Madison Whig advocate. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1839-1841, 1839-04-06


Judge Wi1kerson and Mr.. Murdongh have
been ACQUITTED: So n1r,ch for the iaws Of Ken
trckyi II these gentlemen should ever try
their stlrgical slfR with the Bowie Knife in Ten
nsssee, thfv had better make 'sonn mir of heel,
worth two pair of pocket,."-.Na.hriie Hhig
The above paragraph we take from the Nash
willie Whig- II is with regret that we see the
editor Of that paper-which we hold one OF the
most valuable on our exchange list, for the
ability, candour, and bold free spirit with which
IL is conducted should have been led by error
cas-; reflection upon the purity ef the JUS
tiee of sister State, and upon the gentlemen
who were engaged in the unfortunate difficuitv
of the Gait House. We feel confident that if
the editor of the Wing had been cogDizant of
all the facts he never would have INDUCED in
the reflection above quoted. What are the
factsl Judge Wilke and Mr.. Nurdough
did not seek the difficulty. bu, the contrary
wished to avoid il, but when engaged IN it
they had no other course TO pursue than to de-
fend themselves az men, or be irampied upon
as brutes, Thew defended themselves "a men.
well men could, against the attack of an
Infatuated rabbe, who were thirsting after their
blood, who's desire for their lives was so great
that in the retreat of Judge wilkerson. his life
but who was saved but bv an accidental fall
Did Judge Wiikerson or his party seek the diff
iculty' They did not They were at the
place they ought to have been az. They were
sougl for BY Redding and his party Of rufians. |
and the fight brought BY these aqgressors. |
Il has been eaid that thew went with peaceabIe
intention, and officer of the law 70 arrest
Judge Wilkerson for the previous difficulty.
But do not facts, and every circumstance con-
tradict this assertion! If such was their in
tention and object, what business had Reddinc.
Meeks, and the Pilot, and the rest of their mob
theree Did they go - see the laws executed!
-" as their assistance needed to put re laws :,
force, and to arrest them! Certainly not
Every fact, and ne characters of the parties
concerned, shew that if an officer properly au-
'honzed, had appeared to them, that no resis-
lance would have been made.
Every tact connected with the transaction
show, that Redding and bis party were tie ag-
gressrs, and that they went there for the pur-
pose, and with intention of having a fight.
We do no, hold ourselves out rs the advocate
of crime in any shape form, but when we
see individuals, whom know have done no
wrong, committed no offence-unless the eyer
= crime-we cannot, will not, set ou,e,Iv nv
md hear them condemned, without one word
N their defence.
One word as 10 the laws Of Kentucky, The
criminal laws of Kentucky may not he rigid
" enforced as they should, but Tennessee
should never be held up example for
the Enforcement of such laws, TO any State,
unless she has wonderfully reformed of late.
and also expunges from her Reports of the SUI
preme Court few of the cases of trials for
homicice and murder, tina, stand there record
ed, living monuments of disgrace TO the crimi-
nal laws of the State, and most perncious
precedent for the juries of other States to be
Influenced, or governed bv.
We know i, TO be the fact, that manv crimi-
nails in this State have been acquitted By the
reading of authority from Tennesse courts.
where the editor of the Wing would insnuate
that pure Justice reigns, and certain punish
rsent awaits all offenders If Tennessee is
now. wha, she was in the DAYS when Yearger
reported, YOU of the Wing shonld have con-
sidered well before YOU this reflection
upon the justice of Kentucky Court or Jury.