Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1851-12-11
Corresp0ndence Of Tie Frginisn.
PUIIAnEIPuIA, Dec 9th
DEo. 5th, 1851.


} PnILAnELPuIA, Dec. 9Th.
The treason trials, now progressing in
this city, being ofinierest to Southeruers,
! volunteer my impressions.
Whether the act committed was that
Glowing Of war; necessary to constitute
tho crime Of treason, doubt. Although
the fact ofan armed resistance of a consti
tutional law, by an organized mob, and
naccordance with predetermined scheme,
is established beyond neradvcniura; yet.
that party of so or 100 blacks and or
6 whites, should "levy war" against ma
ton so powerful as ours seems an absurd
ity. With the proof adduced, il an hon
est ury could is gotten in Lancaster
County, where the offence was committed,
a conviction for murder would be easily
had; but inasmuch as the county is inhab-
tied by Quakers, opposedto the death pen
atty, aud abolitionists, and by hybrids,
uniting bath Of these isms--and as the
charge of treason, seems in this city to cx-
cite merrinent rather than deeper feeling,
have no doubt. that the rascals, who, in
defiance Of the laws Of God and man, aid
ed in stealing Southern properly, and then
shed tho blood Of tie wropged, wal so un=
whipped Of justice,
am more Of this opinion, from the con-
duct Of the judges presiding, and of Judge
Grier in particular. OF his decisions upon
the points Of law raised before him, it does
not become me to speak. | dare not place
my opinions upon legal question against
his, although many of his opinions appear
ed to me rcpugnant TO the dictates of com
mon sense and common honesty. But as
to bis bearing, am competent to speak.
and will speak. His bearing in the case
evidences predeterminato ofthc casc---a
predctcrm;natiou that The accused were
innosent, ar ifnoi, that fhe could procure
or force such verdict, they should be
found by the jury mot guilty." During
the whole trial he manifested an inclination
to "run before he was called" 10 the de-
fence of the accused, and by his bcggarly
attempts at wit and his uncalled for intsrpo-
sition in behalf Of the accused, and his
rutianly and ovcrbearing course towards
the prosecuting counsel, he has forfeited
every claim not only to the character of
an upright judge, but even to that of 6 gen
tleman. He is the impersopation, revers-
cd, ofthat celebrated jurist, Jefireys, and
if there was favor Of corrupt king and
court to Le gained, instead ofthe favor of
a party OF fanatical thieves, doubt no,
,hc tools used by Jeifreys, would fit his
hand Clumsily made, coarse featured,
loud-voiccd and rude, he seems as if in
tended by nature for a coal-whipper or
stevcdore. and he is certainly "in the
wrong pew" when on the Judges bench.
OfJudgc Kane, ii is Unnecessary to speak:
he seems for the first time in his life, viii
ling to play Saaoad fiddle, and Judge
Grier, ti;rusang himself forward, and
Judge Kane, at least behaving ina gentle
manly manner, the latter is not so obnox-
| ious to criticism.
| You will see that % witnesses prove
the Marshal, kline,to be a man utterly I'M
worthy of credencc, while 20 or so proved
him to be respectable and truthful man.
| This seems contradiction, but if you had
stood by and looked on the witnesses as
| they gave in their testimony, you would
have reconciied this. The witnesses prov
ing his character were men of respectable
;ty, who had been ihrown with h;m for
years; other Police officers, Lawyers and
Aldermen. The witnesses against him,
were Gudging from their appearance, and
from what was told one) generally men
who had dehnedinterest in destroying his
charac,er,as he could prove them, or men,
bers of their tarriiies, guilty ofhgh crimes
| and misdemeanors. In short, the witness
, es, who impugncd klne's character for
veracity were, with some exceptions. loaf
ers, piokpockeis, doggery keepers, &c.
&c. Of thai subtle element, in these ques-
tons so powerful, and yet so intangible,
public opinion, cannot speak certainly;
Sou,hcrner mysek. and thrown among
those whose affections are with the South,
or who have delicacy sufficient, al least,
TO restrain the expressions of anti-Southern
feeling. From the demonstrative expires
| sions of feelings, ] would say that the pub
lie here were content TO be and let be- But
from the smaller symptoms, only to be 4
perceived BY close watching and a, inter