The New York herald., 1870-08-02
The Mysterious Narder-Jndso Bedford's
Charge to tho Grand Jury.

Tae mysteraous bluroer-JudSo booiorus
| Charge to tho Grand Jury.
The present agitation of the public mind In
view Of the late terrible tragedy in Twenty
third street would naturally lead US to expect
that the presiding Judge Of the Court OF
Sessions would embody the facts of this horri-
bic murder in his message from the bench to
the Grand Jury. Judge Bedford has done moro
than this. Without omtting the most important
questions which viii undoubtedly come
before the Grand Jury, he dwells
upon the fact that this tragedy Is not solitary
instance Of the depraved condition Of certain
portions of the community. He cites 1t very
wisely as but an evidence Of the demoralized
atmosphere In which we live. He reminds
the jury that every one Of them "sworn as
grand jurors should fully realize the condition
of things in this city. The lawless class are
becoming daily more daring and reckless
They must be checked In their mad career.
The protection of society and the future well
fare of the metropolis depend In great measure
upon the prompt award Of punishment for
crime; and the people look to the authorities
for protection. Let them not look In vain. Let
every official in these trying times prove him
self worthy Of the peoples confidence"
The people look TO the police and the courts
Of law for protection against lawlessness
and violence. Whether they have put their
trust In a delusion Is questionable; but there
is much reason to believe they have from the
criminal records of the past year or two. Muir
ders Of the most fearful character have been
perpetrated In the most populous portions of
the metropolis, and no criminal has been
brought to justice. The Burdell tragedy,
with all the train Of evidence elfcited al the
inquest, fell through the hands of the police
like water through sieve. The assassina-
tlon ofMr. Rogers in open day, at his own door,
seemed to afford an ample opportunity for the
exercise of detective skill; yet never was
there so hopeless blunder, and, in fact, q
succession Of blunders, as in that case.
Judge Bedford, in his allusion to the terrible
tragedy which now convulses the entire COM
munity, congratulates the Grand Jury that
the case is in the hands of most worthy
citizen and fearless oficial-Superintend
John Jourdan-who will use every effort TO
arrest and punish the cowardly murderers of
Mr.. Nathan. The whole community look
now to Mr. Jourdan, and we trust that he
will not prove unworthy of the good opinion
expressed by the City Judge. The perpetrator
Of this brutal murder must be hunted up and
brought to justice The blood of the excellent
and unoafending gentleman so cruelty slain
must be avenged through the channels of
justice and the law. No temporlzing, no
consideration for private feelings no daw-
ding with vague clues and theories, come
from what source they may, should be allowed
to stand In the path Of the detectives ufexble
duty. Captain Jourdan has the machinery
at work. That he is competent to reach q
successful issue in the detection of the real
criminal few will doubt. Let us be patient.
Let US watch events and not anticipate them,
accepting, meantime, tho assurance Of the
City Judge, that every nerve will be strained
in this terrible case s'untu the majesty OF the
law shall bs vindcated."