The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1880-01-10
Crime as Calmly Viewed.

It il not the duty of the press to pass
Judgment on criminals before they are
legally tried. or to endeavour to influence
public opinion in way that would defeat
the ends of justice, either on the one side
or the other. But the increase of crime
in our midst or vicinity turns the minds of
the community in an enquiring direction.
and they would fain obtain some light as
to the causes of crime, and seek to dis
cover il possible, whether it is a disease,
or the outgrowth of some latent quality
possessed by individuals, but which lies
dormant until some extraordinary, or
even what appears to be an ordinary cir.
cumstance developes it.
Before going into this part of the sub
ject, however. it is necessary. to draw GER
tain lines, or 10 other words classify, and
this can be done without going too minu-
tely into detail or splitting hairs. The
two chief distinctions which the public
have to deal with in general sense, are
premeditated crime, and crime that is not
premediated, or what to all appearances
is the outgrowth of position and circum-
cumstances. 1t will be generally admitted
that there Isl broad line of demarcation
between tho two classes and although no
law has ever. or can, fit every case, the
law recognizes distinction and provides
for it as far as possible, though at the
same time it does not admit plea oil
intention or non-intentlon where the cir
cumstauces are such that the act commit
ted has been of nature to exclude the
point: and so in cases where the crime is
such that thus cannot be considered a
justification, the law is specific. ~
The causes of crime are doubtless mani
fold and in this place details cannot even
be enumerated, but in a general sense
most of our crime can be said to have its
origin in disregard OF law and
order, and a want of control of passions
which are the outgrowth of revenge or a
false sense of injury. The vast majority
Of mankind thirst for revenge, either for
real or supposed injuries, aud if this
desire for revenge is allowed to grow, its
development is rapid, and the disease,
which it undoubtedly ia. gets beyond con
troll and hence the general results. There
is too much, in cur time, OF a false sense o.
injury and injured pride, and while admit
tag the fact. it must be universally ON
demned, The idea that because & man is
contradcted or called 10 question for
some improperly, does not 10 any way
justify the use of the knife. or pistol, or
other deadly weapons. aud all civilized
communities must of necessity condemn
such action. 1t may be urged that cases
frequently arise where there is no other
means of safety, or even defence, and it
must be acknowledged that such cases
number of times they do arise are lot so
frequent as imagined, and every time a
case of this sort does happen. it is a
decided reflection on the community. Of
the class Of crime where provocation of
an unbearable nature has been given, or
that grows out of the work of a moment
little need be said, as both the community
and the law are not over exacting. Two
| things are certain: Men must learn to
control themselves better; and more
rssp6ct must be had for the law, which is
established to yindicate the rights of the
humblest citizen And the majority Of
people on calm consideration desire, that
all should be dealt with 1m partially wheth-
| er innocent or guilty,