Daily Republican., 1884-02-13

We are not surprised that there
should be such revolution of opinion
in regard to the real guilt of the young
er List since the question has been agi-
tated. The feeling is daily strengthened
tn at had he been convicted of man
slaughter the punishment would have
fully met the crime and satisfied the
ends of justice. In view OF all the
facts in the case there is wide spread
ing wonder that he was convicted OF
the highest grade of murder. Yet we
can easily see through it all, Grimes
of the homicide grade, or al least de-
cided to be homicides, We're fearfully
on the increase. The colord man,
Neal, though accused of a worse crime
than homicide had escaped ; Carberry's
crime was reduced 10 manslaughter ;
Harrigan, though convicted ofthe high
est grade, had beel reprieved from time
to time, until he is tolerably sure of
escape from the extreme punishment OF
the law, and Croney, TO put il mildly,
not less guilty than List, got off with
granddaughter.
The public mind stood aghast at the
increase of crime, and the manifest de-
sire 10 shield criminals from extreme
punishment. The Lists case came in a
period of time when there was a turn
ing of public sentiment. and the Lists
case seem to fit in admirably for turn
ing pivot. Says public sentiment, some
body must be executed this mistaken
lenieney must stop; the shedding OF
blood by criminal hands must be check,
ed too many have already escaped
we must get back TO hard bed rock
principles again We are drifting too
far into sentiment and sympathy lie
us turn back.
As we have already said Lists mis-
fortune occurred just at this thine. |
was taken upon the wings of public
opinion and hurried to fearful conclu
sion. None felt the need of this chang
more than the able and eloquent Attor
ney- General of the State. He threv
into the case all his powers Of learning
and eloquence He fairly outdid him
self, and even after all that, the verde
must have been surprise 10 him, for i
is we'll known that Mr.. Gray had but
slight expectation that he would secur
a conviction. Nobody can find taul
with Mr. Gray for his mastery etfort
and the success which crowned it was
credit to his ability.
The jury, too, drank in the surrount
ing spirit that pervaded public opinion
and called aloud for a change. Sterl
honest men, they were determined tn:
so far as they We're concerned Grim
should be checked. hence their We
dict under the circumstances does N
initiate against their Judgment. The
felt as the Attorney-,eneral felt, and ;
the community felt. In their inten'
desire to check crime il can only he sal
against Them, without any retectic
upon them, that every doubt in the ca
seems to have been weighed against il
stead of for the prisoner.
Now the question arises, did not a
this intensity Of feeling tend To max
whose head is placed some of the pun
iShment tina, belonged to others mo
fortunate in escaping Even had h
trial been postponed until this month
term Of Court the public mind wouI
have been more couclliated and r.
determined upon the extreme punisI
ment.
1t is healthy sign 10 see a revolu'ic
in public sentiment i'll regard II Il
punishment OF crime. The peace an
protection of society rs we'll a. the -
prcmacy Of law demanded II. but
swinging back 10 a firm basis the turl
ing point or pivot upon which publ
opinion turns. should be firm and taul
less. i the case Of Lewis +. List sue
pivot without a flaw or weak place
The same public opinion is answerir
in the negative, 1t sees that there nu
be no doubts hanging around such a
important point. Seeing his the r
prieve Of List is now asked tDr by hU,
drrds Of those who Al first joined in Il
cry of Cruelty him, Shall he
executed? Justice, who has suffer,
many wrongs and outraGe>, bends h
stern head to say hat she would ratA
suffer many more than that one
whose guilt there i, . reasonable dout
huuld suffer.