The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-02-06
..rrinae in the North and South.

Crime IN the NOTlA tAIu c0u1h. 81 s4
Thsrspid increase Of crime IN the north
ern States far exceeds that In the southern,
Notwithstanding that political and social
aeitssions here are fruitful Of Irritation
and malice. Recently crimes at the North
have not only been remarkable for their
number. but for the horrible festures OF
many Of them. The whole nation is shocked
every day with their details-thst is, Il
the public mind has not become so used to
them that 1t has ceased to be amazed at
any monstrous deed that may be commit
ted. r.Ey
In New York she progress Of crime has
been very rapid, and the press there is de-
msnding more vigilant and efficient mea-
sures to put check upon it. Recorder
HAcx1TT, Of that city, in 8 recent charge,
portrayed the fearful condition Of things,
and, declaring that " delays in trial are in
imical to public safety" urged increased
activity, vigilance, and promptneea on the
part Of the administrators Of justice. BE
further recommends the citizens generally
to more carefulness.
The recent war no doubt filled the
North with . swarm of men who mean te
do no more labor il they can avoid it. They
live by their wits, including such arts a.
they acquired in the South in the profession
Of "bummers." Such lght-fngered gen
try will, in stealing, murder, If murder be
required for escape, or to succeed in steal
ing The vast army Of foreign recruits
which entered the military service of the
Federal Government contributed s very
large proportion to the multitude of crimi-
nals who now infest the North. The armies
Of the South, being composed almost wholly
of natives, Its disbandment returned upon
tho country fewer rogues ard murderers
than any military force Of equal numbers
ever did; and we have not the troubles
from that source which now affiict our fell
low.citizens (" of the North. Take Virginia
for example She has been so peaceful and
quiet that she has been almost forgotten at
Washington. The Congress only occasion
ally heard of her through the eager and
greedy demands Of the adventures "
who wanted to secure the public offices to
themselves by the utter disfranchisement
of her white citizens. Congressman no
doubt wondered why so quiet people were
thus to be oppressed yet, until the "nine"
appeared in the national halls they heard
but one story. n
Petit larceny has indeed increased very
largely-from obvious reasons but that In
no sense indicates any depreciation of the
moral sense of the true people of Virginia,
or any diminution Of their love Of order or
respect for the rights of others. Under
sense of injury-irritated by series OF
agitations Of the meanest character, sug-
gested by the meanest and most sordid
motives-these people have maintained
dignity and ssle-aontro! to dcgreo that has
not failed to impress itself upon intelli-
gent and just observers. This has been
therespecial subject of comment and eulogy
of the district commanders and their sub
altern officers. General SToNEMAN has
felt called upon to say that such was the
order and the respect for law in Virginia
that troops were unnecessary to enforce
either the one or the other.
How is it that with this contrast daily
presented to the people Of the United States
any man can have the hardihood to say
that the people of this State are not pre-
pared for restoration to political equality 7
That they cannot be trusted