Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1858-12-03

crime is more frequent and of more va.
ried character than in times past, and
the use of deadly weapons in assaults
and ARRAYS much more common.
The frequent escape of criminals is
attributed, sometimes to the mistaken
leniency, over scrupulousness, Partially,
or corruption of juries and judges;
sometimes to the efforts and management
of wealthy and influential friends, or to
the improper interference of the pardon
ing power. / hope we shall never rem
der ourselves obnoxious to any of those
charges, applicable to us.
The most alarming case that | have
ever known, is the recent attempt in the
city Of Baltimore to rescue a criminal
convicted Of a capital offence, in the pre-
sence Of the Court before which he was
convicted, and the cool, deliberate as
sassination, by one of his comrades, of
the principal witness upon whose testi-
mony he was convicted. Such daring
attempt has never been made, nor has
such an abominable and alarming crime
ever before been committed in the State
of Maryland, and has its parallel no.
where, but in the atrocious conduct of
the free negroes and white fanatics in the
Northern States. Gentlemen, if the
judgments of our Courts are not sus-
tanned if any unlawful interference
with their execution is submitted to, our
greatest safeguard will be rendered pow
erless. The strongest man, or he who
can rally round him the most numerous
and efficient body of rufians, will use
their pleasure on the persons and proper
ty of their weaker fellow citizens. I
have no apprehension, however, that the
judgments of any Court in this county,
or circuit, will ever be forcibly interfered
with. | have too good an opinion of
the officers and people to suppose that
any such interference will ever be sane
toned or permitted.
Crime, ] have said, has not increased
in the counties in the same proportion
that it has in the cities; yet we have had
recent instances of criminal acts of q
heretofore unusual character. | refer to
the disturbance of religious worship at
camp meetings and churches. | had
before me in an adjoining county some
very atrocious cases of this character
but the prompt conviction by the jury
who tried them, and the exemplary pun
ishment imposed by the court, will be
likely to prevent their recurrence. These
offences, too, had been often repeated,
but were committed under the influence
of Intoxicating drinks, as, according to
my experience, ninety cases in hundred
are. There are other cases pending in
two counties, for running regular races
in the public roads in the immediate Vi
cinity Of camp meetings. to the disturb
ance of the meetings and the annoyance
of orderly citizens going to and fro. 49,
Some persons profess to think, and per
haps do think, that such meetings are of
no advantage. but rather prejudicial to
the progress of religion That, how
ever, is the business of those alone who
appoint and hold them. They do 50,
have no doubt, in the firm belief that
they no promote the interest of religion,
and are responsible for their consequent
ces. Many others attend these meetings,
not for the purpose Of religious worship
Some Of them for social purposes, ex-
pecting to find there large collection of
their friends and acquaintanccs; some
as an agreeable pic mic, for recreation
[ on1 otpreou,opf ou1 ocu,o g.. 4r,o bopoG
Of their health. The holders Of the
meetings do not scrutinize their motives !;
they tolerate and ever welcome their pre-
sence, and ever overlook slight violations
Of the rules, so long as they deport them
selves with general propriety, in the
hope that good may eventually result
These meetings are lawful, recognized
and protected by spcciai cnactmeatS. All
offences committed there against the laws
Of the land, in addition to the preventive
measures authorized by these special en-
actments, are indctablc in this Court
have attended several camp meetings
in this county, and am gratifcd to be
able to say that | have neither seen Or
heard Of any serious misconduct there,
Of any Of its Inhabitants The conduct
Of those who come from distant places to
dispose Of spirituous liquors there for the
purpose Of gair, in contempt of the re-
ligious character Of the meeting, of re-
ligion itself, and Of all deccncy and pro-
pricty, and in violation of the laws Of
the State, cannot be too severely repre-.
hended and richly deserve the full pun
ishment which the law awards to them.
Before leaving this subject, | must state
fact highly crcditable to one of the
counties in this circuit. At the last term
of Calvert County Court, the grand jury
adjourned on Tuesday morning, finding
but one presentment, and at the proceed.
ing term very few were found, and those
of q trihing character, not indicating
any moral dcprayity.
will now call your attention to an
other subject. The juries in this State
are summoned by one man, the Sheriff
Of the county, without control The
Court has no power to interfere with his
selections, and but little to correct the
errors into which he may fall lie is
not however free from all restraint or
exempt from punishment for wilful vio-
lations Of bis duty
Besides the official oath which all pub
lie officers are required to take, he was
required by the act Of 1893, CHI. 81, to
take an oath, to be returned to and re-
corded by the clerk, nearly identical in
terms with that which he was required
by the Act Of 1898, ch. 275, TO take in
omen COurf at the commencement of each