Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1835-08-27

FSss fas csnfs. .sSss. J Casesa~.
Public Erscufios.--On Thursday
morning last, between tho hours Of 10
and IA O'Clock, Vincent, mulatto fell
low belonging 10 the estate Of the late
Robert Bell, was hung in this place by
the citizens. Abundant evidence Of
his participation in the late insurrec-
tionary movements having been fur
nished the Committee OF Vigilance APP
pointed by the people Of Clinton. he
~ss sentenced 10 receive three hum
dred lashes, and to perpetual banish-
ment from the United States, alter the
expiration Of 30 days. On Wednes-
day evening, Vincent was carried out
TO receive his stripes, but the assembled
multitude were in favor Of hanging
him-regarding the sentence pronounc-
ed against him rs insufficient for the
punishment Of so enormous crime.
A vote was accordingly fairly taken,
and the hanging party bad it by an
overwhelming majority as politicians
say. He was renandcd 10 prison.
On the day Of execution, still larg-
er crowd was assembled, and fearing
that public sentiment might have
changed in regard TO his fate, after ev-
cry thing favorable TO the culprit was
alleged, which could be said, the
vote was again takcn-and his death
again demanded by the people. In
pursuance Of this sentiment. so une-
quivocally expressed, he was led to
black jack. and suspended from one
OF its branches. We approve entirely
Of its proceeding. The people have
acted properly. Any man, whether
he be white, yellow, or black, who
lends his countenance 10 a scheme,
having for its object the burning Of
villages and towns. and the indiscrimi-
nate butchery Of men, women, and
children. surely deserves an ignomini-
Gus death. He who robs a solitary
traveller on the highway, Of few
dollars, Is doomed to suffer death. How
much more then, is he deserving of
that punishment, who concocts and ma
lures q deep-laid conspiracy against the
lives Of an unofending community.
Vincent could have made important
disclosures at the gallows, but obsti-
nately refused doing so, alleging that
his own death being certain, il would
profit him nothing to bring others to
the same fate. and that he should not
inform on any one.
| Tie TSiai6y jury. and all the security
afforded by Judicial proceedings, have
disappeared in certain accusations Of q
criminal nature, in Mississippi and other
parts. This is horrible state Of things;
q state which nothing can warrant or
excuse, but alarming and instant dam
ger threatening the lives Of the citizens.
Even her innocence may share the
fate and suffer the punishment Of guilt
The case of Donovan, son to Mr.. T.
M. Donovan, q respectable citizen of
Maysville, Kentucky, is entitled to
deep and heartfelt consideration. He
fell an innocent victim 10 the phrenzied
state ofthe public mind in Mississippi.
In his most affecting letter TO his wife,
he declares he was falsely accused, and
solemnly protests his innocence, with
an appeal for the truth Of his assevera-
ton 10 his great Maker and Judge
So great was the excitement, rs his let
ter informs us, that he was not tried by
a regular Jury, but by q Committee oil
planters appointed for the purpose, who
had no time TO receive that exculpatory
evidence by which, both in law and
Justice, his acquittal must have been
ensured, and himself dismissed to the
comforts and joys Of his home, of his
beloved wife and friends.
Worse has come than the reign of
that mobbish crew composed of such
beings as Vat Tyler, Jack Cade, ct I'd
omne genus. The days Of THUS Oates,
that unprincipled impostor who threw
all England into ferment, were not
disgraced with any such excuses as
have marked the interval when the
lawful repositories Of judicial authority
are superseded and set aside with so
little ceremony, by those TO whom that
authority never can belong, until civil
society is dissolved and falls back into
its primitive chaos.-[ Bali. Gaz.
We learn from the Wing, that the
individual lately Lynehed at Farmville,
Prince Edward, has been discovered 10
be entirely innocent Of the charges for
which he suffered. This is another
evidence Of the necessity Of Restraining
popular vengeance against suspected
individuals, until full proof of guilt be
adduced. If the operations Of danger
Gus persons can be traced with sufficient
accuracy 10 authorize their arrest, sure
~ time can be tSken TO bring them 10 a
regular trial, and IL the proof be then
insufficient, committees Of vigilance
win be able TO trace their further opera
tons, and couBteract their Infamous
designs.
/ tits somewhat singular that the name
Of the sufferer in this case has been
withhold Richmond COzpslsr.
I'm Abodttonisf eakghi.--Tbe Nash
willie (Ten.) Republican Of the 10Th
inst. states that a young man named