Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1873-01-11

Shipc had in his possession over $500 worth of
the goods, admitted his guilt and at the came
time stoutly asserted that Eyster had nothing
to do with the matter and knew nothing of it.
Eyster did not have any of the goods, nor was
there any evidence of guilt against HIM. He is a
young man of good character, aud is undoubted-
ly innocent of any completely in this case. The
Court ordered mol. pros. to be entered in his
case, aud discharged him; directing ohipe to en-
ter bail in the sum of 81 800 for his appearance
at March Sessions. He is now in Jail.
Commonwealth VS.. B. L. Kerchner.--Rapc.
Mrs. Tobias Long, prosecutrix. Bound over
from last Sessions, now on second trial. A large
number of witnesses are subp9naed, and tie
case will take up the balance OF the week. The
same counsel are employed who were engaged at
the late trial. Much interest is manifested In
the progress of the prosecution.
Charge TO the Grand Hurry.
GENTLEMEN of the Grand Jury Again the
people of Northumberland county are assembled
for the pufspose OF transdctinG business of the
highest Importance. Here in this Court the laws
of the land are 10 be enforced. We have good
and wholesome laws, not perfect to be sure. but
their efficiency depends upon the faithful cXccu-
ton of them. The security of the person and
- I
that we look for security against encrOuchments
upon our rights tn the legal and uninterrupted
enjoyment Of life, limb, body, health and reputa-
tioH. To life and limb al have natural aud in
herent right, and the rest OF the person has the
same right to security from the corporal insults of
menaces, assaults, beating and woundng.
The preservation of health from such practices
as may prejudice or annoy it, the security of rep
utation or good name from the arts of dctraction
ana Islander, the personal liberty of individuals,
md ha Of
every man is entitled by reason aud natural JUS
ticc. All these are to be guarded by YOU. and the
gentlemen OF the traverse jury, under the guild
ance and direction of the Court. Nothing that
affects these interests can be unimportunt TO any
of us. We must insist that no violation Of the
laws shall escape It's proper penalty. The Divine
Being has committed to ourselves the duty of
making our own laws under the light he has giy-
On NE, and when made, we are bound 10 obey
thcm. If we do not the State is but an empty
name, the order OF society is dissolved. Some
offences are slight, but the penalties are small
and must be imposed others are enormous and
the penalties great, and men must be taIght to
respect the laws of society, which must be made
4 terror to those who do not. Where law and
order do not reign supreme, all experience teach
cs us that murders, aTsuns, rapes, robbeyies
ISLANDERS, assaults, frauds and thcits are the or
der Of the day, for the laws Of nature are terror
only to the wise and good. lie is an enemy to
society who Intentionally violates It's laws. If is
laws, but we are bound to see that others do So
AL men and common sense ana undcrst landing
know well enough when they are doing wrong
and deserve punishment, aud there Is 10 undue
severity IN furnishing lawlcssuess even to the full
extent of the penalty IMPOSED by law which ryc-
ry man is bound to know. That crime is fcar-
fully on the increase is apparent to all, and
Ye. men do not seem to realize tnat if this state
of things is permitted TO go On, we shall soon be
in n state OF anarchy. The Courts of our couu-
"a n al If4.r 10. L..
make the law strong. a score of murderers in
our prison to-day, in one of our cities, are the
living witnesses that public sentiment too has de-
liberated government till there is no force in this
world adequate to bring these assassins to their
righteous doom.
In anothcr-city, the judges of the court have
recently called the attention of the Grand Jury
to the tact that during the last year there were
oven 10000 arrests, in that city alone against
2O,OoO during the previous year In our charge to
the Grand jury, Just one year ago, We urged the
necessity of a rigid execution of the crimina!
laws, and so far as this Court has had it in its
power we have endeavorrd to carry out these
views. We bayS not hesilufcd even where life
was in question, and men have bren sentenced to
undergo long teFWs of punishment by solitary
confinement at lasor. BY many this has been
considered severe, Nnd even barbdrous. This
mawkish scntamentsNty is the bane of society
Its existence betrays GN>want OF manly v.or, a
stalwart strength, such,.as government must
have, or il becomes a spolt Of the wicked and the
contempt of everybody. Ii is not cruelty to pun
ish adequately. 1t is the highest. tenderest mcr-
cy 10 punish wrong. Infinite wisdom and love
enjoin the death Of murdererS folly and cruelty
unite In letting criminals goHnwhipped of Justice.
Universal man is on the side of Solomon and his
inspiration. The Divine law has penalty as we'll
as precept. II is founded in love- but not love of
sin, but of law, order and justiee-and it is the
foundation of all human laws, which must be
wisely administered, with mpartiality-with no
respect OF persons, no brlbcry--no weakness at
all, George Washington did not hesisate TO sign
the death warrant of Major Andre, nearly one
century ago. and saw 1t executed according to
the laws of war, and of nations. but with no soft
compunctions, no false miQTitous pity against
order, law, right and civilization ITSELF which he
regarded as virtual treason.
AT the last August term of this Court no less
than ten persons were sentenced to undergo pun-
ishment in the penitentary, and now at this
term, your county Jail is again flied up with
persons charged with murder, rupes, arsons,
thefts. assaults, and all manner of crimes. We
must not hesitate TO do our duty. The Supreme
Court of this State has recently said that the
question OF expenses mast not for n moment be
allowed TO come in competition with the due ad-
mlnistraLon of the criminal law.
A source of much annoyance and detriment TO
the public good is the prne.ce of many good ci;-
izens of lending their aid snd influence in the sel-
tlement and compromise Of high crimes. This is
wicked and condemned by the law. Besides, the
eAanPle is peIhlclous, ana greatly Affects the
public good. Men can be seen upon our public
streets at any time who are pointed out and
known to be thieves and scouudre!s, and vet are
suffered to go with impunity for want of a public
prosecutor, or because some influence has been
brought to bear by which justice is prevented.
Ii Is the duty of the Court aud the Jury To see
that the laws of the land are properly enforced.
but unless those having knowledge aud evidence
OF crime will come forward and prosecute, we
have no means by which to act. These laws are
the simple expression of the morality of the
country. They are very plain aud clear, and we
should have no difficulty in the performance of
our duties. Let us be firm and faithful TO this
trust. We must see that the community is sufii-
ciently protected against desperate and wicked
men; but whilst we hav" the care of men charg-
ed With criminal offences, we must be sure that
we marin not their liberties and reputation, ex-
eept on clear and reliable evidence.
II will be your duty, before you leave for your