Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1845-07-15
tupnrrANr QUESTION.

We ask The good people Of Campbell 10 cx-
anime the following cool and sensible views:
To Mc Editors II The Enquirer.
In yonr paper OF the 9th are published the pro-
cccdings OF a mecling in Campbell county, IN
which sllndry resolutions were adopted, express
ing strong ccnsurc of the Executive OF The Com
monwea h on account oil It's course in snsprnding
The execution OF sentence OF Campbell County
Court condcinning two J egroes 10 death.
There is no duty devolved on The Executive OF
more d.licacy and responsibility than that OF sn-
pervisins the proceedings Of The Courts OF Oyer
and Terminer on The trial OF slaves.
This function is drvored on il BY :he law,
and its natare aud extent are established By
long course Of practical Interpretation OF these
provisions.
II is lis duty 10 watch over The administration
Of this portion Of the criminal law. Il is Us duty
10 interfere either by pardon, reprieve, or respite
whenever the execution oil sentence would IN
nicl punishment disproportioned 10 The case
whenever, in its Judgment, there is no evidence
OF guilt or where the proof is unsatisfactory or
materially defective.
Removed by its position, from the influence OF
local excitemenl-wh full time tci calm and
dlspassonare examination OF The testimony e
Gnlred BIZ The law 10 be recorded for It's inspec-
lion-ll is al least tair 10 presume that lis JUG
lis action ought 10 be treated with respect, even
though il NAV MOL IN all instances, be in accord
ancc with the popular sentiment OF The county IN
which The Judgment Of condemnation has been
pronounced
II is not usual nor is il 10 be expected tina, The
Executive in cases Of interference 10 prevent The
extreme sentence the law being executed, or 10
postpone il. will enter into 4 discussion with po-
pnlar meetings as 10 The propriey Of lis course,
or make public advertisement OF The reasons oil
its action. Still less is il 10 be required that II
should incorporate into its order OF pardon, or re-
prieye. or respite, a statement OF the reasons
which induced Il III make the order.
ltseens 10 he taken for granted by the meeting
in Campbell, that as the Executive did not in
form The Tailor or Sheriff. on The face of The order
oiven in this case VIII were the reasons OF the
Executiye that ii acted without any satisfactory
reasons and its action is theIeupOn vehemen,ly
denounced as "uncaled Tor and unlnsiiilable." =
AS 10 this last OF course IL is matter OF opinion
but as 10 the conclusion, thai, as the Executive
has given no reasons, il therefore hAd no reasons
lis logical accuracy may ne respectfully cues
toned. Ii may be worthy OF being considered oy
the good people Of Campbell, whether me 90
vernon must take care TO convince JaIior or
Sheriff. 10 whom he sends IN order 10 discharge
convict or postpone execution, that ne has "sa-
t;sfaclory reasons LOT giving 'ne uIueI. ~ ING
good people of Campbell think, that before a
Cour. orders its Clerk 10 ener judgment, IL
should give the aforesaid Clerk satisfactory rea-
sons" tor its judgment-or, that The Commander
OF an army should not venture 10 order conpa-
ny or platoon TO perform any act OF duty wlihou,
furnishing the mea with satisfactory reasons"
tor the order7
liule more sober and cool reflection might
perhaps satisfy the good people Of Campbell coun-
", who took par, IN those proceedings, thai IS
lille Questionable whether The Executive should