Pennsylvania v. Craig
Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas, Alleghany County
The defendants were indicted for a riot, in beating William Rowley. The provocation was, that Rowley said, that it was a burlesque on the county, that old Mr. Craig (the father of the two Craigs, and then lately dead) should be a county commissioner. It was doubtful whether the evidence affected any but Charles Craig; and there was no count for an assault and battery. expatiated on the provocation, and stated, that there could be no conviction unless three were guilty.
1Opinion of the Court
President.
Government is established, to restrain the passions of men, by certain rules. Whether these rules be the best, that might be established, or not; while they exist, they must be presumed the best, or, whether or not, they must be submitted to. We are set, to execute, not to make, laws. Juries are not courts of honour or discretion, at liberty to do as they please, but bound by oath, to judge according to truth, and the rules of the state, that is the laws. According to our laws, no words, however irritating, will justify a battery. Our laws allow force only to repel force.
It is the…
2Cited by1 opinion
- Commonwealth v. SpartacoSuperior Court of Pennsylvania · 1931