The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1883-03-09
HERoIaM OF CRIME.


Used, e Doing.
The community seems TO have been
passing through a strange phase of late
years, during which the relations of the
criminal society, as ordinarily under
mood, seem to have become somewhat
confused. The extraordinary and un-
seemly prominence into which the COM
mission of crime seems to have forced
certain individuals Is one manifestation
Of this very peculiar social phenomenon.
lt has seemed at times almost as il the
former rude distinction between the
enemy and the savior of society referred
to in the old line. zone murder makes
villain, millions hero" was about to
be broken down and the meaner de-
stroyer lifted to the ranks of the s.lords
Of the earth" Such have been the re-
hections forced upon the observers of
the operation of social forces for some
time past, says Bradstreets Journal.
The murderer, the burglar, and the
highwayman have been in turn the
eynosures of unfailing popular admira-
non. Gifts have been borne to them,
they have been RECALLED with dainties,
and their gloomy hours of captivity
have been beguiled with facetious and
enlivening converse. There have not
been wanting signs from time to time
shat the criminal mind also was begin
ming to take q new view of its functions
IN the social economy, in supplying di-
versions to the jaded senses of the pub
Nc, and in supplying material for the
exercise of its neglected faculty of hero
worship; and some strange crimes,
0thAryVIQA m
tributed to consuming desire for that
notoriety which is the peculiar reward
Of ambitious efforts at excellence.
Even the constituted guardians of
public order have in some instances ex-
hibitod symptoms that they are not free
from this strange infection. The ex-
treme and, as we cannot but think, ex-
eeedingly injudicious activity shown in
the exercise of the pardoning power is,
perhaps, the striking indication that the
officers peculiarly intrusted with the
maintenance of the integrity of society
are as liable to the emotional influence
We have remarked upon rs are the more
humble citizens. The action of the Gov
ernor of Missouri, which excited so
much unfavorable comment, will occur
10 the reader in illustration of our re-
marks. The recently elected Governor
Of Georgia has impaired the confidence
imposed in him by the more conserva-
tive citizens of the State by his rather
ready use of his pardoning prerogative.
Even in Massachusetts, which is moth
ing If not conservative, the close of Gov
ernor Longs term has been signalized
by the pardon of man who was con-
victed some years ago of the crime of
forgery and embezzlemcnt. His ac-
ton, although, it is said, founded upon
the request of numbers of reputable citi-
zens, many of whom were creditors of
Pond, is, we think, greatly to be re-
GREETED. II is difficult to understand
how business men especially could be
prevailed upon to petition for this mans
release. As we have pointed out before,
the security of the commercial commu-
nifty in dealings under the modern
credit system is Slapped and undermined
by the crime of forgery, of which,
among others, this man was convicted
The destructive possibilities of this
crime are UNNECESSARILY more vast than
those of many of the ruder crimes which
are visited with so much popular odium.
The field of activity of the criminal Of
Tending in this regard tends to become
wider, while that of the more violent
offender tends to become restricted.
The effect of such action as that under
consideration cannot fail TO be in the
highest degree demoralizing, tending,
rs it necessarily must, TO obscure the
moral conceptions of those who look to
the first officer in the State for a practi-
eel commentary upon the laws which
he is constituted to guard. Our execu-
tive should reflect that while q merciful
care may be exercised in behalf of the
criminal, the interests of society are not
wholly unentitled to respect, and con-
servative citizens should demand that
The course of justice be neither arrested
nor diverted by maudlin sentiment.