The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1881-10-19
Judge Barbin's Charge to the Grand
Jury.

4 GENrLEMEN-In my first charge to tn,
Grand Jury of this Parish, took occa
= sion to call attention to the prevalence,
of crime against the person, to violence
land to the general apathy in relation tt
This class of offences. I wish to recul
= to that subject, because the intelligent
g and patriotic efforts of that and of NOR.
arecent Grand Juries, ably seconded by
the officers of your Parish, have alrea
5dy had effect and borne fruits which
should delight the heart Of every lover
{ of his home. I do not know which is
most deplorable, the frequency OF
3crjmes of violence against the person
or the public indifference to and quasi
approval of these terrible and cruel
deeds. Only a vigorous, unsparing en-.
aforcemcnt of the law, sustained and re.
Enforced by an approving and outspo-
aken public opinion can ever suppress OF
Soyercome this degrading and abomina-
6ble habit. The quick temper, the arro-
CANT, overbearing demeanor, the bragg
gadocio air, curse this community in
Common with many others in the
aSouth, and are the potent parents of an
epidemic of crime. The bully is the
shero of fools. His reign has endured
stoo long. 1t is time to depose him.
1.-The era of peace, of law and order is
\ at hand; the sun of civilization beams
upon us. This worship of physical
courage is the bans of this land; it has
!degenerated into an apotheosis of bru-
5taiity. The man who is most prone to
ainllict an insult, blow, a wound or
death upon his neighbor, is invariably
either the stronger physically or more
adept in the use of his weapons. This
lquick quarrel, ready resentment and
speedy appeal to violence and ready re-
sort to revolvers, infallibly betoken a
ldepraved, selfish and cruel nature, as
liar removed from true courage and
honorable bravery as vice is from vir-
tue. Your bully is at heart a coward !,
and his deeds of violence are mere bids
for cheap popularity. Stamp out this
this cruel, this unmanlyi
prosecute to the gallows
and to the felon's fate every murderer
every criminal who has Inflicted blows
|or wounds upon his fellowman; spare
mot, regard not who he is or whence heI
comes, whether from hall or hut, the|
rich, the poor, treat all alike, until al
mans person shall be as safe on your!
in your towns or in the far
Processes of your forests, as in the peace,
|ful countries Of the old world. 1t isl
too much the. custom to screen this
|brummagem hero who has shed human
blood or trampled on the weak. If al
lpig be stolen crowds cry stop the thief
and he is bounded to conviction; but for|
the more desperate and despicable|
criminal who has heaped indignity and!
wrong, or inflicted blows upon some
weaker or inoffensive person, or who
has dyed his hands in his fellows
blood, and broGe ht poverty, sorrow and
despair to the door of some loving fam
lily, there is sympathy and applause
Shame upon such mankish sentiment
tally! Let us try to purge this Parish
1of all such unhappy and unfortunate
public opinion and immunity from
prosecution and punishment. 1t is for|
you to take the initiative. Yon are to
Investigate and impartially report
|The we'll being, the peace, the prosper
|ity of Rapides, is in your keeping. Do
Your duty conscientiously, and without
fear or favor;-so shall l do mine, and
this Parish will soon know a happiness
and prosperity to which it has long
(been RIranper.