The Democratic Whig. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1842-1843, 1843-06-15
CITIZENS MEETING.

i SS~AO~St
Soon as the verdict of the jury in the case
ofthe State VS.. John l.. Lewis, was generally
known, the city bell was toHed, and immedi-
ately, almost, every citizen of the county, then
in the city, repaired to the Market House, nd
exhibited one of the largest meetings ever
held in this county. Our valuable and vener-
able fellow citizen, John Bethune, was called
to the chair. and Josiah Morris, requested to
act AZ Secretary. The object of the Meeting
Is1ns h 81 s S Ae ooh A and .a %So
his motion, a committee of eleven was appoin-
ted to prepare a suitable expression Of the
opinion Of the meeting then assembled, in ref
erence to the result of the trial of the said John
L. Lewis-tO report to said meeting on the
ensuing morning at 9 o'clock.
FRIDAY MORNING, 9 o'clock.
A numerous meeting of citizens were again
in attendance and the following report was
offered by the committee. through A. HI. Coo
per, Esq. who prefaced his reading with few
chaste and Judcious remarks.
We feel as good citizens that we are bound
at all times to submit to the majesty of the
laws, assured as we are that any violent inter-
ference on the part Of the people, would In the
main be productive of more evil than good.
But we cannot refrain on the present occa-
sion from expressing our unqualified disappro-
baton of the yer Dict Of the jury, in the case of
the state vs.. John L. Lewis. We are not
disposed to Judge a jury acting on oath harshly;
and had the testimony been of a character as
to admit of the slightest possible doubt of the |
guilt of the accused, our feelings would not |
have been outraged-the principles of justice |
30 Palpably trampled under foot, nor should we |
have condemned the jury for giving the pris-
oner the benefit of that doubt.
The evil of which we complain-the escape
II well known ielons--we think arises from
he present mode ofselecting jurors in criminal
'ascs. Under the present system, wealth,
'ower and friends, never fail TO secure one
rom the righteous penalties of offended laws,
While they fan with peculiar power ON the
riendless and needy. This is great evil Of
which we complain, and we deem this favor
ole time to call the attention Of the people to
: and to suggest the propriety OF petitioning
he Legislature toltake.the subject into consi-
Grafton. and if possible to adopt some system
etter calculated to mete out equal Justice to
ne powerful and the weak, the rich and the
COR. the influential and the friendless. We !
9gard such measure as indispensably neces-
ary to the protection Of life and the security :
property.
Therefore Resolved, That we recommend |;
the next legislature the pl Opriety of altering
70 present mode of selecting Jurors in GRIM
al trials. 90 that the honest and intelligent !
'ruon o. the community may MOI be rendered !;
competent TO serve in such cases, by q mere Q
precision Of opinion founded on vague rumor. il
Resolved That until such alteration be ef. 2
csed We VIII refrain Gas far a. possiblel from !;
pressing any opinion IN relation to the guilt i
Innocence ofpeEsons charged with crime, | q
en- when familiar with al fhs facts attending 9
preparation.
Rs'olosd. That the testimony taken in the i
e q the state 70. John l. Lewis, ought to "
published forthwith believing 40 we 40, that 3
~ demonstrate % the people the necessity
The action Wehers secommend. !.
Resolved. That we deprscate any violence q
the jury or the acquitted. but recommend | \
: every honest man give 10 them the notice 4;
consideration their conduct deserves.