The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1889-06-12
Wednesday, June IL, 1889.
Saeredness From Newspaper Conn
ment.

ment.
The wisdom of counsel for defense is con
stantly discovering new grounds for the ae
auittal of their clients, and the READINGS
with which some of the people and some
the brethren of the press accept mere clal
trap rs oracles must be no less astounding t
him who does his own thinking than 1t is 4
him who utters the strange doctrine. HoH
any lawyer must laugh in his sleeve at tn
credulity of people for accepting the theor!
that crimals are above criticism.
In South Carolina the naughty. very naugh
ty, newspapers who have the courage to de,
nounce crime, seem to furnish the bes
grounds for the acquittal of those who com
init otherwise inexcusable and unaccount
able crimes. Some one, it may be, havint
looked wise and talked knowingly about
"trial by jury" &C., suddenly .discoVers ina
newspapers in commenting on crime, actuai
ly commit a greater offense than dld th'
slayer whose hands may be red to the very
arm. .pits with brothers blood. Then wist
brethren Of the press, we presume without
affecting to be more just than their brethren
magnify the sacredness Of criminals from tina,
'.just censure which may follow the true
event"
The newspapers in America are responsible
and accountable for whatever they write, ano
Improperly or unjustly, they may be brought
into Court, and punished according to the
gravity OF their offense. If then, they have
done injustice to any one charged with crime
let them be brought to the same bar of jus
tice to which they are equally accountable
with the slayer of men.
lo,,, III hov
son to fear the power Of the press.
Criminals, however, in all ages have been
the enemies of free press, and despots have
ever sought to destroy them and their in
iuence.
"Let 1t be instilled into the hearts Of your
children that the liberty Of the press Is the
palladium Of all your rights"
The comments Of the press are made upon
the facts, as furnished to them, and in ma.
jority OF cases, their comments are based
upon facts which are brought out at the
coroner's Inquest, upon the testimony ol
sworn witnesses.
Until we have some "Star chamber" busi'
ness, whatever that may mean, the testi-
mony must be delivered In open CORTLAND
not in secret. All Court proceedings are legi-
innate subjects for proper criticism, even II
the bloody deeds Of the accused should be
above criticism.
We may discuss the action Of the President,
but the criminal who slays his brother must
be saved from criticism!
Any action Of the Governor, may be cen
sured. but the act OF killing nelghbor must
be mentioned with bated breath.
The decisions of the Supreme Court may
be commented on, and we may say "a bad
nigger'' has been killed by respectable lamb
like nelghbor, but if the newspapers soy a
it is "trlal by newspapers" and therefore the
Circuit Court should acquit the accused.
When q man commits an act of blood
which shocks the whole community, the
newspapers must stand aghast, and lkeer
silence. Ye gods and ministering angels
defend us from such superstition.
The newspapers, BY their silence, may be
regarded as the criminals friend. By de
nouncing crime and demanding the enforce
ment Of the law, they are on the side of law
and order-whether that be right or wrong.
The fact is that public sentiment has ex
ceeding little to do with the acquittal or con-
viction OF anybody who may be tried by an
honest drawn jury. Such juries try cases by
the law and the evidence.
In our own opinion, no fear need be enter.
tained that any jury will do any moro than
full and exact justice. Ifthey err, they lean
TO mercy's side.
We have men on the jury Commission Of
Abbeville county, who will do their duty.
and will draw the jury according to law. We
have implicit faith In any jury which is fair
ly drawn according 10 law.
Our jury commission are so determined
that there shall not be even the least oppor-
trnity for suspeeting sleight of hand per
formances. that they, for the last twoCourts
have invited witnesses TO be present at the
drawing. and we hope that this new plan Of
drawing juries in the presence of witnesses
may last forever.