The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-06-16

~ 49, .~~S~~ .e~SOS
The St. Louis Republican takes occasion
in commenting upon the late tragedy 10 that
city, resulting in the los Of . very valuable
life, to say . few words about the duty
which men of substance and character owe TO
society-words that find an application here
a well Is 10 the community for which they
were written:
But the occasion is one. melancholy as it
il, that justifes us in submitting one or two
remarks. And, first, we assume that there
is too much negligence on the part Of our
best meu-those who ought to give tone
and direction to society In all its depart
ments-and that il is this negligence, this
disregard of the influence which might be
benefcially exerted. which is begetting so
unhealthy state of things everywhere. Let
US look about and see who It is that put
themselves forward AS guides Of public
opiniou--that public opinion which ought
to create q healthy sentiment, and keep in
check the rabble and disorganizing set who
always stand ready for mischief, no matter
what shape il may assume. Where are
theyf What are these men doing! Who
stand back when they ought to take the
lead on these occasions? Who make apology
for their indifference, and their Discrimination
to take part 10 public affairs, when it hap
pens not to suit their convenience or their
humor2 Is it any wonder that bad laws
are enacted, or laws 20 loosely framed that
any rascal may get through them, when COM
petent men, the best men in society, per.
sistently refuse to perform their duty to the
public, claim ", it may be, the poor privi-
lege of grun,bling when the task Is commit
ted to other and incompetent handsy
II is charged that any felon in the land
can get clear OF punishment, If he only has
money and sufficient number OF unscrupu.
lous advocates. But is not this owing to the
fact that there is o general inclination on the
part Of many respectable men In the COM
munity to avoid serving on juries, where,
above all other places, the dearest rights OF
individuals and the State, are disposed OF?
A mans reputation, his property, or bis life,
is constantly at risk in the Courts OF the
country, but how many citizens are ready to
step forward and protect the rights Of Others,
by doing duty as jurymen? We wonder,
frequently, at verdicts rendered, little think
ing .aa. By Standing cut against serving on
iuries, the chance is lost Of exercising our
own judgments in the case, and OF de,ermin-
ing what ought to be done between our
fellow men. In regard to this very matter
Of serving on juries, there is dodging-a
disposition to avail ones self of any pretext
to keep of q jury; but when great wrong
has been done to an individual, or feon
has escaped felons doom, by the interposi-
ton Of packed or inconsiderate jury, then
there is hue and cry raised from the very
parties who have neglected to perform their
duty 10 this particular.
The trouble il, our best men have been
acting on q wrong theory for years. 1t is
their duty to take part in public affairs--to
seek to direct and form public opinion-to
forego individual comfort for the general
weliare-to repress the efforts OF the de-
PRAYED and the reckless, when exerted for
their personal benefit or protection-and to
set the example, of doing, religiously, all
that the law and the good Of society requires
at their hands When they do this, we
shall have different state OF things, and not
fill then