The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-09-09
WHERE IS JUSTICE FOUND.
Recent DeplOrnbIc Cases Before the
Courts How They Arc Viewed.
/ SnffOll No Sant 1onc

SUFFOLK. Va, Sept. 5, 1896.
Editor VirGinian:
We are taught to believe that in the
courts each man shall have his dues
that what is wrong will be made right
and Justice be melted out to all Put
alas. this is belief too often ulustrat
ed Attention has been especially di-
rected of late 10 the town of Suffolk in
which so many disgraceful deeds have
been brought to light-deeds committed
DIV men of high standIng-whu were
public EXAMPLES and models for the ris.
ing generation. who, in q moment of
weakness. fell from positions of trust
honor and responsibility, henceforth to
receive the contempt. condemnation and
dlstrust of their fe!lowmen. This dark
cloud which has but recently settled
over the principal town of Nansemond
threatening the peace and happiness of
ITS citizens and soiling its hitherto fair
name. made Its appearance last year
when popular county official defaulted
after ENJOYING the confidence of the peo-
ne Tor decade or more. This was u
sad blow to all. Then the daShing bank
| bookkeeper proved to the world the
double life he had been leading and the
| paYes of his life book. black with thir-
zen years of wrong and wrong doing.
was read by the public, and all realized
the injury done the community. as well
| AS the bank. There was loud muir
muir of Indignation. and all right think
| ing peoDle said. Let him suffer for his
| deeds"
| But no! There was an under current
OF false sympathy. and those in power
| were so influenced that there was hlr-
rled tfial OF one indictment, and the case
was quickly dismissed and disposed OF
| ana the offcnder. STEPPED in sin. was
| SlNen brief period III the penitcntiary.
he was showered with tender regrets,
farewell speech of coincidence and
GOOD wishes from the Judge.
~ Door boy without money or influence
was sentenced to term of six years for
|housebreaking. when the amount stolen
was not over dollar and half. What
are we 10 conclude? That there is no
Justice ON earth. But we all know sin
brings It's own punishment, for
'Remorse the fatal egg by pleasure laid
! In every bosom where her nest is made
Watch'd by the beams of truth denies
| him rest
And proves a raging scorpion in his
| breast"
Now. in case just closed so unsatis-
| factorilv see the sentiment of the pub
| lie. and vet the amount misappropriat-
ed Nv the Town Treasurer was not
more than half the amount stolen by
| The bank bookkeeper. and in this in
stance the press does not hesitate to
use It's voice against the former, or
| scruDle to publish the plainest truths
etc'' as II should DO True this matter
more nearly concerns the people than the
other in financial sense at least, but is
| not the principle the same?
| Is ii not a very momentous fact. If
properly considered. that a LIES des-
| tiny Is so often decided by twelve men?
And Is 1t not passing strange that these
men are frequently men of ordinary in
| tellect and inferior judgements and
PRINCIPLES. wholly incompetent of
weighing the facts and arguments of a
case and are either biased by sentiment
or prejudice. or weak enough to be
| bribed? Should not more care and
| forethouEh be used in the selection of so
important q body? 1t seems so. There
Is glorious satisfaction in the thought
that our eternal welfare is not to be
| decided by an earthly tribunal. The
end or the age seems to be mems in
creasinG love OF gain. They are grow
ing too ambitious. too graspng and
worldly. They should pause to think
and realize that.
I'VE live in deeds not in years; in
thoughts not figures on dial,
| We should count time by heart throbs,
He most lives
VINO thinks most feels noblest, acts the
| best.
Life is but a means unto an end-that
! end-God."
~zENI."