemen have
the honor to address by the application OF Intelligent
vigilance and pcrseyelng energy, ~ spfit q inegfiy
to the examination of every accusation tat sp w pre-
sented for their consideration So shall few 60 free who
ought to feel the weight of the penalty due to them for
wicked Deeds and where there is evidence to prove
their guilt So too shall the innocent escape the oppro
bri,m of grand Jury sanction to an unjust charge.
In the multiplicity of prosecutions that instituted
and attempted be instituted, ip population as nu
meros ours there will necessarily be great diversity OF
character well as of degree in alleged offences OF
them dark and deepdyed, growing lighter gradually as
you cast your eye along the scale, until at length you
emerge into pure atmosphere hardly able often to tell
where the line between the criminal and civil law
Cases scarcely disclosed if at ALL by penal admxture,
YOU must of course look into ascertain their quality
and IT, having done with care you satisfied that
there does not exist any reason having reference to the
general good, why the public should be burdened with
the expense of prosecuting them further respectfully
advise you to dismiss them OF such charges there
fewer at every session of this court and hold
it to be duty my part to make this suggestion as Of
| ten as term recurs.
Many of the complaints that shall be laid before you
will be of easy disposal whether they have good foun
dation want it, The bulk of the former will consist
of those offences which to be met with everywhere,
swelling in number the population grows dense,
such larcenes of comparatively small amounts and
sauits ard batteries These the beginning of evil
courses which Lad 70 the preparation Of the gross
and backer crimes 1t has always been and will
ALWAYS be So unless can be Invested of bad passions
and good principles infused into the breasts of those who
are destitute of them The shocking neglect of educa-
ting properly accorng to their particular circumstances
large portion of the young of both sexes with the GER
tany accompany evil of the total want Of moral train
world over The habiua disregard OF restraint in the
United States the centous abuse and perveon of true
liberty which exist except under the consant of
law the prolific parent of private misery and public Of
fence which, commencing in street braws and riotous
scenes, rapidly 10 the penitentiay, and IT may
be to an ignominious death For all the evils that
must be in the train of neglected education of an
moving night disturbances, and street rudeness, and
swagger parents and guardians have awful account
to settle. The boys young men that desert their
homes especially after pghtal for the companionship
of those who like themselves have left the shelter of the
domestic roof in search of guilty indulgence sowing
seed whose product will inevitably be punishment and
disgrace to themselves and misery and dshonor to those
connected with them by blood or alliance The authority
that could and ought to restrain them is not exercised
and those who allow the rens to fall loosely from their
grasp viii find day Of reckoning ahead which they have
to dread If the consequences OF these permitted
failares with vice could be confined to those who, by