Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1859-05-07

hope to see adopted henceforth as a peculiar sle
ment Of American Jurisprudence.
The only approach to a legal justification Of the
murder, apart from Mr.. Graham's plea that Sicket
was insane-which lie Immediately rendered mug
| gatory by the enthusiasm with which he demon
stated that Sickes was rather inspired than in
sane, pired to execute the Divine will by hi.
profound study of the Hebrew Scripture-was in
troduced by Mr.. Brady in arguing that the Der
ringer pistol belonged TO Mr.. Key, ani that the
homicide might have been the result of an
armed encounter between the parties This was
ingenious though not ingenious for we believe it
is pretty well known to everybody that the Derrin'
ger belonged to distinguished official Of this city
who lent It, a few days bef6re the murder was
committed u the accused. As the jury, however,
assert that they had made up their minds to an
acquis;al six days ago, that is, befsre the rehut
ting evidence WAS put in, and before the points Of
law we're expounded by the counsel on either side
or 5y the Court, we doubt whether Mr.. Brady's
adroit stratagem had any effect upon the issue. 1t
was q foregcns conclusion without his eloquence,
and, so far as legal forms end precedents con.
cerned the Court would have saved the community
she exhibition of good deal of solemn farce if it
dict before the trial.
OF the extraordinary demonstrations which fol-
lowed the verdict-the dancing of Mr.. Stanton be-
fore the court, like David before the ark"-the
shout of the crowd for "a speech" from Sckles-
the offer to unharness the horses from his carriage,
that the men might take the places of the brues
the noisy calvacade rushing and hu:raing down
the avenue-the gratitude of the old fruit-seler
who presented a basket Of oranges to the man
'who had taught him how to defend his family
honor"-tho crush Of "wealtby and respected cit
izens" to pour in their congratulations the sere.
made of the lawyers, who made addresses from the
steps or windows of the ho:el--and of many other
incidents and scenes which had no parallel in this
city even when the prize6ghters got up their ova.
ton to the memory of Bill Poole-we do not care
to speak. There was bu! one thing in the whole
disgraceful parade which meets our unqualified
appreciation. and that is kindly reported by writ
er in the Times, who says ''some ono in Il Q crowd
proposed groan of execraton for the Ecening
Post, which was bitterly responded to-. On su n
an occasion the EUening Post would be sorry to re-
ceive any peculiar marks of favor.
These, however, the foolishnesses of individ.
uals. What the public is concerned With is the eff.
feet of the determination of the Court on
law and morals 1t is solemnly announced as
IN established principle of American law that pr
vate revenge is right. Our society is remtted
back to the barbarous ages when faustrecht or the
strong arm, was the recognized method Of redress.
ing wrongs. Those safeguards and defences which
the experience and wisdom of centuries has slow.
ly built up around the weak, which are necessary
to the protection of every man against rash judg
mente and impulsive violence, which secure TO the
meanest offender o dispassionate and impartial
Investigation Of the offences with which he may
be charged which mark the distinction between
civilized state and condition of mere savagery,
are struck down at one fell swoop; and every hus.
band who may fancy himself injured, though he
himself be tho oulest i5ertine on the face Of the
earth, is told that he may shoot and slay at his
own will.
But is this exemption, let US ask to be extend.
ed only to the men? Are not wives, as we'll as
husbands, to be included in it's large and liberal
provisions? If Mrs. Sicklea, for instance, should
take into her head to apply pistol to the brains
of several ladies whom she might have reason to
suspect, would she be held accountable for the
sulti Why is the poor Van Wort, who shot Ed,
gar the other day for making free with his domes-
tic affairs, still retained in the Tombs? The prin.
eiple declared BY the jury, if worth anything at
ALL must be universally applied, and then, instead
Of courts sitting in solemn Judicial inquiry, we
shall have enraged individuals walking tie streets
with battery of fire arms about them, and scatter
ing death as it may suit their suspicious, their
malice, or their desire for shameless notoriety.