Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1858-02-25
County Jurors.
d;{0r of the Freeman

10 the Edii0r 81 INC FTeeHd"
As the selectmcn and civil authority of the
different towns in this State are about to dis
charge a most important trust, permit me to call
their attention to the subject. The Legislature
have wisely confJed to the board of selectmen
and civil authority, the duty of selecting ju-
rors for the County Court. ''The trial by jul
ry says an eminent Judge, Z" is regarded as a
right of inestimablc value, and the best and
only security for life, liberty, and property"
Saws an eminent writer 6 In vain and to no
purpose would jurors be brought into court,
if, when there, they were ascertained to be un-
worthy or incompetent. 10 answer the re-
quirements of the law the demands of the pub
lie, and the just expectation of the parties,
they must be good and lawful men, free from all
exception. That is, they must be upright and
of fair refute, as shown by their conduct and
standing in the community where they live, con-
scientious as to the sacredness of an oath, of
ability to comprehend and decide intelligently
the matters submitted to them, and every way
fitted for the complete and faithful discharge of
their duties" The selection of jurors being
| an official act, the members of the board act
under their oath of Office. In vain do We Sc
lect our ablest men to decide the law, if the
facts are to be determined by men of inferior
qualifications The titles of Grand, and Petit,
jury is misnomer. 1t originally had, and still
has reference mainly to the number, necessary
to constitute the pannel, to discharge their re-
spective duties. The Jury, consisting of the
largest number, merely prepares business to be
laid before the traverse-jury, for final decision.
1t must be apparent that the latter is the most
important us well as the most honorable Office.
and should be esteemed as such, by the com
munity. They stand as the guardians and ar
biters of the rights of the people.
No man can be deprived of his life, liberty
or property, but by the judgement of his
Peers This is name sometimes given to jurors.
The jury consisting of eighteen, are merely
accusing spirits, and though their duties are
Important in asffee government, they cannot
e compared with those Of the jury who try
rheacases.s Our just rights and liberties may
be regarded as safe, DO long only as able, honest
and faithful jurymen are selected to sit on the
trial of cases in the County Court. As you
act under your oath of Office do your duty
faithfully. Suffer no mans name to be put
into the jury box, by whom you would be un-
willing to have your dearest rights tried. Re-
member that you are selecting a board to try
The rights Of others. When our selectmen and
civil authority 50 far neglect their duty, as to
select incompetent and unworthy jurors, the
% inestimable" right will be brought into dis
repute, and we may in vain talk of popular
sovereignty. 1t will be but a name, a delusion.
1t is more important to have jury of the
requisite qualifications in the County Court
than to have an mnent Judge to preside in
that court. The errors of the Judge may be
corrected by the Supreme Court, but the decis-
ion of the jury, though erroneous, is, a gen.
eral rule, final and conclusive. Let every man
do his duty fearlessly and tn thoroughly. When
the select men and civil au thority meet to dis
charge this important trust, canvass the mer-
its Of every man, who is presented as a fit per-
son to place on the watch-tower of liberty
JUSTICE.