Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1835-04-30
M ETY..
ACQUITTAL OF MATTHIAS.
Nrw IoRE, Aran 90.

The monster Matthias, for such he
deserves to be called. whether sane or
insane. has, after the most cxtraordina-
~ development Of unfeeling brutality
towards Pierson, the victim of his
ianatIcism, been acquitted of murder,
by poison. for want of sufficient evil
dence. But who, after reading the
facts proved, can rise from the trial
without a thorough conviction that
has death was at least accelerated by
the most savage neglect on the part
OF Matthias. who left him 10 starve
and TO perish almost alone in his cham
Der, without the slightest attendance or
nursing which can be called such, and
without food or even water TO drink :
When Matthias did consent 10 give
him water-for nothing was ever done
either on the farm or in the house.
not even a mouthful OF victuals taken
by any of the fraternity in the family
without his PERM, sion-he poured IL,
as he would upon dog, into the gasp
ing mouth Of the dying man, then
struggling on the floor, almost naked
and in the last agonies Of his disease /!
This, and the faulty, the voluntary
debasement Of the peBonagcs If the
family, chiefly females, subjecting
themselves by system Of abiect me-
NAL obedience to the will OF this i'm
postor. will forever form a theme for
reflection. as astounding and incom-
prehensible as il is degrading and re-
voting 60 human nature. That a fam
lily Of nine respectable persons, one il
Is true black woman, and several of
them children, in the possession of
the comforts and clegancies Of life.
with their co Jntry seat. goodman,
carriage, sc. should have been found
to exist in this free and enlightened
community, secluding themselves from
the rest OF the world, for the purpose
OF devoting themselves, and services.
and property. 20 an ignorant and fero-
cious impostor, who had insinuated
himself so far into their confidence n
to palm himself upon them, in the
language Of Mrs. Folger. a. " God tho
Father. possessing the Holy Ghost. >
aud the type Of the last trumpet If
the angels in the Revelations, that they
should have abandoned Themselves 10
the most unlimited credulity in the
truth Of these profane declarations,
and believed him 90 be what he pro-
fessed, will forever be black and
damning spot on the alleged refine
meni and civilization Of the age.
To what end will not fana,icism.
and the criminal intentions Of those
vho fOment this spirit, as well as of
those who. for equally unworthy mo-
tives. surrender themselves 90 II. ulti-
mately bring our happy country Will
IT not be the rock on which all our
highest hopes and natering anhcipa-
lions of future glory and prosperity
will be shipwreoked' j. there not
some mode that may be derived which
may reach the denominations prsetised
on the community by religious inpo.-
tsrs Gould not this end be eGecle 4
without IN any manner violating th.
freedom Of religious toleration With.
out some such remedy. the fires Of IA
naticism, that are lighted UP from one
end Of our county TO the other, will
not only corrupt, but ultimately con
sumo the very frame and substance Of
oil that Is pure aud holy IN the con
struetion Of the social compact.
ErsaiaR Star.