Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1883-03-18
The Power of Wealth.

/ The Power of Wealth.
The acquittal of DUKES, by the
petit jury OF twelve good and lawful
men of the state o Pennsylvania, of
one of the most astrocious crimes that
/ have never recorded in the annals of
this country, brings to mind the coup
! let written 10y GoLpsMITH:
'Ill fares the land, to hastcnin Ills a prey,
! Where wealth accumulates and men de-
cay"
! The poet should not be understood
nor did he mean to be understood as
intmating that the decay of man was
n necessary sequence to the accumula-
ton OF wealth, but he unquestionably
foresaw the influence that large wealth
would have upon the minds, preiudices
and sentiments of men, and that
| the country where wealth was wor-
SHIPPED would fare badly. This coun-
try is just now in this condition
Money seems to be placed in the bal
ance against honor, integrity and vir-
| tue. Men of large wealth can defy
the law, and disregard its provisions
almost with impunity and enjoy an
immunity from punishment that is
not accorded to men i'm the humber
! walks of life. II has become almost a
/ proverb that rich man cannot be con-
| Victcd Of any crime no matter how
heinous its nature. Almost every
! pnp1nnupitu ia nyar,, etotn no,, r,,,,;,l,
n parallel 10 the case of
DUKES, who slew his victim
i'm cold blood and without
provocation. The trial now in pro-
gress at Washington, which has
achieved II national, even Il world
wide reputation, isa striking illustra-
ton of the power of wealth to over
come and defeat the ends of Justice.
The jury system, once the bulwark of
American liberties has become cor
rupte1 by the use of money, and the
, power and influence that money
f brings. There are probably not a
dozen men in the country who have
( watched the proceedings in the star
route trial, with an unprecedented mind
but that We're convinced at the first
T trial, and are still convinced of
, the guilt of DORSEY, BRADY
and their associates. Had they been
mail-carriers and stage-drivers instead
OF contractors, ex-sern.tors and govern
ment officials in high places, they
, would have long since been wearing
felon's suits, and serving their country
In some penitentiary. Their wealth
and the influence and social standing
that money brings has enabled them
to thwart the ends of justice, and NAV
yet enable them to go forth us perse-
cuted martyrs instead of convicted
felons. IL does not follow that money
is always corruptly used to OBJ
tain acquittals. Its possession by
the accused gives them an
influence that weak minds cannot re-
I sist. Trials are prolonged, delays are
interposed, contnuanQes are obtained
10y astute and well fed Counsel. wit
nesses are spirited away, aud when
the ease comes TO trial il draus its
; weary length along, through weeks
and months; law and evidence are
mingled and commingled, arguments
are made 10 shaw the worse and the
better thing until the minds of the
jury are confused To such degree
that they are unable To distinguish
the testimony from the arguments of
the counsel; the charge of
the court from the law present.
ed by the, attorneys, and in sheer
desperation they bring in a verdict of
acquittal. In n government like our
everything depends upon the integrity
of the people, and juries must be more
than ordinary men IL they are not sus-
ceptible to the influence that money
brings IN its train, and when wealth
Is caught in crime and is placed on
trial its mighty influence is cxerted To
befog, mislead and cloud the minds of
those who by nature and instinct are
inclined TO honesty, Public sentiment
must rise In its might and frown mon
the findings OF juries that are contrary
10 sense and Justice, If the country
would escape the ills that the accumn
alton OF wealth entails upon the people