Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1845-04-25

prevalent some months ago, and it is raret
occurrence to hear persons of any party advo-
cate his continued Imprisonment, or to raise
serious objection against his restoration to all |
his civil privileges and rights. The candid
portion Of those who have approved of his tri-
al, conviction, sentence, and Imprisonment
thus tar; are at length satisfied that the law
has been yindicated and justice appeased; ina
ny OF those who once willed his Imprisonment
Tor lie have relcnted; and when to these are
added the still more numerous class who new
er thought he deserved that punishment. it
Will be seen that great majority of onf cisi-
zens are in favor of his immediate enlarge
ment and restoration.
The recent election OF governor turned on
that point, and on that point alone. The only
issue Joined by the friends Of Jackson and The
friends OF Fe3ner, was the liberation and full
restoration OF citizenship of Thomas w. Dorr;
and the election Of Charles Jackson is conclu-
sive evidence that majority Of the indepen-
Gent electors are in farrr Of that measure. We
say lndepedent, because il ia we'll known that
hunnIedS OF those Who voted fDt James Fen
ner, Old II under cnnStraint and compU lslon. a.
ganst their better feelings and their Judgment.
ii all the electors could have gone up TO the
polls, unnfluenccd by fear, and unbribcd by
gold, there wonid have been an overwhelming
majority for the " hole liberation ticket Ii is
s"fhclent, however. that a majority Of the cleo
tors have pronounced q verdict against the
''embodiment' Of the =. law-and- orer' party
lanes Fenner; and that verdict. that dis.
tIrct voice Of the people. mus. have the desl~
rcd influence over the Legislature, and will re-
ease the victim Of long continued oppression
and injustice.
That Dorr has been the victim Of Oppression
and injustice, cannot be denied by his enc
| mics. He was convicted for acts performed
under sense of duty and enjolned on him by
his official oath. He was sincere and honest,
even II he erred, in all which he did, and This
We believe will be admitted by the members
of the court before which he was tried. He
committed no crime of NOR tuIpitude, but
acts that were declared criminal by legisla-
! tive enactment. They constituted political
| etie; &c merely, aud should only have subiec-
| ted him TO fine and short term Of imprison-
| ment in the county Jail. Had such punismen mt
| been awarded, both he and his friends would
/ have submitted without complaint; and when
| the term should have expired and the fine been
| paid, he would have come out, as he stood be.
fore trial with all the privileges ofc,izenship.
!, But he has been treated like one who has
committed an infamous crime, as a thief, a
burglar. murderer; he has been sentenced 10
the State prison, to do haId labor, to be in so!i-
tary confinement; dressed in the molly garb Of
frlon, and subjected to coa,se prison fare,
While Frustrated with physical ini1mites.
| We ask the most obdurate, the most calIous,
the most unforglvng man Of claw nd -order,' ~
II such punishment be not more than commen-
surate with the offence which Dor! committed?
! 1t 1t be not oppression, injustice, vengeance?
And how were all these aggravated by the
late act of the Legislature, which permitted his
conditional liberation, without restoring his
civil rights; which was intended to send him
forth with felon's brand OH his forehead-a
mark for the moving finger Of scorn from his
exulting foes!
But we perceive the dawn Of better day.
A new era has commenced, and the sympa-
thies of the whole people are aroused at the
knowledge of the protracted Sufferngs of the
champion otequal rights and extended suffrage
The late election has given tone to public
sentiment; and with feelings JOY we offer
hear the former advocates Of Imprisonment fol
life, speak of DORIS situation without thei
accustomed acerbity of language, expressing
a warm wish for its mSlioration, and conf
dent hope that the legislature, urged by the
pleadings of humanity, and a desire to restore
peace to the community, and preserve tie non
or OF the State. will promptly pass an act fo
his liberation, reinvesting him with all the
privileges Of citizenship. of which ne has beer
deprived. Such an act uncogged with condi
lions, and passed without incorporate dis
cnsson, will be honorable to that body, ane
will, in great measure. atone the wrong:
which have been done, and which are now re-
GREETED by many who once consented to thei
infection.