The Democratic Whig. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1842-1843, 1843-07-20

In giving an account Of the manner in which
DR.. Hagan came to his DEATH we confned
ourselves to the simplest statement we could
obtain, collected from ire evidence, which was
given q the Coronsf' lhquest But we have
seen that the most strenuous Efforts have been
used by some of the editors of this State to
prejudice the public mind against the author
Of his death, and in justice to Mr.. Adams, and
from respect to the common usages OF all civil
lied communities In regard to such matters,
we publish his appeal to the public TO suspend
their opinion until his case has been fairly
brought before judicial tribune ofhis country.
TO THE PUBLIC.
uActuated by no other motive than a sense
of sacred duty to venerated parent, and for
the purpose solely of defending his reputation,
sought an interview with DR. Hagan. the
author Of gross calumny upon his character,
with the view of obtaining its retraction. or ex-
planation; the interview terminate in a person.
al recontre, which Unexpectedly resulted in the
death of that individual. For this act, / am
now arraigned, and am bound to account, and
at the proper time will fully account, to the
laws of my country. Ia the meantime. the
usage Of the christianized world, the principles
of Justice, and the feelings of humanity, requir-
ed that no attempt should be made to prejudice
or progresses the public mind or feeling against
me, or to njure my chance of justice when
brought to answer for that act before court
and jury OF the country. But regardless OF
the high and holy principles of justice, and of
tie feelings Of common charity and humanity,
many eff the newspapers, both in and out of the
State have published to the world statements,
as facts, relative to my conduct in the unplea-
SAINT affair between DIR. Hagan and myself, in
direct conflict with truth aud the testimony ia
ken upon the coroner's inqnest. These state
ments are calculated to fix upon me, in the
minds of the people of this community and OF
the world, not only high crime against the
laws of the land, but-with the comments in
some cases accompanying them the blacklist
stain of dishonor. These statements of pre-
tended facts, and all the remarks, imputations
and suspicious founded upon and accompanying
them, as wen as the sinister motives and in
f1uences to which my conduct on the occasion
has been attributed, are false, and mark tho ell
ovation of character Of their authors.
have been compelled to make this declara-
ton to the public in reply to the unprecedented,
unjust, unmerciful and inhun1an attempts that
have beer. made to destroy character which
is all possess in the world, and to prepare the
public mind and feelings to take from me a
life which shall always consider TO be Justly
forfeited to my calumniators or any human be-
ing, when shall assa their reputation as false
~ and murderously as mine has been assailed
by those to whom have alluded.
Propriety forbids my stating at this time. the
facts and circumstances which attended the
rencontre. between'Dr. Hagan and myself for
the purpose ofjrstifying myself with the world
or of prepossessing the public mind and feelings
in my favor much less would fabricate false
hoods TO take away the life and honor of my
felow-men. My only object in addressing the
public on the subject at this time, is to ask of
them the justice and the charity to discard
from their minds and feelings the foul false
hoods and lmputation that have sbeen made
against me, and to suspend their opinions and
judgments on my case, until shall be confron-
ted by my calumniators and accusers; and tried
by the laws and constituted tribunals of my
country.
I have to request as an act ofjustice, the
publication of this card in such newspapers as
have noticed this affair.
DANIEL w. ADAMS.
Jackson, 9Th July, 1913.