The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1860-08-15

guilty or innocent, viii be destroyed,
and the multitude viii at one time bear OF
the popular Iayorite in triumph, though his
hands be stained with innocent blood; and
then, again, tear down the prison doors to
hang. contrary to law, one who has been
to take anuther's life in order to
save his own. Innocence is without prOtec-
ton, crime is without punishment.
No Government, State or Federal, can
be peaceable and happy which does not com
mand aud enforce obedience. What is it
but this spirit OF disobedience, OF which we
have been speaking. that has brought our
Federal Union into its present distracted
and unhappy condition The Constitution
and laws require the rendition OF fugitive
slaves. This Constitution AMI these laws
have been distasteful to the pablic sentiment
ia one section, aud they have been disre-
gar,led and defed. The law iorbds the
importation OF African slaves into the coun-
try, aud snme citizens IN another section
have violated this law and find sympathizers.
Who cannot see that had the fugitive slaves
been promptly surrendered. according to
law in one section, the importation, contrary
to law, would not have been attempted or
permitted in the others Ii the Government
will not or cannot enforce the laws ia one
section, how can it expect or claim respect
or obedience in anotherf As well nlght
the father, who INDUCED one son in open and
avowed contempt Of his authority, expect
| his other sons to continue respectful and
obedient. 1t is idle 10 pass laws il they are
not to be obeyed. aud Government itself is
failure when il does not or cannot enforce
obedience. To enact laws AMI then permit
their violation is but to educate the people
to entertain no respect for authority, and TO
invite TO violence and wrong. If the Legis-
lature pass iniudicious or oppressive laws
they should be repealed, but while they are
in existence it is the duty of every good
man to uphold them; and those who are
charged with their execution trltie with high
and solemn obligations when they hesitate
honestly and faithfully TO enforce them.
There is no liberty without law.
Now, gentlemen, when we examine our.
selves, do we not all have to confess that we
look with too much allowance upon public
offenders: DO we recollect that willful
violation Of law is serious injury to soci-
, ety. DO we teel that it should be punished
as matter OF principles And that what
the world calls mercy in such cases i
|. cruelty to society? Do We reflect that t.
, let one such offence go unpunished may pro-
JGce and frequently does produce many other
tofencesf That humane laws, consistently
and surely executed. prevent crime, pain,
and suffering: And when we begin, a
Judge or jurors, to find excuse for uillful
offenders, do we recollect that, instead oi
Executing the laws. we are assn ming the
pardoniag power, Ii my neighbor oifend
against me, do me wrong, have the right Il
forgive and pardon him-indeed il is my
duty to do so. But, If he offend sgaips
! the laws of the land, it is no longer priyat,
matter. and neither Judge n"r juror has au'
thority to pardon hun; aud il he do 50 hC
infiicts injury upon society. II man VIC
Iently strike. me, and knock him dawn.
have committed no crime. Ii he point hi
loaded gun at me AMI is about to pull tbs
trigger. when | cleave him to the earth ant
kill him, am not guilty. speak not o
those whose acts stand justified by reason
, and law, but Of mea who violate the law
|. without Just excuse. In every such cast
IMMUNITY invites to crime. Mercy to one i
injustice to many.
"These reflections, gentlemen, arise fron
. thorough convection that there must be OF
the public mind law -abiding temper am
4 disposition to render society secure an'
{ happy, and aur Government, State aud Fede
raj, permanent and prosperous. And il is 1
the absence Of this temper and dispOsitini
0 we NAV trace all the evils which threate
our Union. as we'll a. the violence and dis
/, order which disturb the peace and quiet d
, many sectinn, Of our country.