The New York herald., 1870-09-09

Judge Hedfcrds Eloquent and Stirring Charge
to the Grand Jury-Ths Wanton Use of the
Knife snd Pistol to be Checked--The
Grand Jury Called Upon to Enforce
the Law ct All Hazards.


the City Judge took his seat the bench promptly
at the hour for opening the General Sessions So
anxious s Judge Bedford TO cooperate with the pro-
scouting officers OF this city and county In disp0sing
OF the criminal business that, although smarting
under recent severe bereavement in the loss OF hs
father, Dr. Bedford (who was distinguished not
ouly for cmlnence in his profession, but for life OF
unwearled devotion to the interests or the suffering
poor OF the metropolis he was found In his seat
yesterday to resume the discharge OF the onerous
and responsible duties OF the criminal Judge. II any
proof were needed of the universal esteem In which
the City Judge Is held, it was furnished by the
crowded condition Of the court room ana the sup.
pressed emotions OF sympathy which were visible
upon the countenances Of lawyers, jurors and
citizens.
THE GRAND july PANEL.
The first business in order.was the empaneling Of
the Grand Jury. The following are their names:--
George d. II. Gillespie. foreman; Edward Anthony,
Isaac Bernheimer, Anson s. Brown, Willard L. Fcit
Henry Hart Henry Hart mo. p. Gustave Kcnigs-
berger, George M. Leventrll, Joseph A. NonheImer,
Gilbert Oakley, David b Paige, Thomas NJ Part.
ridge, Harvey BarnOre, Justus L. Buckley, Cornelius
G. Colgate, Thomas b. Cooper, William Oeary. Fred.
erick NJ Jones, Adolph Kuster, William p. Lyon
George d. Nichols, Dennis w. O'Halaran.
Judge Bedford then delivered the following i'm
portant and timely CHARGE
Nh. FOREMAN AND GENTIEMEN OF THE GRAND
IL Is usual on the opening Of each term OF this
court for the presiding Judge to offer few general
observations 10 the Grand Jury reference TO their
upon them. do not think II necessary to make q
heightened address to you with regard TO those du
moment been administered 10 each and ali Of yon
very broadly indicates the measure OF your respOn.
siSties , and VIII no doubt awaken Tso yoa to aust
II ~ made my duty according TO law to direct your
attention especially TO all offences against the excise
and usury laws, the laws TO preserve the purity Of
elections the laws lorbddag lotteries and the tax.
ing Of illegal fees by public officers ana the law
passed In ls6O prevent frauds In the sale of tckes
upon steamboats, and other vessels must also in
orn 1ou that 1t Is q misdemeanor for any Grand
an indictment having been found for felonv aoansi
any person not in actual confinement until such
person snail be arrested.
learn that the City Prison Is In q very crowded
c0nuiCion ana large number oil persons awaiting
your action. many OF whom are charged with the
alleged criminal use OIL the knife and pistol. The
daily press TEEN with the fearful dongs OF these
deady wcapOns-denOnstrating The startling fact
aaS neGe seems TO BE- as It were 6S. murder IN sne
u class, and, regret to say, large cl ss OF
men who have no respect for the laws OF Goa
or man; they violate both because in their
waywaidness they believe they can do so with
impuuily. The time has unquestIonably ar
rived when the authorities III order 60 preserve
the ture welfare OF society," are called upon to mete
out 10 these men the utmost rigor OF the law, in
order that they may realize at once the solemn ana
truthful lesson that "the way OF the transgressOr s
hard.n Let their minds be thoroughly mDued with
the fact that il they will persist In the wanton use OF
the knife and the PISTOL IN violation Of all law and
order, the authorities will, In turn make them taste
the bitter fruits Of their own msdeeds, even to the
most letter OF the law. In this way and In no
other can the strong arm oil the law prove at once
9gis for the peOpe and terror to the evil dOer.
Gentlemen, each one OF you has deep interest in
the preservation OF the law; you owe IL to the peo-
pie to whom you now stand in the sacred relation of
guardians to see that the law be enforced at all haz-
arus and that this wanr0n use OF the knife and pis-
tol be emphahcally checked by your prompt and
righteous action Most OF yOu no doubt, are blessed
with families. Your wives and little ones, whose
welfare you guard as you do the very apple OF your
eye may, at any moment, during the present epide-
abandoned. Their only safety their very pro. &C.
ton Is in the sovereignty OF the law.
Gentlemen In these days OF lawlessness do your
duty raise your alipOwerful arm In the great battle
OF law and order against crime and criminals; strike
the blows which Will force crimc to succumb, and
mails Will disappear like frost before the midday
in doing this You Will prove TO the lawabidlng cti
Zens OF this great metropolis that in the hour of
peril, when dangers threaten life, liberty ami
property, Grand Jury Is, indeed, the true bulwark
OF society.
tOrney and his assistants Will cheerfuy ald you IN
your efforts to stem the current of crime by speedily
presenting petit jures the indicted parties, ana
on all proper occasions the Court will promptly
mete out punishment full and equal to the offence.
In this way viii the lawless portion OF the commu-
nifty learn that there is no escape rO the rigid and
emphatic demands Of justice
The charge was listened to with profound attcn-
tion especially when his Honor alluded TO the deter
mnation OF the authorities to punish with increased
severity those who wantonly use deadly weapons