, 1859-06-08

The St. Louis Tragedy--A Lay Sermon.
The st. Louis Republican takes occasion. in
commenting upon the late tragedy in that city,
resulting in the loss Of very valuable life, to
say few words about the duty which men cf
substance Of character owe TO socicty-words
that lind IN application here rs we'll as in thc
community for which they were written:
but the occasion is one, melancholy a, it ;s
tbat Justities us in submitting one Or tyo ~,
marks' And, first, we assume that there is too
hnuch negligence on the part Of our best men
those who ought to give tone and direction to
society IN all its departments TINT it is this
negligence, this disregard Of the influence which
might be benegcially exerted, which is bceet
ting SO unhealthy state Of things eyerywhere
Let US look about and see who It is that mi
put themselves forward as guides Of public
opinlon-that public opinion which ou;tbt to
create healthy sentiment, and keep in check
the rabblc and disorgunizing set who always
stand ready for mischief, no matter wtnt sha1o
II may nssumc. Where ure they: What arc
lneSe men DONG: Who stand back when they
ought to take the tile lead on these occasionss
Who make apology for their indifference. and
tnelr d'sincl!nation to take part in public af
fa1rs, when 1t happens not to suit their ron.
yenlcnce or their humor: Is it any wonder
that bad laws are enacted, or laws 50 iou<eIy
framed that any rascal may get through them.
when competent men, the best men in society
perslstently refuses to perform their duty to
the public, claiming, it may be, the poor priyi-
legs Of graw.ting when the task is cornnittau
to other mud incompetent hands.
IL !s charged that any ieion in the land ran
GET clear OF punishment, if he only has money
oha sntlclent number Of unscrupuIous advn.
Gates. But is not this owing to the fact. th,t
there Is general inclination on the mart of
many respectable men in the community tn
ayoid serving on juries, where, above all otber
tae State are disposed Of. A mans reputation
ms property or his life, is constantly at risk in
1ne The Courts Of the country, but how many
citizens are ready to step forward and nrotcct
the rights Of others, by doing duty as iurymens
we wonder frequently at vefdicts rendered II.
tie thinking that by standing out against sery-
ing on 1arles, the chance is lost Of exercising
our own Judgments in the case, and Of deter.
mining what ought to be done between our I'll.
low men. In regard to this very matter of
serving on juries, there is dodginS--a disposi-
tion to avail ones self of any prcic.t tn Eeo,,
on jury; but when L great wrong la. hee,,
done to an individual, or felon has cscuned -
telon's doom, By the interposition Of packed NJ
lnconsldcrate jury, then there is hue aud cry
to perform their duty in this particular ee'ea
The troubleis, our best men have hoo, oc+.
ing on wrong theory for years. It is their
duty to take part in public affairs-to seeI r.,
direct aud form public opinion-to foreen in5i.
Vldua' comfort fur the general wclfareEto 70.
press the efforts Of the dcprayed and the reck-
less, when exerted for their personal benefit er
to set the example, Of doing
all that the law and the aood a. e.
ciety requires at their hands. When t,,ex e a.
this, ne shall hare q different state of tl;na' ~
and not till then. 'A"s''