Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1881-02-11

there are other topics toached Whlcu
vs. cannot let pass without word o.
O 'iticism, if indeed criticism will bt
lpsrmitted in these latter days OF aroused
p lblic conscience, with the editor of the
EveIy Evening fresh from the tap, from
lsading in religious crusade in favo'
Of morals and religion. We pass by
the enumeration of the work done by
the Grand Jury, and its flashing but
deserved enconiums upon theneW court
house and its builders. We join it in
its recommendation for house OF cor
ERECTION, and we partly agree with it in
its references to the slmshouse, but
reserve our objections to some points
of it to some future time. We wholly
agree with the sentiments entertained
in reference to the county prison. Next
in the report comes the views of the
Grand Jury in regard to the crime of
rape. Its condemn alton OF this horrible
crime is none TOO severe and we have
no hesitation in giving our assent ard
support to. any plan proposed by the
Grand Jury which would result in a
llesseping Of this revolving crime Had
the Grand Jury here stopped its work
would have heen well done and its
recommendations would have met with
that support of moral force that would
have heen beneficial to the community.
But when the Grand Jury steps aside
from its legitimate business aud ap-
lparently attempts to gable recent
actions IL rape case, rs II fer the pur-
pose of deceiving the people. We caapot
ifollaw it further with oar comMeuda
tons. We quote from the report az
follows "For the frat tima in the
judicial history of Delaware, the spec.
tacle is presented Of thus iar success
ful attempt to wrest from the hands Of
our laws filthy culprit, who had been
fairly tried, copsoientiousiy adjudged
and legally convicted Of the horrid
crime Of rape upon q respectable wo
man living within the Borders of New
Castle county" Our intelligent
readers will readily understand that
this barbed shaft is not only leyc,ed at
thu crIpril Neal but at the distinguish
ed attorney who was assigned by the
court to defend him. We are not an
thorizsd to speak for the distiuEuishe
attorney referred to but we are sure
that the charge OF attemp!ing to wre.
from the hand Of our laws = filthy cul |
pril has no foundation in fact, and cnly |
the fact that those who rendered such
a report did SO under their oaths Of OF |
fee, permits us from denouncing such
language SIS more political clar-trap, |
and put forth for political effect
It viii bs remen tered that Mr., Eia- !
gins vas assigned to the defense oil
Neal, and as faithful attorney sworn
to do his DUTY, he would have been
recEeant to himself and his client had |
he not exhausted every legal means in
his behalf. Mr.. Higgins shra0k no.
from his duty that his client was poor
and black, out rendered him the same
service that he would under the san.e
circumstances had his skin bsen wLits.
le defended him IS beat ne oOnld uu-I
Ter the circumstances and when hex
vas convicted and sentenced to lie ex
outed there was still one means left
.ntried and that was to have the case
AIKEN to the Supreme Court on a writ
f error because NeaEhad not been con-
icted by Jury containing oEe or more
his own race upon it. The writ was
flowed and the case is to be argued
etore the Supreme Court on the Sth
f March. II the proceedings of the
curt that convicted Neal are a6judged
,gal and regular by the highest tri-
unal in the nation, then Neal will BE-
xecuted on the 10th OF June. to which
me he was respited. If the proceed.
Igs are adjudged illegal the case will
, sent back for new trial by a juryI
imposed in accordance with the 1aoi
of the Supreme Court, and if con
cted he will be executed anyhow.
PES this look like Wrestling Neal from
9 elutches Of the law ? Is it not
Their having him tried, convicted and
:ecuted in strict accordance with tbs
w
We can well understand why the
,anc Jury should want Neal executed
guilty. There are none who want
u to escape. But does the Grand
ry want him executed before all the
gal msans provided were exhausted
prove him guilty. Why was the
lpreme Court Of the United States
er made q court Of appeal il no cases
sre to ba appealed? With all due,
spect to the powers that be We would
y, that co,jured fear that Judge
'nch may step in and take the place
statute law is unworthy Of q Grand
ry of New Castle county, and the
farenca TO Federal Interference il iul