Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-07-08
Disregard of Law.

E5One of the most fearful signs OF the times,
which thrusts itself to the view of every reflect
ing mind, is the want of respect for the laws
that seems to peryade every section OF the coun-
try. We do not aliude to fragrant crimes COM
mitted by desperadoes, in bold defiance of law
and in full view of the penalties attached to
their misdeeds; such crimes may be looked for
as long as there are bad men in the world. We
refer more directly 10 that want of confidence
in the efficiency of the laws to protect the peo-
pie in their rights of person and property, which
engenders dsrespect for them and leads the
best of our citizens to trample them under
foot as thing of naught. 1t is lamentaby true
that in all parts of the country Vigilance Com
mittees are taking the place OF the Judges, the
iures and the Courts of justice. Men supposed
to be guilty Of crime are tried by self constitu-
ted tribunal, convicted by q popular vote, con-
deinned to death for offences punishable by the
laws of the land with milder penalty, and often
hung without the privilege Of a moments pre-
paration for eternity. So common has the dis
position become to do away with trial by jury
in criminal cases, that in short time no such
causes will be found upon the dockets OF our
Courts, and no such persons DO consigned to
our jails and penitentiaries. When man COM
mits an offence, or is strongly suspected by the
people, instead OF the old-fashiened mode OF
bringing him to punishment, he is at once taken
in hand by mob, hurried to the place OF exc
cution and hung b. the neck until he Is dead
The law is too slow in its operations Tor ms
fast age the verdiets of the juries too often
come into conflict with public sentiment; and
hence the people feel themselves authorized 10
do away with the announcement and tedious
forms of law. This may be q moro economical
and progressive way OF doing such business, but
it is fraught with untold dangers to society, aud
ought to be discountenanced by every man who
desires to protect himself and his family in the
undisturbed enjoyment of all their rights
But our object now is to enquire what has
given rise to this want of confidence in the pow
or of the law to protect the innocent and PUNISH
the guilty2 The Immediate cause is,beyond all
question, the failure Of those appointed to en-
force the laws in the firm and fearless perform
auce of duty We believe that no circumstances
can exist where the law does not furnish to the
aggrieved citizen, or to society, ample redress
and protection. There is o legal remedy for
every real evil with which society may be al
flicted but the misfortune is that the remedy Is
not appled-the law is not faithfully executed
by its judicial and ministerial officers. And the
question here arises, why is this sof we an
swer that, in great measure, it is the fault OF
the people themselves who are so loud In
their complaints of the insuthciency OF the
laws. They elect their own public officers,
and if they would put in the right sort ofmen-
men who would perform their whole duty with
ont s'fear, favour or affection nights soon
be different state of affairs. If the laws don't
answer the purpose for which they were de-
signed, let them be altered and amended; If the
laws are good but the officers fail to execute
them faithfully, let the people turn the officers
out and put in those who will do their duty
We have no idea, however, that the fault lies IN
the law. A machine may be perfect in all its
parts, but it can perform none OF its functions
until the motive power is applied. So in regard
to the laws; the system of criminal jurispru-
deuce is doubtless as nearly perfect as could be
devised by human wisdom, but it will be of nc
effect if the Magistrates, and Judges, and Sher-
ifs, and Constables are afraid to do their duty
for fear of losing votes at the next election.
However inefficient the laws may be, then
it is plain that the proper remedies for the evil
may be applied by the people themselves-no'
by the organization of Vigilance COMMITTEES
and outraging the laws themselves, but in an
authorized and legal way-at the ballot-box.-
If the laws need amendment, elect men at the
polls to change them-if the officers OF the law
fail in their duty, elect men at the polls in their
stead. Here are the remedies for all the evils
which are so often urged in palliation and justi-
cation of Lynch Law Vigilance Commitsees,and
other organizations designed to take the place
of theslaw and its officers.