Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1829-07-02
TOBIAS WATKINS CASE.

| TOBIAS WATKINS CASE.
| We are neither the defenders nor the apollo
gists Of this man. I'VE believe tina, he isguiliy
of some il not all of the acts charged against
him aud he ought therefore TO be legally
punished j; but we do not wish to see the forms
and spirit of the law riolaied in order that ,he
vindctive feelings of the present administration
against him may be gratifed. Because Tobias
Watkins has violated the trust reposed in him
by the government, 1t does not necessarily fol-
low that the government should violate the
laws to punish him. If this has not already
been done, il is because the Judges have inter
| posed, with irmness which reflects on them
much credit, the shield which the Constiiu-
ton has placed in their hands for the protection
Of those who may be made the subject of ma
licious or illegal prosecutions. AS fast as one
indictment is quashed by the Court, new one
is laid before the Grand Jury. The Jury re-
fuse TO draught il in the words which the Coun-
sci for the prosecution dictate TO them, be-
find such an indictment, and forthwith the col
umus of the Telegraph commence deiaming
and threatening them and the U. States coun-
sci call on the court 10 force them into COM
assertions that there never was before, in any
country which boosted of its freedom and OF
;tc ISus sttch bqr sIuCpu 81 IN
interfere with he rights Of Jury-an interior.
ence which, if il had been successful, must ne.
ccssarily have rendered the preliminary forms
of criminal proceedings mere farce, and MT
only opened the door 10 rank perjury, but C, IN
PEELED the commission Of il. We repeat, we
are neither the defenders nor the apoi ogi,ts Of
DR.. Watkins-and it is no wish that he should
escape the punishment due 10 his deinquencies
that dictates these remarks. But, so long as
laws and customs are deemed necessary
as guides for our Courts of Justice, let moi
that men in power (aIways too formidable
when they arrsyh against individually may
reach one who has, from any cause, rendered
hmsel obnoxious.
The argument of Gen. Walter Jones, on the
motion OF the prosecuting counsel, that the
Court should call in the Grand Jury, and in
struct them that the facts found by them a.
! mounted to forgery, (without which they had
decided that DR.. Watkins was not indctable,)
is entirely conclusive Of its utter inadmissibili-
ty, if we regard either the justice or The mo-
rails of the country. In addition 10 the con
clusiyeness Of Gen. Jones's argument, he states
some circumstances which have attended the
prosecution of Watkins, which show that he
esgerness manifested TO punish him is princi
pally the effect oil pc ,ticdI feelings against him,
excited by his opposition TO the election of
Gen. Jackson-wlich seems to be regarded at
murder and robbery are trivial matters--lsf
that the witnesses before the Grand Jury were
sworn not TO give evidence as TO any specific
offence but, in general terms, 10 sredr against
DR.. Watkins-and in consequence of the rules
Of proceeding which had been adopted per.
jury might have been heaped upon perjury
without any remedy from any human tribu-
nai'-and oily, that, although "Amos Ken
dali was sworn among the witnesses, he was
al liberty TO swear 10 any thing he pleased, rs
he was not suorn 10 gire eridence against Tobias
Halking The Argument on the moiion of
Mr.. Swami had not been concluded at the date
of our las, Washington papers.
We close these remarks, by quoting, in full,
, from Gen Jo"es's speech, the following portrait
Of Duff Green, drawn by one who knows him
WE'LL as DaF does also the painter. Il will
show how the official organ Of the government,
is regarded in Washington City, BY the respec
table portion ofthe community. 1t is not ne
: cessary to say that Gen, Jones's character /.
0 Irreproachabe, and that his brilliant talent.
? place him in the foremost rank at the bar-a,
= these facts are known throughout the country
y Hardly as the accssed has been dealt b,
/ the Grahd Jury, yet now, because the Gran,
, Jury cannot, ON their oath. find charge o
! forgery, the court is called on to coerc,
them. This Is the mere echo OF tone which
. mas oeeh heard elsewhere, but from a source
e SO iou' and polluted that he would not deiil,
the temple OF justice, nor offend the chast,
ear OF Those who ADMINISTER there, by nam
ing 1t, unless, in his official capacity, he sheul,
De caiied on 10 arraigh that source in a con
s'"u'to"a' manner. and invoke upon it III,
$ punishment due to its unapproachabIe an,
!. indispensable iniamy."
Dull puH, DO you intend 10 pass over this i,
silence Redoubtable nose puilsr rs Va, ire
WI" you permit such portrait of you to b,
:, draw" N your very sight, with immunity
8 W Duh says. that when the next Congress
h commences lis session, the reasons for all III,