Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1872-09-27
Enforcement Of the Laws.

In these times when 'tliberal" ideas ass ume
so much Importance, there is danger Of their
being carried to extremity, for It is well known
that "human nature Is prone to extremes" aud
if driven from one II will go to the opposite. II
is exemplifed in many ways, particularly in
the fashions o. the day. iiere It is cnmpara
lively harmless. In polite II Is also witnessed
but on this field. what are called liberal ideas
will exist only until the people become convinc-
ed that different policy is essential TO the pub.
lie welfare.
This, perhaps, may be asserted with regard
to the subject in any sphere, but these liberal
views so called, are exercising a most pernici-
Gus influence in our courts of judicature. The
NAL administration Of law so Characteristic of
the present age is becoming proverbiAl. When
great Grimm al is arrested on a charge Of muir.
der or some other outrage, nobody supposes that
he will be convicted, or If convicted that he will
ever receive the punishment due to such u
crime.
The design of law is the protection Of life and
property, and the social well. being Of society
minsteredY 7
The law aud the ministers are intended to be
ga terror to evil doers," but il is often, nay
commonly, seen that if an offender can afford to
pay sufficiently, both will DO stripped of said
terrors, and he will have but little to fear.
What is there of terror to q murderer like
STOKES, or any other despeorado2
His cell furnished like parlor, his meals
| from restaurant, and his friends allowed al
most daily intercourse with him. What is there
beyond his confinement to chafs his gentle
spritP With means to "work the case" he has
but little, if any, fear of the result.
1t is too often the case that when scoundrel
IS convicted, the public have grounds for say
ing that he was too poor to pay for an ac-
quittal.
We have heard men say in Justification of
such course Creating cnlprii as gentle
man }, that it is humane and proper, asking
what good q more vigorous course would d. =?
But so long as men are put in responsible olli
ces Tor political purposes, aud inebration, liccn-
tiousncss, aud vena!ity are tolerated in them
because they are the adhcreuts Of a dominant
party, we may look in vain for justice or
equity.
~ i"uH'J Sh'WCiR uuC VI laws Dy hu
official, while lie shuts his eyes or wiuks at
others of more importance, will not give salts.
faction in any community. Nor will any ostra
cizing threats of starting M opposition paper
have any weight whatever in detcrling US from
admitting communications or speaking editorial
ly upon such course.
Ii the Hydraulic is found at any time to be a
nuisance to our citizens, our columns will be
open u the village aulhnrities or citizens, to
assist in its abatement. If the doggeries persist
in sending men to their homes 10 condition to
break up the furniture and abuse their ia mii,s,
and send them how ling through the streets lie
mad men, or should they keep a few Iety
gamblers around to win a few dimes from the
verdant youths from the country, in utter disre
gard or existing laws, our columns will also bs
open for the abatement of these.
Our village authorities have done much this
eason in the shape of substantial improve
smeuts-more than has been accomplished for
some years past-for which they should receive
the hearty endorsement Of all of uur citizens 4;
but this should not ex"nerate them from a reg
'ect of other duties, or voice from the appar-
eut minority.