Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1871-02-14
Two Rumans.


James HsEcerty and William Yariey may
be considered the representative despcrudocs
Of New Yor; and Philadelphia. For the
past ten years both have been not simply ''cuC-
hWs" but malefact0rs of tho most dangerous
character, who bid defiance to lawmakers as
we'll as those whose duty il is to execute the
laW. They we're even q terror to their own
class Of evil doers, and in the case of Haggcrty
the GOVeTno rUf Pennsylvania Cthc present in
cUmbent, Geary) stood in such mortal terror
Of him that he released him from the prison
on condition that he should leave the state
neVec 10 return. This remarkable act of ban
ishmeut was the subject Of much Comment at
the time; bu; the good citizens of PhiIadel,
phia seemed ia no way desirous ofqucstionng
the right OF their State Executive to employ
this prerogstive, or to be 4bashed at the con :
fessiUu that their jails were insecure and they
preferred that their neighbOrj be injured
rather than themselves.
Haggerty Appeared to be surrounded by
hosts vi invisible friends while in Phiiadep phia,
and his mysterious modes 0; escape, sometimes
from the very threshold of justice, often par
took Of the TOmautic, aud reminded Us of the
Painiess days ct Claude Dsvai aud Jack Shcp.
pdrd. H
. Bauished from Philadelphia, ard unable to
visit that metropolis except in disguise, and
during exciting periods. Hagger,y sought
c0ngeuiai cOmpaniOn,hiP in the quiet of New
YORK. But there was already ''Oue Richmuud
IN the field" aud from the moment of his
arrival his claim to leadership has hccn con-
tested By ''Reddy the Blacksmith" who has
at last rad society of its pest.
There Is a peculiar question of moral ethics
arising out Of this homicide VarIcy has GER
taIDiy beeu OF service TO the community in rid.
ding it Of the most dangerous Cbecause of tho
most reckless, blood hirsty, and Iuwlcss) dcs
purudO in our mids'. From the statements
OF witnesses it appears that he acted in self.
defence. II thcie Is any choice betwcn two
evils, the rIddlnce Of Haggarty is more relief
to society than OF Earley. Ifthe law had been
proper! y administered without the Interference
Of such influence, Hasgar'y would have suffer.
ed Its heaviest penalty years ago.
10 PhIadephia he wac iD the habit Of "kilI
lug his man. u,auiDg him, 1T times, every
fortnight two, bat witnesses. among then,
Poi'ce officers whose reputation had previously
been good, were subsidized. In this ciry he
seemed to have enjoyed the same immunity.
Ihe characrcrof "areIy is almost US desperate
1hat thts Startling event will check him in his
career Is to be hpPei Tor by all wcl-disposcd
ci'lzensj but that las should punish him for
dUins-Iu uu unlawfIl manner what ih, law
"setts"ouid have done lopg aso--Temoyiug this
rUlhau from our UId>i-Is one of those en-.
tnn=lIng sScius OF argument which. perhaps,
serve hstter Tor the jury-bnx. II the termi.
nation had been the same ~ that of the mem.
Ofabic engagement between the Kilkenny cats.
the temporary sensation would, 10 doubt have
been even q eater than it is hut it would save
great dca! Oi .r-uinenf aud GIUrnl zius uud
ceIt'iuy long GI! to the county
" 7. &iuaGGrd.