The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1890-05-15
A PLEA FOR JUSTICE.

packing Ju1es. anu otiier coh-
duct Inconsistent with a sworn
officer of the court. The editor
of the Blade was sued for libel.
The testimony shows that the
editor told The truth. Referring
TO the case and the decision OF
the Judge, he Portsm outh Times,
Democratic. (Jim Newman's pa
PERI. has this 10 say. 1t is a note
of warning TO courts and officials:
Judge Dever, in his recent
decision IN the misbehavIor case.
said, an.l very truihfully. that,
.sthe public press could do much
toward holding up the courts,
and strengthening the hands oi
weak courts. and any court il
weak without public sentiment
behind it, lie further added
that, "it any considerable part OF
the commonly. whether il is the
public press or the individual
any considerable part OF he pub
lie were-to undertake TO bring
into disrepuie the courts; under
take TO break Them down, in-
stead of holding them up and
strengthening them. then just Ia
that exten: the administration OF
Justice becomes more and more
difficult"
The Times is in full accord
with these sentiments. 1t be-
lieves that every honest, impair
tial court is entitled to the pro.
found respect and moral support
of every citizen; and the press
sl,ouId speak of it only to inspire
public confidence. There is in
the breast of The American peo
pie an innate love of justice and
fair play. and they bow in re-
spect and admiration TO the
Judge, who is a faithful repre-
sentative OF this principle.
But 10 hold this confidence
and respect, a court. (and we
mean not only the judge upon
the bench, but all its ofiicers),
must command respect lit must
inspire confidence.
T II is a weak court indeed that
bends to win popular favor or
listens TO popular applause. II
is a weak court indeed that
would permit itself to be DONNA
ted by the press, or that would
fear its criticism or denuncia
ton What is needed is a court
above suspicion and an alien to
fear. One of the counsel in the
recent case, in what was little
else than a vindictive diatribe,
said that newspapers had attack
ed The integrity of the courts Of
this county, and he finally de-
clared that all voice of criticism
should be silenced, and that he
who dared question the integrity
of the court should he ''summar
ilv dealt with"
Is this the teaching of law Is
if the even hand of justice
Are citizens to be grossly Ii
belede Are they 10 be black.
mailed! Are their lives TO be
assailed. and no redress offered !?
Are witnesses subpOened 10 at
tend the courts 10 be tampered
with? Is their testimony to be
suppressed. and yet he who dares
complain CT any or all these
things, TO be threatened with
"summary" punishment in the
very halls of justice Is char
acter noihing? Is the life Of
private citizens nothing. and the
reputation of court officers every
things
The Times de nands nought
but justice. Justice for every
citizen, no matter how rich. no
matter how poor and humble !;
Justice in the courts and justice
outside the courts. 1t carries no
malice. 1t is inspired by no
thought, save that Of equal and
exact Justice. 1t respects courts;
but 1t admires and loves justice
more. Fl The administration Of
law ard justice has been cri'i-
cised, is it not better for these in
authority TO inquire If there
are whlsperings of suspicion. is
it not far better to bring the
charges to the front and 1nvesii
gate, than to illuminate thunder
bolts. and claim that every crlti-
cism is unjust and every suspic-
ion false?
Over six ceniaries ago the
brave barons of England extort
ed from King John that great
charter IF rights which became.
and still is, The foundation OF
English Liberty. And there
comes down TO us from The his
toric plains Of Runnymede-ring
ing through the centurles-shai
solemn promise. 'to none will
we sell, 10 none will we deny. to
none will we delay right or jus
tice."
We woald, indeed. be rejoiced
10 know that there was not in
this community a wide spread
feeling. among the very best
class of people, that. from hidden
causes, justice has in some cases
been delayed. it has been denied.
When a belief runs through the
public mind that tEis man or
that man cannot be indicted IN
our courts, and when in clear
and undisputed case. this belief
is verified. is it not time for the
press to speak ont IN warning
hnd the hand of correction should
be applied; if not, the people Will
some dav cry out in their virtu
Gus wrath.
The goddess of justice. We are
Taught. holds her scales with a
steady hand, ami with blinded
ewes. but she should rot sleep in
her temple.