Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1845-12-25
THE CONFESSIONS.

we regret to say that pamphlet was issued
on the day OF the executions, purportng to be
the confessions of the three negro criminals. in
regard IN the outrage for. which they have now
suffered the just penalty Of the law, that has ex.
cited very deep feeling of indignation in our
community, on account Of the great wrong and
injustice which 1t is calculated TO nflict upon
the hitherto spotless name of the poor girl who
has been lis victim. Whether the publication
was so intended, can only be known to its au-
lhor' or authors, whom the public are not per-
miited 10 know. Until it is so announced, how
ever, charity would lead us to hope for the best
yet that its effect is such, and that is essentially
vicious and offensive in its character and tenden-
cles, In the estimation of most persons who have
read it, is abundantly evinced by the general
excitement it has produced. 1t is in this pos
ture, therefore, that we now feel called upon
to speak of it. That it is utterly false in eve
y particular which casts the least suspicion upon
the virtue OF the girl, must be manifest to eve
ry just mind from the following facts and cir
cumsiances.-1st., 1t is opposed to her own clear
and consistent testimony, delivered ,hrouobont
the numerous trials, as we'll as to the purity
and integrity of her whole life, as avouched by
those who have known her from her earliest
infancy. 2nd., L. is opposed to the confessions
OF all the criminals themselves, Including even
the villain Johnston, as taken down by the Rev.
MI. CAsTLEMAN, "a gentleman whom the COM
munity knows,) at different times. separatelv
and apart, and then again unitedly. These con-
LESSONS we have heard read they were taken
Tod al
stances, and carry, in their consistency and a.
greement, such evidences of their trutb as No
mind can resist. In these confessions no,
the slightest imPutaton is thrown upon the poor
girl's conduct, by fact or word, in all the trans
actions OF that terrible night. On the contrary.
they completely vindcate her purity and limo.
cence, and put her substantially in the posture.
throughout the whole affair, which she had
been made to occupy by her own testimony.
But enough OF this what need is there Of
more Who was Jim, and what ouobt his
word to weigh, uttered and endorsed bv we care
not whom, against the consistent testimony of
the injured girl herself Ia girl, humble and
obscure though she be, to whose hitherto pure
and unsullied life, the aged and the youpo. the
high and The low, the rich and the poor.-aII. all.
without exception, who have ever known her
bear such prompt and af'ectionate testimony
Are, then, the miserable and inconsistent state
menls Of righteously condemned and executed
negro scoundrel, in community like Ours. to
be allowed 10 wilher and blast character like
this We do Motive cannot believe it.-Apd
whatever may have been the motive with which
this vile pamphlet was gotten up-whether from
a mere prurient desire for authorship, or the
more dangerous one Of making a hero out of a
viIlain-or any thing else-we venture to pre-
dict that its authors and getters.up will have
reason to be sorry for it, before they are done
with il.