Weekly Trinity journal., 1857-06-27
Impunity Of Crime and Its Causes.

In reference to the administration of justice in
New York the Herald makes the following just
structures. The Herald's remarks, nj ght with
great propricty be applied to law as administered
in California:
The Burdell trial. which for the last few weeks
has excited 50 much speculation. is al an end and
we shall now probably only hear Of it as one Of
those mysterious events which for generations
furnish subject for wonder and awe to freside
listeners. We question whether the caUses ce'cJrcs
Of any country make mention OF any case more
singular or memorable When we consider the
Huparalled boldncss and fearlCssness of the decd,
the little apparent effort resorted TO to escape
detection, and the mystery in which it continues
Observation-Disclosures three protracted in
vcstigations it Will be regarded either one Of
the most successful crimes, or as one Of The most
lamentable failures OF justice on record.
With the verdict of the jury we have no fault
to fad 1t was strictly in accordance with the
evidence presented to them. Regarding that
evidence in all its legal hearings, we are bound
to arrive with the jury at the conclusion that Mrs.
Cunningham Is inncceut-innocent, at least. OF
any direct participation in this murder and that
conclusion, Of course. also legally abs0lyes her
partner in the accusation-Mr Ecklc. Mrs. Gun
nin2ham is, therefore, by the law. formally re-
stored TO the position from which the law tempo
Tarily degraded her. She will resume her place
anon lst her peers Of Bond street and the fash
iOnables Of Saratoga Springs, and it is probable
that the celebrity attached 10 her hy this trial.
far from njuriug. viii CnhaGcc the social success
ses Of herself and daughters. New ] ork society
is so singularly constituted that we must be pre-
pared for 2 such startling Inconsistencies.
Passing from the immediate results of this
quittal TO the parties concerned. to the more i'm
portant interests involved in it. we are compelled
10 say that the mana cement Of the case furnishes
a melancholy commentary on the manner in
which justice is administered in New FORK. With
the exception Of the conduct of the presiding
judge-which is deserving of all praise for its
even temper, impartialty and dccision--we do
not recOliect any important criminal case which
las presented such display Of mbeciity and in
elficeucy on the part Of the legal persons en-.
ployod. The prosecution seemed afraid Of prov
ing too much, whilst the defence, on the other
hand, was weakened by its efforts at cXaggera-
ton. After the strong statements made by the
District Attorney in his opening speech. more
was expected from the evidence for the pr0sccu-
tion than was disclosed in the testimony taken
before the Coroner. Instead Of the promised
developments, we find to our amazcment that not
only Is there nothing new 10 add to the evidence
against the accused. but that much that was pre-
viously considered important is withheld. The
testimony OF Farrell. the evidence regarding the
purchase Of the dagger, and the testimony of Dr..
Blaisdel. are all shut out from the record. Omis-
sions like these of course furnished an arm Of
strength to the defence and contributed in no
small degree to triumph which the little skill
arpGyed on that side might have failed in obtain
ing. Ii is impossible 10 read the opening state
ment Of Mr. Hall. and to compare it with the evil
deuce presented In support Of it, without arriving
at the conclusion that the case for the prosecu-
tlon was either got up a. . hand -gallop or pre-
pared with q careesSess which only finds its par
alle in the usual mode OF tFansaetipg business in
the District Attorneys Office