Today, I am thankful for the precept that everyone deserves equal and fair treatment, irrespective of their personal beliefs or purported actions.
The great Greek philosopher Socrates espoused to the principle of justice. As he noted, an individual, a small group, and an entire society need to arrive at a set of truths regarding everything from law and justice to abstract topics such as morality, ethics, and courage. His personal steadfast belief was that virtue could only be derived from “doing good”, and one could never waver from this belief. This ‘moral absolutism’ would form the basis of modern Western philosophy and our current legal system. It also formed the system of most modern governments. The US Constitution, including the Bill of Rights, speaks to the tenets of fair, just, and equal treatment for all. In addition to certain freedoms, we are all afforded the right to a speedy, public trial by an impartial jury and with the assistance of counsel; protection from being tried for the same crime twice; and safeguards from cruel and unusual punishments. These rights went into effect in 1791, but about 2 decades before, these were already on display in the British colonies.
Let me explain.
On this day (Mar 5) exactly 250 years ago (1770), British soldiers shot and killed 4 individuals in a gathered crowd on what is now State Street in downtown Boston. This ‘Boston Massacre' caused significant outrage in the colonies, resulting in the eventual arrest of 8 British soldiers. As patriots like Samuel Adams and Paul Revere capitalized on the event by offering the unfortunate event as proof of British aggression and royal hatred & disregard of colonial America, the governor of the colonies, Thomas Hutchinson, called for a fair investigation and just trial for the soldiers. So, he asked one of the most fervent patriots, John Adams, to represent the soldiers. At first, Adams objected but he finally acquiesced, inevitable knowing it was the right thing to do.
As the trial unfolded, the actual events that led to the firing into the crowd began to crystallize. The British soldiers had maintained significant restraint and composure, despite being bullied by a hostile crowd. Bostonians had pummeled the soldiers with snowballs and stones, spit ruthlessly in their faces, and verbally assaulted them. Adams argued that the ruthless lawlessness of the colonial mob had spurred and threatened the soldiers. The jury agreed – 6 of the 8 men were acquitted while the 2 who fired directly in the crowd were convicted of manslaughter (and their punishment reduced to public branding on the thumb).
Justice was served. Impartiality was maintained. Order was restored, at least for the time being. On that day, our judicial system faced its first test, and it passed with flying colors. Socrates would have been so proud.
Comments