The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1874-10-24

, | ofA'A.S o'o ibh' VA ouutdtSC, uHu ptI4
to'deprive them of political power
that in the execution of their desigl
the members of these secret organiza
tions have committed crimes withOu
number of q nature calculated to in
timidate and terlify, and that they
are as free from fear of punishment
or cause to fear, by the enforcement
of the laws of the States in which tle
offenses were committed, as though
they were wholly guiltless. So preya.
lent and powerful is the sympathy
for those who commit these acts that
before it the law is insignificant and
powerlcss. In the rarest instances has
a grand jury preferred bill of findict-
ment against any of the perpetrators
of these crimes, and in no instance
that has come to our knowledge has q
petit jury been found to return q ver-
| dict of guilty against the perpetrator
OF even the most unprovoked and
Cruel murder, when committed upon
the person of q Republican for politi-
cal reasons. In this country the law
is sustained by public opinion, and
public opinion is stronger than the
law. Our fathers, in the foundation
Ot our System of government, nevor
realized that the day would come
when the lives Of American citizens
could be taken qplawfully and in
great numbers, and no witness to such
deeds could be found TO prefer a COM
plaint, no sheriff to execute war
FAINT, and no sentiment jim the COM
n1unity sufficiently strong to secure
the condemnation Of the offense, or
the punishment of the offenders. Yet
this is the case i'll the Southern States
to-day. A powerful press preserves
silence as to the Offepse, or persist
emily misrepreseuts the circumstances
under which it was committed. or
where concealment is no longer pos
sible, boldly defends the act of the
criminal. The character of the dead
victim is malignel, and a deed of
blood, horrible in its details, is axalt-
ed into an act of patriotism. Where,
under the laws of the General Gov
ernment, the United States courts
have jurisdiction Of the offense and
succeed in arfaiyning the criminal.
the more talented and influential
members of the legal profession has
ten to volunteer their services in his |
defense, and where bail is required
for the appearance of the offender,
the wealthy members Of the commun-
ity eagerly place their names upon |
the bond. Upon the trial it is simply |
to secure, fairly and in the
manner prescribed by law, twolve
men who will decide impartially be-
tmsen the Government. and the nc.
cused, and render verdict in accord |
ance with the law and the evidence.
Those men who have sworn to mur-
der, when commanded by their secret
and who were, per-
|laps, accessory to the commission Of
The offense, readily appear upon the
witness stand to prove that the pris-
'ner was engaged in innocent occupa-
ton far from the place where the
,rlme was committed. All the iuflu-
'nce and power of the Democratic
narty are excited in the defense of the
accused, and he may well view with
Indifference the efforts Of those whose
1uty it is to secure the int1iction of the
,enalty for the violation Of the law.
The criminal offenses over which the
nlte'l States courts have jurisdiction
IRE limited in their number, and the
'nly restraint upon the commission
VI crimes of the nature indicated, ex-
'rcised by the Federal courts, spring.
n most cases, from the annoyance
md expense of undergoing a form of
rial and not from the fear of convic-
ion or the results. If, in rare in
taDce, conviction should be had,
he criminal however heinous might
'e his offense, however much in vio-
alton of the laws of his country and
f God, would find sympathy and
omfort and support from the mem
ers of that party in whose cause he
'as required to suffer. With no sense
t disgrace, no feeling of remorse, but
nth mind imbueq with the teach J
1gs of his Democratic leaders, he t
'ould endure the penalty for his Of
,nse with the pride of a patriot aud
1e fortitude of . martyr. q
aheSianCe dHQ piOIecllOn SEQulu 60
,gether: If the paramount allegiance
the, citizen is due to the General
overnment, it should, in return for
lis exaction, assume the burden of
is protection, instead of entrustipg o
!e ma tier to another power, and to 81
HON second allegiance is due, and =
om whose neglect or persecution
lere is no appeal. II the Constitution i,
arragts, it ought to be made just as +,
uch crime to murder a citizen Of y
'e United States as it is to murder q :
tizen OF q State. When public senti :,
ent approves and indorses the as "
'ssination of prominent Republicans, '
J is the case in most of the Southern .
tates to-day, the State courts have
, terrors to eyil-dQers, for men are G
eyer convicted of crime when the il
It of an assassin is applauded and P
garded as the performance Of y
lty to the State. If. however, evils il
oers are given to understand that Il
'e matter does not end with yer F
let Of acquittal in the State court.