Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1846-11-26
The Richmond Tragedy.

Inc hicumOn0 1f1seOys
Our readers have that the parties who slew Hoy
Richmond have bern discharged. They have not beer
acquitted by ury-it not permitted 10 reach jer,
hut discharged by the court.
The inquiry before that have BEEN in such
casefrsi, did the act alleged constitute crime, and Sc
condIy was there probable cause for believing the prisoner
connected with it, As TO the probable is the rankes
ahsurdy speak of it: denies pIeends to deny
that the parties accused the who killed Hoyt.
WHY then is he discharged II must be upon the
ground that such killing is not in Virginia, a crimna
offence. Let il be remembered that thIs decision does
come from the jury box With ali respect for the in
estimabe institution Of trial by jury know that it is
often misled hsmed into error but its errors form no
precedent, aud while lament, forgive them. This
is sclion of grave judges upon The legal question
a question before raised within court-wheiher
killing be murder They have decided that the deliberate
murder of guilty Of offence against another. Is
wholly venia is not assault and battery or
UNSUITABLE homicide, but act f which justice has
fown But this court has gone further The counsel
for the defendant treated the act erifori0Hs that
court has by its action, sustained the position They
permitted the be tried amid mob who, by Kisses
and cheers the miserable representatives. of the
constitution and the law who affected try the case the
way they were going.
What spectacle Is here presened-and that. too, IN
the refined capital Of Of the Oldest aes Violated
laws oahs broken through like wisps Of straw judges
the tame instruments Of a mob; justice aud law openly
trampled upon aud the throne Of red and tai murder
raised in the very temple Of justice before which judges
and magistrates and mob how down aud worship,
anil rise up and shout Alas for the Old Dominion!
We are iudsposed as much any interfere with the
,irs Of neighhor Staes but this is wrong 20
and the nation. The distinct Jurisprudence of the
specve States gives and receives influence to and from ALL
the Of constellation mineie their influence of
attraction light. The case of Myers may be cited in
our courts Aud what does il teach lesson at war
with all law human divine. with all justice, with cvili-
ziton and with the very existence of society Sill let
remind the reader that il is the action OF the judges not
of the jury they say 1t is true you have slain this
is that the proof against is positive it is true
that such killing is by the law which sworn to en-
force murder But YOU had prOvocatIon which raises the
beyond the action Of the law. Circumstances de-
msnded that you should dye your hands in bood and cir
cumstances now demand that should commit perjury.
Honor scquits you and you must acqut u.s. The const-
tuition and law have nothing do with the case Such
in effect the decision Of the honorable judges of this
court. A captain Of bandi, Redeemed with his latest
murder, would have decided quarrel in his band upon
principles less glarngIy absurd and guilty.
But since guilt has become honor in Virginia, let US
enquire how. according to its groesque provisions,
these men could be discharged from the penalty OF their
act True honor If could prompt murder IN any case,
would accompany il with the courage of justice Its Ian
gusge would be- have rghted myself but wronged the
law his life is forfeit me-mine is forfeit to my coun-
try counted the cost aud am willing TO meet in There
honor in cowardce-in the spirit that dared to Kill
and die. But in this where was the honor
Myers offered 10 sell his honor to Hoy for prce-a COM
DrDmise-a paper-nO matter what. lie look MS hOnOr
to market-ofered barter it upon the shambes from
that ceased he honor. The price refused
and then Myers ceasng possess honorable claim
to ordinary satisfaction became in heart murderer. Aud
how did he effect his purpose boldly, openly with equal
chances and in the light Of day Not three men set
upon one-and he unarmed and helpless. Whatever the
crime of the victim, aud cherish iveer de-
tesaion for it than ourselves this base and cowardy
MURDER and affair of honor. If this be Virginia honor
it has strangely degeneraed
Yet upon pretexis like these do judges deliberately
VIC ate the cearest law sanc murder and applaud
sination We cannot suppose that the vast wealth of
Myers shields him from justice for confident that
there is no judiciary in the world free from pecunay
corruption than but it is plain that false pub
lie sentiment sentiment cowardly aud cruel well
turbulent and lawdefyng inf med alarmed the judges
into the foul and unhoy wrong Of which they have been
guilty.
We trust that the press. by holding up this extraordi-
nary instance Of judicial derecon to the apprehension Of
the country will endeavor couneract the terrible nfu-
of such precedent upon the morals peace aud secu-
rty Of the community.