The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-02-01
LEGAL INTELLIG .ENoE.

low.-The February term OF the CJurJ was
low, who after the Grand Jurors had been
sworn and affirmed, proceeded to instruct
them upon their duties. Passing the generall-
ties incident to every such address an coming
10 particulars which he desired to impress
upon the minds Of the Jurors, he spoke as fol-
lows;-
Much has recently been said about the pre-
valeDce Of crime IJ Is true that in this great
warfare carried on between Vice and virtue,
vice has had her carnival. Especially in our
great cities we have been called upon TO hear,
dsy by day, the evidence of some outrage per-
petrated by persons who live here, or VINO are
casually visiting the large cities upon our sea-
board This is to be expected. long
thrown out of employment, and those of the
population who are vicious have taken advan
tsge of the circumstance, and have attempted
TO plumber the virtuous. fear som metimes there
has been too much delay in the execution OF
the sentences which have been pronounced
according. to law. l fear at other MmeS,
that men convicted of the highest
eonnrdtna fo law fear sso TSai ne
thies of a vast number of good citizens nave
been invoked In behalf of those who are
actually imprisoned, and perhaps all of us are
To blame In that we have ient too ready an ear
to the applications that have been made for
pardon, and that some men who ought to have
been retained In custody have been discharge'.
Now, gentlemen. l do not mean To say CnaC
we ore not TO be merclGul. Mercy is a Divine
attribute. II is our duty TO treat every man,
particularly fallen men, with every considera-
lioD, Win just regard to m The % interests OF the
said and done, II seems ID me that
We, perhaps, In our endeav to
treatment of criminals, have Rono In O diff.
ferent direction, aud have allowed too many
No sooner is man convic,ei of the highest
crime known TO the law, than every
him from just punish ucent. This indeed, is
very merclfnl TO him, but what becomes of the
m man % VINO mas mas been ,R maraeredg No sooner has
brutal murder than our sympathies are
enlisted for his rescue. but what becomes
AF m mo NUh hng
eternity, and his wife and children? The mo-
ment some institution is roboeu, or some citl-
by good people to rescue o. at man from punish
ment Why should that be? Have we no mercy
10 %sSS;ul DsssST upon the the %a hot
is 1t with regard to the men. women, aud
children who sleep under the protecting wing
the rescue of the criminal, and ignore those
who demand and must receive our protection?
Gentlemen, we are accused of being severe
Why, have eeen the judges of this Court
almost break down under the load
ofsentencing some man because they knew the
punishment would fail heavier upon his family
than himself But unless they did their duty,
what would become of the pro ection, to pro.
perty and life which every citizen is bound to
have under the law OF the land?
Now IL is wel-known fact that the inmates
OF our County Prison and Peditentisry, In this
county at least, live better than the honest, In.
dustrious poor of the community. No man
be 'd done TO make the man n Who L 'Ie%,a feion
f.
gre ssor shall be hard 8 ,me pnilanthropists
think that though this law Is Divine, 1t is out
OF date What right has, has the pick pocket who
this Court, to expect that he shall be
sentenced to term OF years in the
with very slight labor spend the time aud be
discharged to plunder again? 1t may be arsh
require professional thief robber, or burglar
10 understand that when he is in prison he is in
that looks Lho reformation Of the 10
false one. In my Judgment.
eide cases have been tried In this Court one OF
them occupying sixteen days aud another
twelve. the Court being mployed night and
criminal court has been opened and carried on
in this county, and am informed that 5iS bills
All ask now-and am sure there will be but
one answer TO the questton-is, will you not
dutyP All ask OF the District Attorney is that
he will pT ess on as he has done with the busi-
ness Of the Court the duty Of u 59e Officers Is
shs. @ They they shall be Ssiisat "yoFsi day ani
Court, Petit Jurors Mayor. Police. Detectives,
to act with one mind, one win, and a singeness
of purpose, and then II shall be that the magls.
trate beareth not tbe sword in vain. and that
while mercy shall be meted according to the
circumstance @ of of the case; justice shall also be
to look TO us tfor protection; so that wnen
your families, women and children. walk the
they shall feel that there is an arm powerful
enough to protect them even In their deepest
slumber. II can be done by united eternal vigil
lance, which fears nothing and does all.
now dismiss You TO the discharge of your
duty ought to say to You that in homicide
cases the bills presented 30 you charge simply
murder, therefore you have nothing to do with
the degree. or the question OF guilt or limo.
ceuce. In m,sdemesnors you have control OF
the costs.
The grand jurors then retired to their room,
and the Court adjourned until to morrow
morning.