Daily Iowa State Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1856-1859, 1858-04-10

TcCciNcu ycetcio0y Csou'"S' Wv" '"'
market reports, will be found on the
first page.
The Alarming increase Of Crime
The alarming increase of crime in
this country for the past two years, is
a matter deserving Of the serious con-
sidcrstion Of every thinking man in
this community.
Just at the present time--during the
progress Of a Religious awakening un-
paralleled in history, in the extent Of
its infuence-crimc seems peculiarly
bold, and of q rank and luxurious
growth. Yesterday we presented a
catalogue without precedent in the an
nails of crime.
In our capacity as the conductor Of
q Daily Journal, we we're called
upon to record the discovery of seven
murders,iin and about, the city Of New
York, alsne.
We also recorded murder in the
city Of st. Louis, another in Burling-
ton, and an outrage upon female and
a heavy robbery, in Illinois. Besides
these, our exchanges brought us &C
counts Of robberics, swindlcs, ARRAYS,
and misdemcanors so numerous, that
we had no room for them in our
columns
Matters have now reached point
where neither the life, or the property
Of the citizen is safe after nightfall.-
And indeed, the broad light of the sun,
and the presence Of crowd Of busy
life is not sure protection.
The murder at Dubuque, a few days
since, was committed in the day time,
in the centre ofa crowded city, and the
affray to which we have alreadysllud-
ed, was committed, under the open
sky at MONDAY.
For this alarming state of things
there must be a reason. And when
that reason is discovered it will be the
duty Of every citizen to use his every
endeavor TO remove the cause.
Various persons according to their
own particular hobbies, ascribe it to va
rious causes.
The Puritan of Massachusetts refers
it to the repeal Of the blue laws and
dates q commencement of an era Of
crime, at the time Of their aboreation.
The Temperance man, gets astride Of
his hobby and rides back to alcohol, as
a first canse for all the evil existing in
the land. And another refers it to the
extravaganza and luxury ofthe people;
aud others yet, to other causes.
Whatever influence, other causes
have exerted, we are inclined to think
that the great cause Of crime in this
country, and the one to which the
present increase of crime is chiefly
owing, is the loose manner in which
justice is administered by our courts
and juries and the too frequent inter-
ferance Of executive clcmency in be-
half of convicted criminals.
Among the many murderers who
have been arrested in different parts o.
the country, during the past two years
the average Of capital convictions has
been; but one in four, and in crimes
Of minor grade, the average has been
even less.
And ofen in cases, when, after a
fair and impartial trial, by ajury, per-
sons have been ajudged guilty Of cold
blooded and atrocious murders, the
arm Of Executive clemency, in three
cases out Of every five, has interposed
to save the criminal, whose sacrifice wa.
demanded by an outraged law.
Such state of things cannot but b.
an encouragement to the commission
| Of crime. If one man is allowed, will
lmpunity, to commit the highest crime
known to the law, others, encouraged
by his escape from the punishment fo1
his acts, will follow in his footsteps.
Ifman were by nature inclined to al
that is good, these cases Of illjudget
clemency would not exert SO bauefu
an influence but As long as the nature
of man impels him to the commission
Of crime, the fear Of punishment only
will deter HIM.
Justice speedily and surely executed
upon the undoubted criminal, will d.
more to preserve the good order o
society, than all other influences which
can be brought to bear upon the com
munity.
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