Delaware State journal and statesman., 1867-12-03
pnIzn FIamTINo Nv DRLAwAnE.

We briefly announced in our edition OF
Friday that contemplated prize fight, be-
tween two brutes in human shape, had been
arranged totake place In hiscounty, on Wed.
nesday last. We also stated that Sheriff Her
bert hearing OF the matter, promptly pro- |
ceeded to the designated place OF meeting /
and prevented the brutal scene from being |
enacted in the State nj Delaware. II is for
tins act of courage and daring on the part
Of the Sheriff that we wish, in the name of
every decent and respectable man in New
Castle County and the State generally, 10
thank Sheriff Herbert. II seems TO come
quite opportunoly, and affords ample oppor-
tunity 10 the officials of other States to con-
| template the scope and influence of the laws
Of our State when exercised by an honest
and courageous officer
Delaware is suffering just now, by libel
Gus and greatly exaggerated statements con
cerning the morality OF our legal code; and
newspapers IN the north and east, taking all
they hear as truth, have their filings and jests
and jokes upon our State and people Just as
as they please, without much let or hind
rance. But the action Of the Sheriff in the
recent prize fight shows that, however bar
barous may be our laws, they cannot be vio-
lated ithimpunity by the barbarians, loaIers
and rascals Of other States. Without any
assistance whatever, excepting that of the
: keeper Of the county Prison Mr.. Joseph A.
Vinlug-SheriE Herbert went to the scene
of the proposed fight. took possession Of tho
ring, and with coolness and intrepldity
, worthy OF the highest praise, declared thai
he would arrest the first man who should
attempt to enter that ring with view
r to the violation Of our laws. His courage
ous daring and determined spirit over
. awed even the bullies and rowdies pre-
sent, and brought them 10 dead halt, st
i. far as their fighting qualities were exhibited
o lie was NOT in the least intimidated by tn
;. ieers, threats or other slang of the vagaoon'
crowd, but firmly held his position as til
n conseryator Of the laws. Finding that h
/. could not be frightened from his duty, til
Il next resource Of thieves and robbers wa
q brought into cquisition-money. We hay
y heard IL said that Eve thousand dollars wer
!. at the disposal oil the Sheriff on that occa
sion, if he would let the fight 60 on; and W
are told that large rolls Of greenbacks wer
constantly kept before his eyes and With
= his reach, and all he had TO do was to pocl
i ct the tempting bribes and leave the prem
e, ises. But the Sheriff was honest as well a
y firm. lie had taken an oath to maintai
oi tho laws and he determined that lie woul
!" not stain his conscience with perjury. Il
S did precent tho fight, and the brntcs and thel
IN bnckers sneaked OF to Pennsylvania, whei
c. officers and law makers arc purchased an
T. bribed to wink and connive at any outraG
Ut no matter how great or God-deiyng. n
IN combat took place in Chester County, and
far as VIC know the pugllists are still
ne large. II the police of other States who
H. newspapers nre constantly sneerlng at De
s, aware's lave and officers would but folio
the example OF Sheriff Herbert they wou
III have less timo and still ess occasion to cate
II up oil the trashy nonsense they may he
ly against our State, and instead OF using ha
words and casting innuendoes at our peopl
they might be employed in establishing
OF little more Of morality and official homes
nh for their communities and themselves.