Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-08-20
MOB LAW.

Our community has Just been made to witness the
most hgh-handed and humiliang act OF violence that
it has been duty to chronicle human be-
ing has been seized without authority and publicly exc
cued without law, by an nturlaed mob, and all this IN
land that boasts of its intelligence, its public spirit its
PATRIOTISM and that claims to be land OF Christianity.
We blush with shame at the thought.
At the May Term OF the Superior Court, negro man
was tried and condemned the charge oil having at
tempted to commit rape upon little white girl IN this
county. His trial fair one, his counsel was the
best bar afforded, hsJury one oil the most neigent
that sat upon the criminal side OF our court, and
after patient and honest hearing he was found guilty
and sentenced 10 be hung Tuesday the 18th inst
This, by the way, was the second conviction; Inc
negro had been tried and condemned before, but hls
counsel mad moved ana obtained new trial, which we
have seen resulted like the first, in conviction
Notwithstanding his conviction, it was believed by
some that the negro innocent. Those who believed
him innocent, in spirit OF mercy, undertook short
time since, to procure his pardon and petition to that
effect circulated among our citizens, and we believe,
very numerously signed. This, think, was great
error The negro had been fairly tried by competent
jury, whose integrity has not been questioned, and upon
the best showing his able counsel could make fol- him,
he condemned No developments have been
made, we understand, since the trial, has any
light been thrown upon the case which the Jury did no
POSSESS and under such circum think the in
reference OF the public even from the most prasewor-
thy motives, is Improper. With these views, we de-
cned signing the petition when it was presented to US
1t is dangerous for the people TO undertake TO NEEDLE
with the majesty OF the jury ra and strange as 1t may
sound to somo people, we regard the unfortunate cenoue
ment oil this case, as but the extreme amplifcatlon OF
the very principle which acuated those who originated
this petition Each proceeded from spirit OF dscon-
tent with The decisions OF the authorized trbunas the
difference ben G. that in the one case peaceful means
were used Tor the accomplishment OF msaken mercy,
and in the other violence was resorted for the attain
ment Of mistaken justice.
The petition was sent to Governor Towns, and on
Monday evening last the messenger returned with
full and free pardon to the criminal In the mean time
the people had begun to flock in from the coun ry to
witness the execution aud when it was announced that
pardon had been received, the excitement which I'M
mtdiately pervaded the streets was ndescrlbabe.-
Monday night passed without any important demon
srat.n.
Tuesday moinng the crowd in the streets increased,
and the excitement with it, large and excited null
ttude gathered early in the moroing at the market house
and alter numerous violent haTrangueS, a leader
chosen and resolutions passed to the effect that the MOB
should demand the prisoner al O'Clock in The afternoon
and il he should NOT be given up, he to be taken by
force and executed. After this action tie mob dispersed
and early in the afternoon, upon the ringing OF the
market bell, it reasaemb ed aud proceeded the jail.
The Sheriff OF the county OF course refused 10 surren
der the negro, when he oyerpowered, the prison
doors broken open and the unfortunate cuprt dragged
forth and hung.
These the facts briefly but believe, accurate
y stated. We do not eel now inclined TO comment
upon them, We leave them TO the public, praying, in
behalf OF our injured community, all the charity which
be extended TO act outragug objectionable
Columbus Gal Sentinel, l4h inst.