Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1873-06-05
THE PRINCIPLE INVOLVED.

There are certain subjects that cannot
be too often discussed, principles that
cannot be too frequently considered, and
grave questions of international as well
as State law that cannot sbe too constant
ly borne in mind The people have talk
ed themselves hoarse about the preva-
lence of crime, the inadequacy of the
law, and the inefficiency of the courts,
while the press, with rare exceptions,
has taken up the refrain, renewed the
cry, almost to nauseousness, without sug-
costing a remedy. 1t may be all well
enough to cant about the degeneracy of
the age, the supineness of the people, and
to declare that fraud and corruption
stalk unchallenged throughout the land,
corrupting the legislature of the State
and nation, and poisoning the very foun-
tains of justice, and yet, almost in the
same breath, applaud the grossest viola
tons of law This may, for time,
meet with popular favor, because, per-
chance, one legitimate, lawful, proper,
and, in the end beneficial course, is for
the moment, frowned upon by an un-
reasoning people, while the most high
handed outrages against the rights of the
people, the country and the comfy of
nations strikes a chord in the popular
heart, which responds sympathetical-
ly to brave, gallant deeds, without
much regard to law, order, right, or
principle. The sober, second thought of
the people, however, corrects all this.
Notwithstanding we are led away by the
excitement of the hour, and, under the
enthusiasm thus evoked, we commend
and uphold, yet after the influence of
the day has passed, calm reflection re-
turns, and we unhesitatingly condemn
that which we before, thougthlessly, ap-
plauded. An intelligent, free people,
like ours, cannot long go astray. Soon
er or later, they will right themselves,
and woe be to them who have pandered
to the undue excitement of the hour.
We have had one tidal wave that
swept over the country, carrying not
only the masses, but judges and jurors
before it, and, for time, threatened to
engulph all law and order, and to break
down, in its almost resistless sweep, the
very safeguards of society. The effect
is yet felt to dangerous extent, in some
parts of the country, and Jurors bow
submissively to the supposed mandate of
popular prejudice. To such an extent
was this public sentiment carried that
human life was held of little worth in
comparison with private wrongs and in
dividual griefs Foul, brutal, cowardly
murder was upheld and applauded by
the press and people because, forsooth,
the murderer had considered himself
wronged and his victim was supposed to
be the despoiler Thank God, this tidal
wave has ebbed and is now refuent, we
trust never to ebb again. In looking
back upon this emotional insanity" of
the people aud juries, rather than of the
arraigned criminals, it is a little curious
to note how little foundation there was
for the belief in the supposed wrongs
which led an abnormal public sentiment
to sympathize with and applaud muir
derer. In the frenzy of a temporary
insanity, jurors could not see, any clear
er than could the public, that confess
sions extorted at the mouth of the pistol
were of little worth, or that the tales of
miserable, contemplate gosspers were
not entitled to credence. Bitterly have
we reaped, and still are reaping, the
fruits of this sowing. The graduation
from presumed justification for muir
der, in one class of supposed wrongs, to
reyenging all faneied insults. with the
knife or pistol, was easy and natural,
until the bloody instruction returned to
plague the inventor The reaction has
commenced and, hereafter, the man
who attempts to take the law into his
own hands, and constitute himself Judge, |
jury and executioner, let us trust-iudg- |
ing by the signs of the times-will find |
that with what judgment he Judged he
shall be judged, and with what measure
he melted, it shall be measured to him
again.
1t seems but yesterday, that the coun-
try was ringing with the wrong we had