Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1882-03-25
LIBERTY UNDER LAW.

OF liberty. Inc expression Is pfoDs
ably repeated oftentines without any
definite idea of its meaning. For>
eigners especially, seem to under
stand that it means freedom from
the restraints of government, much
as the small boy looks forward to
manhood as state of relief from
parental authority.
The only liberty we enjoy, which
is worth the name, consists in the
recognition of our rights of person
and of property, and the definition
and protection of these rights
through laws made and executed
through our Representatives. We
cannot be molested in our property
or in our persons, except for causes
and in the mode pointed out by laws
previously existing and brought
within our knowledge; and should
we be otherwise molested, the same
laws also give US a remedy against
the offender according to his otfense.
In fine, ours is a government of law,
and no less a government because
we ourselves have made the law.
Our liberty is liberty regulated and
secured by law.
It follows that if the law be yio>
lated with impunity, no matter
whether by one person or by many,
in obedience to public clamor Or
against it, the bnlwark of our liberty
is weakened and our liberty itself
endangered. Such assaults upon
the law occur most frequently in
this country when some unpopular
individual is involved. His race, his
opinions or his manners are disliked
in the community, and he is made
to suffer therefor, oftentimes
cruelty and by most outrageous
breach of the law, and yet he
is practically without redress. A
bad precedent has been established;
there will not be wanting bad men
to follow it. Few men pass through
| life who do not, at some time, make
enemies, against whom the law is the
sole protection.
To take still stronger or more
common case. An atrocious crime
has been committed. The commu-
nifty is shocked. The law has de-
fined the crime ard pronounced the
punishment against the party found
guilty, and speedy and impartial
trial. The thirst for vengeance is
great, and chafes at the restraints
of the law, which, grave,
solemn and impressive, de-
clares with awful authority,
Vengeance is mine, / will repay"
Proofs more or less direct point to
the criminal. The law arraigns him,
aud, if found guilty, after being
heard in his own defense, will pun
ish him. Violence interposes, seizes
the wretch from the custody of the
/ law, condemns him unheard and kills
him on the spot. The law has been
twice broken, and both times with
impunity. The first offender is be-
You'd its reach, and whoever heard
of a mob being brought to justice?
/ This when the victim is in fact the
criminal. But suppose the accusa-
ton against him to have been
unfounded and him to have
ceen innocent of the crime
laid to his charge. Can we imagine
a greater OF raore hopeless wrong +?
Let us suppose the officers of the
law, to prevent such consummas
ton, summon the military strength
of the government to take the GUS
tody of the accused and secure him
for trial, and suppose one to whom
this duty is assigned, in contempt of
discipline and in defiance of law,
and partaking of the mob spirit
around, destroys the life which it
was his duty to hold at the disposal
of the law, suppose his aim
Ito have been missed and him