The Case OF Amelia Norman.
{"character_count": 1915, "word_count": 337, "ccnet_language_score": [0.9453999996185303], "ccnet_perplexity": [1530.300048828125], "fasttext_language": ["en"]}
"Vindex' writes us very forcible letter N
condemnation of the acquittal OF Amelia Norman
contending that the Jury disregarded the law and
their oaths in rendering the verdict. We cannot
make room for his article, for any intelligent
reader will anticipate its line of argument and D.
nit its force. He says,


uJssk, then. again, for | wish to be informed
On what principle the Jury who tired this cause
rendered q verdict OF acquita


We answer-On the principle that the dellhe-
rate. plotting, impcnitent seducer IS wolf, who
NAV be sho: down any how any any where by
anv GOOD shepherd whose fold he has violated
hv anv sufferer from his fendlsh Expectations
Such we understand to be the philosophy of the
rendering in the cases of Singleton Mercer and
Amelia Norman. We are not affirming the SUI
fciency of this reasoning but stating ITS exist
ence. We see as clearly as Vindcx' the danger
of permitting such considerations to influence
Judicial decisions, and insist as strongly as ne on
reform He well says,


at becomes every good citizen TO stand firmly
against the current, and save Ii possible the sutd-
tions of the country from being swept away.


True enough and the first step to be taken Is
to Make the La,osjust and equal Let the Law
provide Just and salutary punishment for the
seducer, and we will join in condemning such
verdicts But so long adulterers and libertlnes
bear sway in our halls of legislation, and SO ad-
lust the laws as to punish numerically the poor
wretch driven by hunger to theft or burglary, yet
provide no penalty for the infinitely blacker
guilt of the seducer, so long will the Human
Heart revolt against the horrible iniquity which
the Law is invoked to cover and protect, and will
impcl verdicts which condemn the author OF
ruin and the laws which shield him rather thar
the miserable victim of both. No reform can be
effective which does not touch the evil at Its
source.