Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1891-12-03
The Election Riot Case.

Public attention cannot be too care
fully drawn to the danger to all per-
sonal rights-political as well as of prop
erty-which comes from bringing into
dlsrespect our tribunals Of Justice
whether by faithless juries to whom the
law is entrusted, or assaults by partisan
press upon Judge for his refusal to
bring party feeling into his instructions
TO Jury.
Both these assaults upon our most
valued institutions have been illustrated
by the refusal of Republican jurors to
bring in verdict clearly demanded by
the law and the facts and by the edi-
torials of the Morning Ne,os attacking
Judge Cullen because he sought to con-
fine the jury to the only issues in the
case before him. 1t is scandal when
such things occur, and the public should
be warned of the danger.
How this miscarriage of Justice is re-
garded at the State capital is set forth
in the following editorial from the Dover
IndeD:
In these days we hear a great deal of
talk about rings and bosses. We do not
believe in either. We believe in organiza-
ton and leaders; for it is only by such
agencies that the will of the people can
obtain just and fair expression in the
laws and policy of the government. A
ring, the spirit of which goes to the extent
Of invading the courts of criminal Justice
Tor the purpose OF shielding its conspira-
tors against fair election from the conse-
quences of their guilt is OF all things the
most abhorrent and detestable. The Re
publican ring of Wilmington will not
suffer anything to come between it and
the attainment of its diabolical ends. II
might with propriety, adopt for its motto
voX dlaboli, for verify, il goes whitherso
ever his satanic majesty leadeth it.
AT the late municipal election in vii.
mington, this ring deemed it necessary to
prevent fair expression Of the popular
will at some of the polling places in order
to make sure of the election of its candi,
date for mayor and majority of the coun
cllmen. BY brute force some of the white
Republican heelers and negro roughs
actually drove the election officers of an
election precinct from their post of duty
and then carried on the election to suit
themselves. AT the present term of the
| New Castle county court the guilty parties
were arraigncd aud after full hearing
whereby their guilt was made unmistak-
ably clear, the four Republican Jurors OF
the panel drawn to try the issue Joined
between them and the State voted against
their conviction and thereby allowed thes,
culprits to go unwhipped Of justice. Such
verdict no doubt was intended to gave
notice to this ring that in the future, nc
matter how llagrant may be the act and
purpose of Republican ringsters to impede
and destroy the freedom of elections in
this State no jury could be empaneed
composed in part of Republicans, that
would convict them.
The Republicans, however, are not salts
fled with partisan verdict, they wanted
charge from the court that would give the
color of honesty and fair play to the con
duct Of Republican Jurors in Withholding
Their assent to verdict Of guilty, henc,
the Morning NepS openly charged Judg,
cullen with delivering a One-sded opinion
to the Jury as to the law governing the cas-,
and complimented the dissenting Republi
can jurors for disregarding the law as ait
down by the court and the testimony de
livered from the witness stand.
Such ring is an institution of which al
good people have right to complain |
is not only fatal to fair elections but is ,
menace TO the peace and good order of so
ciety. If the Morning Nacs reflects tn,
opinion Of the Republican party in New
Castle county in its attack upon higl
judicial officer like Judge Cullen, who's
, integrity, ability and freedom from parti
| san bias are acknowledged by all intelli
gent and fair-minded people, then tina
party has evidently gravtated by virtu
I Of It's iniqiiities to d very low plane of Nc
, lltical thought and action. Ii is no won
der that ring organized and inspired b
such men as Higgins, Bach, Mahaffy
Co., receives conntenance and support ii
Republican councils. and further, il is n
wonder that such men are put forwar
:, and recognized as the Republican leader
in this State.