Appeal to the Law.

Cromwell Argus, Volume III, Issue 146, 27 August 1872, Page 7

Appeal to the Law.

Society, which begin in self-reliance, and which, without that quality even more fully developed than we ace it in animals, could not have begun to exist, seems to lay down at its maturity the very weapons by which it was gained. A social citizen retains his anger, and even suspends his right of selfdefence. Natural advantages are not profited by. Instead of returning the blow, he s >eks the police and the magistrate. With clean hands, he enters the court, and demands the protection of the laws he obeys. Yet this very man probably may have commanded armies, or slain wild beasts, or timed the most stubborn steed. Cribb, the prizefighter, was termed "The Champion of England." Like most of his calling, he despised needless quarrelling, and by inanv better men than the writer was thought to be both sensible and humane. Walking the streets, he met in collision a hasty gentleman turning a corner. Cribb raised his hat, and "begged pardon." But the gentleman had taken"lessons from Belcher. Up were his mauleys,— one, two, three, —and blows were planted in Oribb's face. Claret flowed. Cribb collared him with his long left arm, and as he held him in an iron vice, thus addressed him, not striking. " Were T, young sir, to lay my right hand on you, a month's sickness, at t&e very least, were yours. I shall do no such thing. I shall give you into custody, and demand protection from the law." This was done, and at the police court Tom Cribb modestly stated his case. " I am, may it please your worships, a publican; have been a prizelighter. .So long as T conduct myself peaceably and well, f am not to be insulted, and I am not to be compelled to beat people merely because of my former life. 1 ought not to be liable to the dangers of injuring them seriously as well as of being annoyed myself daily. 1 charge this man with assault."'