Gradations in Crime by Editor

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Dec 14, 1882

Gradations in Crime.

By Editor

THE law does recognize different degrees in crime, but the men whose duty it is to enforce the laws seem to have become confused as to their purport, and invert the intended order. Three cases have recently come to our notice by means of the daily press. We give them in the reverse order of their occurrence. 1. A Chinaman in San Francisco was convicted of smuggling half a pound of opium. For this offense he was promptly fined fifty dollars. 2. A short time before, from a vessel in the bay, two white men were detected in the act of smuggling 10,000 pounds of the same drug. The enormity of the crime seemed to appall the officials, for up to the present time nothing has been done about the matter with the exception of an occasional newspaper mention. 3. Frank James, brother of the notorious Jesse, himself a well-known robber and murderer, who for years has led the life of a lawless bandit, and has distinguished himself as the slayer of many unarmed and inoffensive citizens, has grown weary of dodging the officers of the law, and given himself up. If he were a representative of one of the powers of Europe he could not receive more marked attention. The Governor of the State (Missouri), Judges, and all the first (?) citizens press for the honor of shaking his hand; and bouquets are sent him every day, by ladies who have furnished the room where he is temporarily detained, like a palace. Nobody has any doubt that he will receive an unconditional pardon. The sentiment of justice seems to be fast dying out. And in this we see another evidence that we are now in the last days, for the prophet in speaking of the time just preceding the coming of the Lord, says: “And judgment is turned away backward, and justice standeth afar off; for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter.” Isa. 59:14.