Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1875-04-23
SUPERIOR COURT
I"Hse Aerr-ttis HOnOr's <ha-.

n -
This tribunal commenced it's sess;
yesterday moruing.as 10 o'clock
We Were struck, on ENTERING tho
Court room, with the appearances Of
c'eaniiness and order which had taLon
the place OF the tattered condition ara
fifth that has here toforc, of late Years
greeted the habltues of this hail 90
justice.
But little time was consumed IN
drawing the Grand Jury, which, bav-
ing been sworn, was addressed nv h.
honor, III one OF the most impressive
"cha1ges' that We have lad the nleos
ure OF listening to for 10! these mann
Years.
The Judge forbore going into anx
attempt at explaining to "fayn,en" the
numerous definitions of oftences against
the criminal law, believing that sucb
Instructlons to the unDrofessional ara
forgotten, rs a genera rue, almost "a
soon rs heard; but endeavored 10 i'm
press upon the jurors the importance
OF the duties which de7olved unon
them. He called attention to the Nh.
jects which cur ancestors wished to a.
compijsh by the institution Ct or md
juries; their early history ard the
benefits to society which ere the re-.
suits Of the execution of criminal ins-
tice Ivy this important branch of tha
administrators If the law. He ws.
unable TO recall single instance in
the history OF the pations of the world
where grand-juries did not exist. that
the citizen WAS not restrained of civil,
and religious liberty, and made inse-
cnre in his person md property.
TO tho purity and integrity of this
institution, tie American people must
look for the perpetuity IF law, order
aad good government.
The cath which had been admins
tered was analysed and explained .
shown to be most searching, compre-
henslve, AID binding IL every member
AID phrase. aud was the result 81 cara
. tnI com biuation Of words Of most for.
0 bic Ineauiug, embracing ercru one
within the scrpe Of the Grand Jurors
enquiry, with the exception OF lin
self aud his wife.
Without going into an enumeration
OF he different offences against the
~ HAn1r
.he Jury that, as rule, Whatever
was Of. neIve or obnoxious to society.
was au offence against the criminal
law Of the Stat.
It is indeed refreshing, in theae uc-
easy, dislointed times to be within the
verge Of a Court from which We are
. assured no decree will proceed but
the DEGREES of distributive justice:
ton Of justice" which, as Junius de-
clgrcs, ''is perhaps the firmest bond
to secure a cheerful submission of
the people, md to engage their affec-
t1ons 10 government"
On yesterday we felt that the good
OLD Commonwealth bad again return
ed to her ancient regime when her
Judiciary waa renowned for its exalted
integrity ard dignity. IFS great legal
learning and its pnsoil, d ermine
Judge Ke.r is truly one of the oIna-
lne.ts OF the Old North state, which
gave her the lustre of her name in the
better duys Of her history, and is
spared to her people. from the wreck
of the great revolution. to assist in
elevattng her bench to its former en-
viable position
The following comprise the Grand
Jury: r. G. Ross, Foreman, E. j.
Dehernia, Benjamin L Dor, Thomas
Miller, Allison Alderman, Samuel
Nixon. e. T. Martin, John Pearson,
John Loftin, Rooert Russ, Herman
Teitgen, Robert Willis, Benjamin
Hollis, Isham Quick. J. r Sneeden,
Alonzo Hewlett, r. FL. Hicks, Andrew
j. Howell.
The following cases were called up
during the day
State V Margaret Dahmer, for re-
failing without a license. Jury out.
State VS.. John Watson, on peace
warrant Case dismissed on payment
of costs.