Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1858-03-03

CHARGE OF JupsE CRAWFORD TO THE GRAND
JuRY.-Subjoined We give the charge of Judge
Crawford, delivered at the opening of the March
term, and copy of which was solicited by the
jury for publication
GeHtlsH,E Of the Grnnd Jury: A very short
vacation brings the different branches of this tri-
bunal to their several duties. As each shall rem
der the appropriate service so will be the result
of our combined endeavor. Ii the proper spirit
IL the anmating motive of all who are officially
engaged here; If we respectively determined.
so far as may be practicable, to reach every one
who has been guilty of a crime, without thinking
OF men or looking to consequences. and sedulous-
~ pursue this object, we may reasonably hope
that our Efforts to promote the public welfare will
not be fuitless
have, therefore, remarked, on occasions like
tne present, that the certainty of punishment has
had a stronger restraining influence those
vlciously Inclined than the severity of tine pen
allies visited upon convicts. This observation
experience seemed to justify; but the recent de-
clension in moTals-not greater, and | think not
30 great, here elsewhere, but lamentably
growing worse-seems to warrant the opinion,
that to certainty should be added increased
severity. A combination of remedial agents is
called for by the circumstances Of the day; and,
perhaps, this union of the chief means for re-
pressing crime may be found to operate more
bensfcially than either separately, which, how
ever used, have been less effectual hitherto than
all good men could desire.
This conviction has pressed itself so conclu-
sively upon the Court that II has been &C ed upon
wherever there was discretion. The punis hment
AWARDED throughout the last term, were more Sc
we're than i had thought my duty Heretofore
required me to make them, especially in relation
TO riotous conduct and drunken brawls with the
use Of firearms or other deadly weapons, which
has become alarmingly prevalent, and in which
II Is matter OF deep regret that the principal
participants are youth or very young men-some
OF whom are now expiatiDg their graceless aud
wicked conductin the Jail and penitentiary. The
Court will pursue the same course for the future
and those whs subject themselves to the disci-
pline of this tribunal, may be assured that if
they will perversely and wickedv continue or
fall into the evil courses of life that are so de-
structiye to themselves and injurious to society
they shall be made to feel the weig hit Of the laws
condemnation, even, in cases which call for IT,
10 the utmost limit to which legal authority will
warrant the Court in giving. What if they re-
nect az all, these young delinquents can promise
themselves in the future, or how or by what Tea-
son parents, who are main lv cupabl-, can justify
their negrect OF duty to their offspring, it is dif
cult even To imagine. The ruin of their sons
and the wretchedness and disgrace Of themselves
are the certain fate Of both
There is a laxitv of morals apparent through
out the world, You can scarcely look into a
newspaper without meeting notices Of embszzle-
ments Of funds, by those who have been en-
trusted with the safe keeping and disbursement
of money in banking and other institutions.
which use large sums in the every day transac-
tions Of their business Men who, in long lives.
and by supposed honorable conduct, made for
themselves enviable regulations, and been re-
gardrd as deserving Of the fullest confidence
have been discovered in the pecuniary manufac-
turing, and mercantile walks-and even in the
TsIisious-to he utterly unworthy of trust; and
not to have fallen by a single act of dereliction
Out TO have been corrupt for longer shorter De-
Rods OF time-thus manifestng deliberate trans
erosion that shoe rs The moral sense Of mankind,
aid oodes no good to US In years to come.
III the recent developments, of fraud shall result
In hoiding men to stricter accountability and
closer and persistent observance Of integrity, il
Will be valuable Offset 10 the pecuniary revolu-
ton which has brought about these disclosures
w ben YOU see that those for whom YOU had
right TO expect most have fallen away and sunk
Into disrepute and contempt, you may calculate
with reasonable certainty upon the moral faint
running down through others who are less for
tundte In a worldly sense, who have smaller
stakes In the social relations of life who have
fewer props TO keep them erect, Who have not
received the advantages OF education and worse
than all, who have not felt the estfaining arm
Of home influences, nor have had the benefit Of
parental or guardian guidance In their approach
TO ana entrance upon the sage Of manhood
Neglect in this particular is the prolific source
OF crime, and the broad high way to the peniten-
tdTy ana an ignominiOus death. Bad associa-
rons lead Immediately to intemperance and
that emboldens to the commission of every sim
which Is still further prompted by the united
action OF the bad and the thoughtlesS. Force
and violence sought To be substituted for the
laws Of the land. and il behooves all coed men,
and especially those who. Ike YOU and me- are
entrusted with power, tina, we may subServe the
best Interests Of the community by holding up
a. examples to Others those who shall be proved
To be Justly amenable TO tue law, to be p.Iticu-
larry vigi1dnt To do whole duty
While tue crying snence Of the passing time Is
the one just welt upon, there are not wanting
Others OF which more or fewer always en- ,,ye the
attention of Grand Juries, and among the COM
plants that shall be presented to YOU some will
probably be found that the public have little or
no interest in. These will, OF course, he the sub
Jects Of investigation, but it is respectfully SUBJ
mitted that II You shall thiak they do not concern
society, and rha, good will follow their PROS
ecution before the petit jury they should be dis
missed
Th. eases that will be brought to your notice
will be, according to past experience, in large
proportion not remarkable for deep atrocity nor
yet free fsom tn. dark stain OF crimes. Such are
the violations Of the hts OF property by simple
theft distinguished from bui glary, robbery,
and the like high offences, aud violent attacks On
the person without endangeTing life. or limb, or
female purity. These, in the 2eneI al, you will
be able 60 dispose of satisfactorily to your own
consciences and public justice without much
difficulty, exercising only the diligent scrutiny,
which should be- invoked in every case Other
charges Of mixed cha racter, such making
and passing counter feit money, forgery, aud oi.
tanning money and other property by false PIE
fences. will require not ferent rule of action
but more iabofious examination of the compli-
cation Of circumstances IN which those who per-
petrate these offences usually seek Immunity
flom the penalty Of the law.
or the great crimes which 20 beyond those re-
ferred to, and may, in their consrq urnces, even
reach the lives Of the part. accused, ii is
sary to say only word. On the preparation Of
such acts and the nlst announcement Of their
commission opinions are expressed Of their afro
CITY these are, however, but the testimony of
worth and virtue against vice, and 20 the neees
sity of upholding society by the stern inhiction
of whatever punishments are ordained for ascer-
tanned guilt. The forming OF opinions under all
the responsibilities Of official duty, and the max
ing Of decisions that must be followed by liked
legal consequences $, are of different and very
grave character They must he pr csded by the
most rigid scrutiny, ducted calmly and deliD-
eTaiely AZ cautiously they are important and
az .mly As justice demands. Such considrra-
tion, I am confident, such charges, should they
be made, will receive from you
Permit me, in conclusion, gentlemen Of the
Grand jury, to suggest that your service al this
term be made a. short as a proper discharge Of
the duties IL imposes will allow. 49,
CRIMIS4L CoURr.-To-day, the Court met at
the usual hour, and after the calling Of the and
Jury the witnesses in the case Of the United
States as. Powers, which was yesterday post
poned until to- day, Were discharged till further
notice. The Court was waiting for business
when this report closed.