The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1901-01-19
JUDGE RANsDELL'S CHARGE TO
THE GRAND JURY.

aud prosperity cannot exist, where a
proper regard Is not shown for
the equal rights OF both labor and
capital, aud respected alike by the
people; the one is not Likely to hunt a
home, nor the other to seek invest
ment where life and property are not
sacredly protected by the courts and
the law"
Gentlemen, these words are wise.
and are the keynote to conditions
confronting us IN this parish to-day.
where | charge you that a proper re-
gard is not had for the law add where
the rights of individuals and the lives
of men are too slightly esteemed.
Lawlessness not only affects the le-
gal status of a community. but disor-
ganizes society, impairs trade add con-
demns, in the eyes OF Humanity and
civilization, the society which permits
to go unpublished acts which disturb
peace and dignity, put law and order
al defiance, and destroys the lives and
property of its citizens, W HON govern
ment is supposed 10 protect. But
does Il? You are to answer the cues.
ton, gentlemen. aud If in the mega
tive, then in the name of Justice, in the
name of right, by the sacred honor of
your families and The sanctity of your
homes, exercise the great power vest
ed In you, and purge this community
OF crime aud disorder, and make
effective the laws of our country.
mention your families and your
homes, because they are dependent up
on you for protection. | ask you in
the name OF the women of Louisiana.
whose beauty of person, grace of mau-
ner and purity of life urge us 10
shield them unsullied even from the
thought of crime, aud to destroy the
possibilities of Its horrors being flung
in their faces, as il too often lie IN our
fair country.
1t may be possible, gentlemen, for
us TO stand lawlessness, but do you
want 10 expose your wifes aud your
daughters, your mothers and sisters
to il? Most cert ainly not; therefore
punish the law breaker. We make
the laws and we execute them. Do
we exercise this grave trust imposed I
IN US by the Ruler of the universe, or
assumed by us, aud which we jeal-
ously guard, as we should? Don't all |
of us, TO greater or less extent, wink !,
at crime? Yes, aud what is the effect
of II? A multiplication of criminals.
The young and the ignorant see what
we do, copy us, and starting on the
wrong road, quit winking at the crimes
of others and become themselves Grim
inals. The world knows il and shuns
US, and thus, by the laxity ia the ex.
ecniion of our laws, coantenance of
The law breaker aud negative encour-
agement of crime, we stand condemned
by our individual method, condemned
as parties TO the cultivation or Gre
alton of criminals, and condemned by
that ever-growing number-widowed
aud orphaned-by the hard of neigh
Dor or friend, In some unexpected
encounter, because, forsooth, that
neighbor or friend had not been pun
ished for breaking openly and daily
the law against concealed weapons.
There are criminals aud criminals.
Some are criminals by nature, design,
habit or profession. Others are GRIM
imals as a result of circumstances, or
anger There are individuals in. all
whose responsibility
and disregard for the rights of others,
Is an eternal menace to life aud prop
erly, their own good and 10 that of
others. Such persons are engines of
destruction. The conscisnees of men,
the purity of women, human life aud
property rights are their victims. |,
Such people live by crime. Then
there are others who, suddenly aug. !,
cred, or being intoxicated, or for y
some cause. which they do not have a a
sufficient regard for law aud order 10 '
resist, become criminals by the doing y
of al unlawful act. f4r
Lax administration OF, justice, by =
officers of the law, and. half hearted .
disapprobation by society, is the food =
upon which corruption fattens. q
Moral cowardice and false pity are d
It's guardians. Official weakness, per- h
sonal friendship and false sentiment. O.
encourage the law breaker generally.
By failure in our duty, or by an 81
exercise of the duties o,
entrusted to US, we license crime and s
.hus tend to cultivate instead of re- al
,training IL. le u
To be success as criminal off,
,ers, we must be thorough, severe u =,
ind impartial. We cannot expect :,
,ne law to be observed when we per- =,
nit another to be broken at will, %
'annot expect to prevent petty lar b,
'eny when We do not hunt the, homi- ks
idle to the gallows or penitentiary ST
nd when we permit the Sunday-law d.
reaker to grow rich by virtue of his ps
Unlawful practices. The law should dc
e just, and deal with all men alike. a
IAN we license one class of criminals he
nd effectually restrain another? co
not! And when we at ~
smpt such, we create trouble for ~
nrseives and posterity, outrage our ,al
snse of right, degrade moral as we'll on
} criminal law, and damn acts in our mi
wn and in the eyes of others, or
hich have for their only justifica- an
on the frailty OF men, and whose of
suits are baneful and blighting. DIR,
am not preaching, gentlemen of The
e jury; | am holding counsel with ga,
u, my associates, In the execution ths
the laws of the state, with ne
'orn officers, who accepted a most
portaut trust, with those whom / nna
lieve will exercise their grave du- a ma
s in manner worthy the men who svs
impose your tribunal and men wor- har
7 the great trust the state, in its wa,
ftred wisdom, has endowed You nee
d. & iunr