The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1900-03-16
As TO THE BLACK CASE.

otherwise they will receive no attention.
As TO THE BLACK CASE.
In view of the universal interest felt
throughout our community in regard
to the case of William Black, who is
now in custody of the law, charged
with having been the perpetrator of
the recent outrage near Aberdeen, a
representative of The 4tgis lately
sought an interview with Judge Wat
tiers, and, as it is needless to say,
found him very willing to communi-
cate to the public all the information,
on the subject, in his power. The
Judge explained and emphasized his
willingness by commenting on the
high order of intelligence which char
acterises the community in which we
live, and the law-abiding element
which distinguishes the citizenship
we boast of. He is not disposed to
criticise harshly the passion which is
instinctively aroused by the perpetra-
tion Of an outrage upon the laws of
humanity, such as lately occurred
amongst US. We are human above all
else. We have an instructive feeling
that the laws of humanity i'm posed by
our Creator have a higher source and
are more binding than the laws we
make for our own government and
protection. The best of men may
yield momentarily to their human in
stincts, but the duties OF citizenship
make instinct subordinate to reason.
Passion must give way to sober second
thought. Cannot we trust the Deity
to enforce His own laws2 Human
laws are necessary for the protection
of man against man. The highest de-
.velopment of civilization is in the de-
vising of beneficent laws for our gov
eminent and protection. The highest
development of citizenship is in the
orderly, impartial and relentless en-
forcement of human laws. The officers
OF the law in Hartford county have
duty Of the greatest responsibility
resting upon them at this time; if we
perform that duty without fear or
favor, the people Of the county will
stand by and sustain us. If we fail
we will merit censure as we'll as receive
1t.
When asked whether the grand
jury would be brought together under
the late Act of Assembly the Judge
said: II think not. Ihave examined
the law and the questions likely to
arise under it, and am satisfied my
self that the Court has the right TO
call the late grand jury back to in
vestigate the late assault and if any
Indictment should be found it would
not be Initiated by any defect In the
grand jury. Then comes the question
of expediency. Our next regular term
of Court is only few weeks off and
find that my opinion of the late Act
of Assembly is not fully sustained by
the opinion of some of our ablest law
yers. Ithas been suggested that mas
much as, under the law as it stood
when the late grand jury was finally
discharged it was not liable to be re-
called it became absolutely defuIct
and cannot be rehabilitated with judi
cial functions by a legislative act. do
not myself share this view to any de-
gree but the fact that such view exists
in the minds of some in whom have
confidence, necessarily raises doubt.
A suggestion made to me by lawyer
in whose knowledge and judgment
and experience have confidence, has
had much force in determining my ac-
ton. 1t is to this effect The late
Act, raises questions which have
never been passed upon by our Court
ofAppeals. II Black should be indicted
and convicted under it his counsel
would probably consider it his duty
to his client to secure the opinion of
the Court Of Appeals before permit
ting the sentence to be executed. This
would cause a delay of several months.
In the administration of criminal law
avoidable delays should not be risked
the law should pursue the criminal
with the relentlessness of fate. The
relentlessness of the law constitutes,
to great degree, the terror of the law.
Therefore have concluded that it is
best, on the whole, to let this case
stand for the May term"
In answering the question when
Black would be brought to Bel Air,
the Judge smiled little and said:
Hav'nt you sometimes observed
that "scant occasion" is great aid to
virtuous principles in producing
virtuous conduct2 Now, however law
abiding and self-restrained our people
may be, it does not seem to me best to
subject their self-control to unneces-
sary tests. You may tell your readers
that Black will be brought to Bel Air
whenever his presence here shall be-
come necessary.