Clarksville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1865-1867, 1865-09-22
Gentlemen Of t1e Grand Jury

Gentlemen Of he Grand Jury a., az, nm ,
You have been elected, sworn and einpauelled a
grand inquest from the body of Montgomery
county; and it is now the business of the Court to
indicate 70 you the duties you ARG callsd upon to
discharge; /. M ~ VI
10 thc1apg,iegs ofthe oaih yoq lmveaaken, you
are to diligently enquire, and true presentment
make OF all offcnses, given you in charge, other
wise brought to your knowledge, committed or
riable in this county; you are to keep secret the
States counsel your fellows and your own; you
arc to present no one from hatred, malice or i'll
will, nor leave anyrunreMesentedi through fcar,
fvor or affection, or for ny reward or promise dr
hope thereof; you are to present 'the truth, and
nothing but the truth, according to the best of your
skill and understanding. 2 So st.-. ,gH
All this you have sworn to do, so you see, the
Law places you upon high mud important grounds
that your position as Grand Jurors is one of no
mean importance, but of great consideration, aud
high responsibility to your God and your country.
As under your oath you are 10 enquire into
offenses it is proper for the Court to say to yon,
that there ore two modes By which you may en-
quire into otfenses One is upon the knowledge Of
either all of you; the other upon the testi-
mOny of witnesses.
You scannet teommeueea prosecuton- -ppon your
own motion; unless, it is upon your own knowi.
edge except in special cases.. of which you will be
advised. Bnt yon are to diligently enquire of one
another, as to the knowledge you may, respectively,
have of-olenses and each one is to disclose to the
body an-hs oath. as grand jbteF Swhat violations
of the criminal law, may have ften under his OBJ
seryation. And should your body become satis-
fled from this INSTRUMENTATION, that any
indictabe oflense has hees ce.si;;s in this ceur
ty, you may eithef file airinfSnnal presentnlent on
which the States Attorney win file an Indictment,
or you may request him to prepare formal pre-
sentiments ~ Nvo s9TFTElpTgF UTY~
You tnnnot send for witnesses TO supply any de-
feet that may be found to exit in the testimony OF
one of your own body, othet than in the special
cases already hinted at to which your attention, is
! in this connection, called They are gaining
dpnEmg, gal votiags distiIbing public wofship
injliFits TO public buildings, taking unlawful toll
at turnpikes or toll bridge gates.
In these cases, it is made your dpty to send fol
witnesses, upon suspicion Of either of you, OF O
violation of the law in reference to them; and sif
out who IS the trafsgressior, i you can. See Code
sec. 50S9. - = 'i,iffr I'D
The Court will here reminl you, that you will
not present witness for any offence, in relation tc
which he may testify before you. g.pt rr,,l
1t Is your duty to east up in your minds, fhe con-
diton Of the public roads, ferries and turnpikes.-
And that you may inform yourselves as to youl
duties upon these points, you are referred to thC
Cole. Page 29l, Art, ~, and page 29I, Chapt I
You must not neglect TO read chapter 7, page
800 Of the code for the Importance of this chapte
Is such, that it is made the duty Of the Court h
give it specially in charge. lou will learn from
this chapter it is unlawful to sell or use bowie
knives, Arkansas tooth pics or other knife Of
weapon Of like shape or size This statute is NOR
fully given on page 851.i But in reference to th
provision Of the criminal law, the Court is embar
rassed, ana will therefore remark that II is doubt
ful whether it would be wise or even Just, te rigo
rously enforce the law in this partieuaE in asmucl
as II is held in society, that life and property de
pend, rnorc Or less, upon weapons OF defense
This is one of the unfortunate consequences of on
unhappy eivil war. The Court cannot do better
than to leave this subject to your own sound DIS
cretion, with the remark that the condition Of III
country, should enter largely into your delbera
tion, and control or modify yont action in severa
respects. While III some iustan es you might for
bear in Others, yon shoahibe very searching AM
soliclous 20 bring TO justice violators Of the law
A great deal Of law is founded in public policy
and II my Got he aihiss to remark, thatin the his
tory of country, time might occur when tn
measurment Of the enforcement OF. laws might b
directed by a wise and enlightened public policy
But GAUrrGsrObee sol murder, robbery, burglary
arson, &C., You should not show a sparng hand, TO
all this must stop TO saves olety and the supremac
of the law. Reference is very especially had I
thqsf acts eowmItted slane the leEminatioa Of y
; war. fc'i'arc ct1oined hot toldAsingie oirndd
escape. .
But as to offences before the termination of til
war, dQpe under color Of military authority III
Cout does no leel c,lei on to ads yse you, but vi
! leave the matter TO- your own discretion. How
ever, If person should appear A. prosecutor, an
MAKE proof that an ohense has been committed,
: will be your duty TO hnd true bill, and leave a
I questions growing out Of beligereht right TO !
settled 10 opyn court, upon argumenL What "