Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1891-07-02

er trifing circumstances led the official:
to fix upon Mr.. Clark as the probable
author of the crime. This step taken
| 1t became necessary to do all that was
possible to establish the point taken in
order TO give warrant to proceedings
against him. 1t seems like an anomo-
lous state of affairs that the State, pre-
snmed to exist for the purpose of pro-
tecting the life and property Of citizens
finds itself, as in this case, directing its
energies towards their destruction. Ev-
cry citizen of the state, however inno-
cent he may be, is liable to be placed
in this position, as was Mr.. Clark.
While honor, integrity and previous
conduct Of life, may count for much,
they cannot always relieve men from
suspicion, and may prove too weak for
the circumstances in which they are plac
ed. The State may have been justified
in every step of the proceedings against
Mr.. Clark, though we sometimes think
that in cases similar to this, if not in
this. it is anxious to press point a.
gainst a man, and viii even assume
that he is guilty, thus violating one OF
the first principles of law. la the case
of Mr.. Clark il appears that the State
took him from lds home, deprived him
OF his liberty, subjected him to great
expense to prove himself innocent, and
then dropped him. And all this be-
cause certain individuals representing
the State, thought, for what seemed to
them sufficient reasons, that he was
guilty of a great crime. In what con-
dition has it left Mr.. Clark 1t cannot
but have changed mis- social relations.
He win always be known as a man who
has been tried for murder. No man
may see the mark OF Cain upon him,
but he will feel the wound in his own
soul. His estate has been impaired,
and now what does the State which has
treated him so roughly, propose to do
with him? 1t simply drops him. 1t
seems to act upon the principle that he
ought to be thankful that he escaped as
well as he did. In view of the fact
that we are liable to be treated as Mr.. |
Clark was treated, we object to the
accorded to him. II is not
enough that he be allowed his former
liberty, he should be allowed some
for the wrongs he has
suffered. There may be no way of rem
dering compensation for the disgrace
inflicted upon him, but the State can
reimburse him for the expenseto which
it has subjected him, and pour some
balm into the wounds which it has
made, through a money consideration.
We do not ask the State to change its
general course of proceedings in the
case OF suspected persons, but it should
impose fine upon itself in case it ap-
pears that it has acted too hastily or
upon insufficient grounds. That treat
nent which the State through its laws,
REQUIRES that each citizen should accord
o every other citizen, it itself should,
.hough acting in the highest legal ca
,acity, be compelled to accord to each
Individual. Justice demands that the
wrongs which men suffer shall be re-
lressed in some way. Mr.. Clark suf-
ers great wrong at the hands of the
State, who can redress that wrong ex-
,ept the State! But the State does not
assume to redress any such wrongs, so
hat while we are ostensibly enjoying
he greatest freedom and protection we
ire liable at any moment to find our
elves deprived of both. We believe
hat in some states an effort has been
made to secure the passage of laws to
compensate men for injuries thus infiict-
d. but we have not yet reached that
Iegree of civilization where such laws
an be enacted. Writers on matters
,ertaining to society and good govern
nent occasionally touch upon this topic ,
,ut it has never been pressed suf-
iciently to attract general attention. 1t !
nav be that cases are not sufficiently
reouent. that too few men are wrong I
d to call for a vigorous protest. But
hose who are wronged, whether few !
r many need redress. We ask of the {
tate that it put Mr.. Clark in the posi- ;
ion he was in before it touched him, e
o far as this is possible, and if it can