The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-06-23
MONDAY EVENING. JUNE 2a. 1877
A Terrible Picture of Crime.


The New York dailes come to us liter
ally crammed with accounts of horrible
murders in all parts Of the country. In
several cases whole families are slain. In
quiet country wales, where the sweet June
days and nights seem perpetual sabbath,
murder is rife. In great cities, where art
and science have reared their splendid
monuments, and wealth piles its gorgeous
creations, and religion consecrates its tenn
pies to God, the "Bloody Hand" stains
everything with its CHASTITY touch. Why
will not men arouse to the truth written
in letters of blood at every corner of our
streets, that zoe are hriny constantly among
sarages, ao0rSe than the Modocs! sr..I
We have amongst US at large and unre-
stra ned thousands Of men, women and
children as truly barbarous as the Hotten-
tots or the red men of the plains.
We go on from year to year allowing this
number to recruit their ranks with no vig-
orous effort at suppression. This great
mass of thieves, burglars, and Migrants of
all sorts who swarm in our cities and
roam over our country like beasts of prey,
form an element of appalling magnitude in
our population. Our police authorities
know them individually and in mass and
yet take no efficient measures to suppress
aud destroy them. The head of the police
in nelghboring city told us that
his men were constantly blamed for
following these wretches too sharply.
They were compelled to content themselves
III kno'oing aohere they aoere as nearly as
possible. Aware that they live upon plum
der, they are restrained from moving upon
them as class. If they were Indians on
the plains the edict Of determination would
instantly go forth. But it appears that the
daily risks encountered by the average
citizen in our most thronged cities is
greater than those on the plains among the
savage tribes. When will the people arouse
and put down this monstrous abuse. We
are indebted for this state of things to par
tisan politics, whose leaders court the re'-
min Of the LOWEST slams, more assiduously
than they do respectable and decent people.
There is but one available remedy,
to wit: Union of citizens of all parties for
mutual protection and reform. This class
or tribe of chronic criminals mast be abated.
Then we must look out for the fresh sup.
ply. The children must be put into tht
schools aeiM on apithoM the consent of pa
rents. From the lliterate most criminals
come. Virginia, by her neglect of schools,
is preparing a large installment to curse
the next generation. If she does not fully
arouse and educate her people she will put
in the ranks Of her population four hun
bred thousand savages during the next ter
years. Many of them will be harmless, il
may be, but among them will be found the
worst types Of barbarous humanity, who
will fill the land with deeds of blood.
These are the great topics which ough
to arouse our attention, direct our energie
in working for our fellows, and kindle our en-
thusiasm. To save men from crime we mus
educate all the children. Having educated
them, they become valuable items, ant
thus, instead of a negative loss, We hav
positive gains in the best directio n. Gu
criminal law needs instant and Thorough
amendment to enable justice to reach Grim
with promptitude as well as power 10 pun
ish. We must cut the knot Of red tape
and reach results by short paths, which al
low no escape. At the same time we mus
make the reform Of the criminal and tn
neglected classes an earnest study. Their
is no safety for the state or the people bu
IN united effort TO suppress crime b
swift and certain punishment, and to pre-
vent it for the future by unicersal educt
ton of, the most practical and comprehe'
size character.