Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1874-09-24
Judge Hickerson's Charge
upon the Recent Out
RACES.
From the Manchester Democrat.

US from publishing a synopsis
of Judge Hickerson'S charge to
the Grand Jury OH Monday
last, but as the subject of the
recent acts Of violence, commit
ted in some parts of the State, is
one which demands prompt ac-
ton, on the part Of both the
State officials and the people,
we insert that portion Of his
charge relating to these outra-
ges with which, at our request,
he has kindly furnished us.
After charging the jury fully
upon the various acts Of Assem-
bly, usually given in charge to
the Grand Jury, and especially
upon the subject of carrying
arms and masked marauders,
the court read to the Grand
Jury the recent proclamation
of his Excellency, the Cover
nor, and after reading and COM
menting upon the leading points
therein, the Court said: It is
needless for me to say to such
Of your body as have been in
the habit Of attending Court
since | have been on the bench,
that l hereby endorse every sem
timent in the proclamation, both
as good law and good morals.
While | have never been able to
express myslef so forcibly or
so happily as his excellency has
done, as an officer and as a cit
izen, | have ever felt, since [
have been on the bench, the alb
solute necessity Of rigid en-
forcement of the criminal law.
All officers, and especially the
peace officers Of the county,
should be held to a strict re-
sponsibility for the manner in
which they discharge their du-
ties, and l am proud to believe
that this course has not been
without its influence in this cir
cult. And while / have no rea-
son to believe that there is now
or has been recently any con-
siderable amount Of crime with
in this circuit, and certainly
none growing out Of the caus-
es existing in the other portions
Of the State, and which have so
loudly called for this most ex-
cellcnt and timely document, [
AXE this occasion to impress
upon you and through you all
the good men Of the country
the absolute necessity of a
strict enforcement of the law.
First. Let every peace office
feel that he is certain to be in
dicted for any wilful failure to
discharge his duty; let every
citizen feel that he is sure to
be indicted if, when summoned,
he fail to assist peace officer in
the arrest of offender, and let
every sheriff and jailor feel that
the swiftest vengeance of the
law is to be visited upon the
permissive or negligent escape
of prisoners, and especially let
every jailor feel as the Roman
jailor felt (when he thought his
innocent prisoners had escaped)
that his life is forfeited when
persons in custody are taken
out and hung or shot. The
truth is there is no outrage so
obnoxious, both to the law and
to humanity, as the taking out
of prison, unarmed prisoners
in the custody of the law, for
slfe keeping and taking their
lives. 1t is better for the law;
it is better for the community;
it is better for humanity and
better for the State that a thou
sand men escape by breaking
the iails of the country than
for one prisoner to be taken out
by mob and hung. Mob law
and violence, as declared by the
read to you, must
cease OF we are utterly ruined
as a people, morally, pecuniari-
ly and in every way. When a
person is placed in Jail. the faith
of the State is pledged-that |
no violence shall be inflicted up
on his person, and an infraction
of this plighted faith by an
armed mob not only does
wrong "most fouF'' to such pris-
oner, but it wounds the proud
name of the State in its tender
est pOints-but not only SO, but
it works terrible pecuniary loss
to the State. 1t is in vain we
point to our generous soil, our
salubrious and temperate cline,