Year: 1871

Some of our exchanges have begun to view crime in the ligh, of an epidemic, and eer- tainly s plausible theory would seem to be all that is now wanting to establish it as .uch. It iss remarkable, as we'll as most deplorable, fact, that--at least on the iron ,ies-a single case of murder is of rare O. currence; 1t would appear that the frenzy which impels human being 10 sacrifice the life of bis fellow man, has no sooner been gratided tban the demon of murder takes ion of some one else. and the tragedy cf blood is re-enActed.

 The list of homicides which we this week present to our readers pictures most dis ordered social system; a contempt of law, and criminal spirit which would seem to call for powerful remedy. There must be something radically wrong in community where man of vicious character has the privilege of shooting down, as though he were dog, him that he imagines would fain do him an injury, and who, after having thus perpetrated the blackest crime known to the laws of men and that especially forbidden by the Divine laws, will be permitted to enjoy liberty with impunity, in the face of the law which he has condemned and the society which he has outraged. There is laxity in the quality of justice, as administered in Arizona, which bids fair to take the correc- ton of abuses out ot the hands of those whose duty it is 10 punish offenders under the law, and place it in the hands Of extrem- isu who will not look for evidence to justify them in final execution. With the single eX- ception Of Arizona there Is, perhaps, no Ter rtory of the United States in which mob law has never existed or, at least, been manifested upon some occasion, and the credit of this is due to the masses alone--no part of II be- longing to the indifferent observance of justice by the courts-and speaks volumes for tue lsw-abiding spirit of the people. But unre- strained power must not be too heavily tax ed. There is point at which forbearance ceases to he virtue. l. is s gi..;nS and ugly truth that, although capital punishment stands in full force upon our statutes, the most aggravated cases of murder have pass ed through the Courts of the Territory with their colors flying at the masthead and found a haven of rest under the arm of the law which, having the power, had not the prestige to punish the murderer and set an example to the criminal classes. The great secret of the reign of homicide is the mpu. nity with which 1t may be perpetrated; and ID tnc name oi tne people, we cali upon the courts Of justice 10 perform their part. Mob law is not species of justice to be invited or encouraged; it is a last and terrible recourse but it will inevitably come to this if oul Court. continue 10 gloss over the darkest crimes with the dye of justification. He who will deliberately take the life of his fellow man, exoep. It be in self defence has no claim upon the iympIhy o any member of the community in which he lives. He has, however, this claim, that jus tee be done him when he is placed on trial ", in such case. be be proven innocent of th, crime charged, he will go free but if founC guilty, let justice also prevail. It is a sac task to take the life of fellow being ever ey process Of law, yet it is better that

 criminal perish in accordance therewith thai that an innocent man be shot down, upon th streets or in the highways, by such an one