Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1883-03-23

| Buta further reason, no doubt has been til
recent enfranchisement of a class who's
general condition of intelligence and ed uca
ton has tempted some of those with whom
this class has been in the main politically
identified, and some of those who feel thei
admission TO this right and the mode BY
which 1t was effected, an oppressive invasioi
OF it, On the one hand TO ply sordid in
ducements to retain an allegiance that nigh
otherwise waver, and on the other TO resor
to similar appliances 10 neutralize what they
regard as an evil and an injustice.
Doubtless the law-making power, charged
with the regulation OF the sacred right OF
suffrage, must deal with it fairly and wisely
or public discomfort is inevitable. But when
this power has been exercised Justly or I'M
Justly, within constitutional limits, it is not
for the Courts, however free private citizens
may be to criticise such action or just their
| grounds for complaint, TO do otherwise than
simply uphold the laws as they find them.
"And experience has demonstrated that
the corruption of one class soon extends to
others. 1t eats like cancer. Men once
above venal approach, now shamelessly
set price upon their votes. This sale Of
manhood extends, and puts up its rates,
with each recurring occasion for its pur-
chase. 1t is notorious elections are often
attended with an expenditure of sums which
few years ago would have shocked pub
lie sensibility beyond endurance, and been
deemed incredible. Under the present de-
moralization poor men are fast being driven
from candidature for Office. Men of large
means and wealthy corporations are sought
out by parties as the recipients of their
honors and aid in exchange for opening
their Golfers for campaign purposes, and
simple fitness and merit are rapidly becom-
ing no longer the only or chief qualiflca-
tons for political elevation.
"Neiher Republican nor Democratic party
can claim to be guitless in this matter, and
both should unite in correcting an evil to
to which both have contributed. So far as
faithful discharge of your duty will con-
duce to stem this current of decentralization,
which If not checked must ultimately I'M
dermine the fabric of free institutions, let it
be performed. This may accomplish some
thing; at least you will acquit yourselves.
But, unquestionably, the correction of this
growing evil is to be found mainly in O
sound public sentiment
"But while thus depicting the offence of
bribery, let it be borne in mind that the
freedom and purity of elections can be de-
stroyed by the use of other means than
money and means equally forbidden by
law. Force and intimidation are as illegal
as bribery when used TO coerce the voter
into compliance with the behests of any in
dividual or organization.
ITO overawe the citizens is as subversive
of the freedom of elections as to corrupt him,
and equally subjects the offender TO punish
ment. The law, unfortunately, is not yet
adequate to cope with the abuse Of securing
mems votes by pandering to their appetite
for intoxicating drinks"
In presenting these various topics for your
consideration, do 50 only from an impera-
tive sense of duty. 1t affords me no pleas
ure to put the machinery of the law In
motion against any of my fellow citizens.
My personal sensibilities shrink from the
imposition Of punishment; and, happily,
the spirit of intolerance and persecution
should be as much stranger to the breast
OF the Judges AS TO that of the private cit
zen. If there be a seeming sternness in
urging upon you the inflexible performance
of your duty, it is only because the official
trust imposed upon me leaves me no alter
native. And my hope is that in faithfully
charging the Grand Jury, | may incidentally
convey u timely admonition that will serve
to avert from the willful and needless in
dictments they might otherwise incur.
And now, in conclusion, let me admonish
you that one OF your most valuable func-
tons is that OF preventing groundless and
malicious prosecutions. You are to shield
the innocent from the expense and harass-
ment OF needless trials as well as to search
out and arraign the guilty.
The law should be administered in its
spirit rather than its letter. Justice seeks to
lay its hand not upon construction but
substantial offenders. Consider the matters
brought before you faithfully, but in no
spirit of narrowness and persecution. Be
not morbidly technical, nor eager in imput-
ing guilt; but deal with charges against
your iellow-citizens with humanity and
common sense. Thus you will fairly and
reasonably enforce the law. Don't put on
spectacles to look for fiy-specks, nor mag
Nifty pins into crow-bars. And while not
Sinking or shrinking from your RESPONSE
bilities, use all dispatch consistent with
thorough discharge of duty, and bring your
session to a close as soon as possible, thus
economizing the expenses Of the Court
And if at the end the OF your abors, faith
fully conducted, it turns out that few in
stead Of many indictments were necessa airy,
it should be a matter of qualification and
not Of regret to yourselves, the Court and
the public.