The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1888-02-03

fully, and without dissenting voice, delivered
an opinion that proved that the elective iu-
dietary to its lasting honor will decide the
law undismayed by the fiercest storm that
ever burst on the American court / mention
in sorrow and without comment that one of
the greatest of these journals the next day
printed wood-cut OF Justice weeping and
the words, " GU can buy good deal Of law
for 100000"
With all Difference to these the great journ-
nails OF our country, call you this liberty
What, them. "unbridled license?" Has the
publisher or editor a privilege above his fell
low citizens? Shall the courts become the
puppets of the press ? Is trial by newspapers
to be substituted for trial by jury Are these
gentlemen SO gifted beyond other mortals
that they can without study intuitively grasp
the exact niceties of the most profound OF
sciences, and with omniscient power reach
the truth of a cause without waiting for the
evidence? Arejurors to be threatened and
made to fear that unless the verdict suits the
press they suffer, if not in person, at least in
businessy
Shall the personalities of the impersonal
press be leveled at learned, pure and upright
judges who from the dignity of Office, can
not defend themselves?
III all this can be done without one word of
protest in these peat eiul, prosperous and
happy times, what may not be dreaded when
the populace is convulsed with unreasOning
passion and the mightiest of orators is "dis.
posed TO stir minds and hearts to mutiny
and rage? Then all the safeguards which
the traditions of centuries, the advance of
pubic liberty, the enlightened spirit of the
age Magma and Constitution have built to
guard the rights of an accused, 10 protect the
moor and rich nltLn ;,, -,
violate the rights of man by pure admins
tration Of justice, all these hallowed safe
guards will be battered down and destroyed.
Every man accused of an offence has q
constitutional right to q trial according to
law; even if guilty lie ought not to be con-
victed and undergo punishment unless on
legal evidence and with all the forms which
have been devised for the security of life and
liberty. These are the panoply Of innocence
unjnstly arraigned, and you cannot deprive
guilt of it without removing it from limo
cence." From the same great legal authority
quote the following:
mo court or jury are invested with an ar
bitrary discretion to determine cause &C.
cording to their mere notions of Justice.
Such discretion vested in any body of men
would constitute the most appalling of des-
potisms. Law, and justice according to law
this is the only secure principle upon
which the controversies of men can be de-
cided. 1t is better, on the whole, that few
particular cases of hardship and injustice
arising from defect of evidence or the I'M
bending character of some strict rule of law
should be endured than that general insecure.
ty should pervade the community from the
arbitrary discretion Of the Judge. 1t is this
which has blighted the countries of the East
as much as cruel laws or despotc execut-
tivcs." (SAarewood.) may be asked, Should
the press be silent as when Tweed ruled and
wicked and corrupt judges bartered law? l
answer, when proof is manifest denounce
Them. Petition the Legislature to impeach.
They will be tried here in the Senate, and if
found guilty stripped of the ermine and con-
demned to endless niamy.
Publish as the law expressly permits true,
full and fair reports" but forbear comment
until the trial be over and judgment entered.
Surely it is unnecessary in your presence,
TO details the evils that may ensue from the
interference of the press with the admins
tration of justice. borrow thought of
Burke, though cannot on the moment find
the wordlng-the very end and aim of free
government is to secure twelve impartial men
in the jury box.
The whole scope and design are to pre-.
serve the rights of the individual man. These
rights are adjudicate in our halls of Justice
II denied TO the lowest or 10 the exalted, if
justice be not impartially administered by
equal laws, then our government has lost its
aud sooner or later must tumble into
chaos.