The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-05-19


or vsitsS Z very sensible and conservative
artiols saggastsd By the recent 80 called lndig-
nssios' Maetiny|held at Richmond ON tho 7th inst.
10 front Of the Governors Mansion, 70 pass
resolutions condemnatory Of the course of the
executive Of Virginia in committing the sentsnee
Of the slave Jordan Hatcher convicted Of the
murder Ct VIM. P. Jackson. ave have always
felt" says the lntellgmcer, "a most decided
aversion to all sorts Of popular outbreaks, by
which the peace of society and the stablity
of settled principles were disturbed aud endan-
gered.
at sometimes happens. however, that irregu-
lar and excited demonstrations on the part OF
the people against nets of the established au-
thorities, peculiarly improper and obnoxious,
are spscsptible of pallation by the circumstances
Of the csse--though even in this view OF the
matter, We are FAR from signfying any approba-
ton of the spirit OF suchpopular manifestations.
We live in an age Of the highest civilization
which the world has ever known, and in the en-
ioyment of all the blessings which free lnstitu-
tions Can confer. We live under y government
of laws, aud tie statute book constitutes the
shield of our safety and happiness
.There is one great principle which lays at
the bottom of the social fabric, and upon which
rests all its utility and prosperity. 1t is the
foundation of our liberties and rights, and It's
maintenance and preservation IRE indispensable.
We mean the absolute supremacy o. Inc laos.
No man who has proper conception ana aP'
probation Of his position as member OF society,
and of his diversified interests, al vitality and
inseparably incorporated in the social organiza-
ton. can for moment deny the truth OF the
maxim We have Just laid down, and the necessl-
ty of its observance Everything. therefore,
which tends to weaken, to jeoPardize or to
destroy this universal safeguard, should be in
dignantIy rebuked und resisted. The frequency
of n.obs in this country is one OF the most
alarming signs Of the tmes--and IS subject
of most painful contemplation to every friend
of law and lover of order. Hitherto these dis
graceful exhibitions have been pretty much
confined to the free States, where the density OF
an extremely mixed population, and the preva-
leuce Of socalistic and agrarian doctrines in
large masses of the community furnish, IN abun-
dance. the elements Of disturbance and riot.
"In Virginia, we have been comparatively free
from public tumul!s, and we have often, IN see
ing the accounts of the turbulent acts OF the
rabbie in Northern cities and neighborhoods,
congratulated our good old commonwealth upon
the favorable contrast, in this respect presented
in her limits. But the Richmond affair has
lowered, it it has not cancelled, our proud pre-
tensions to conservatism, and it is with feelings
of shame and Indignation that we notice such
an unexpected and disgraceful disIiay OF the
mob spirit so near us. Even 1t the complaint
AGAINST the governor had been ever SO well
founded, such conduct was wholly indefensible.
He exercised power which was vested in him
by the laws of the land, under an appeal which
was urged by large number Of the most re-
spectable and influential citizens of Richmond
men who it ia impossible to suppose were actu
ated on the occasion by any unworthy or i'm
proper motives. The governors clemency was
invoked under circumstances which these gen.
tlemen fully stated to him, and which they hon
estly believed entitled the case to his favorable
consideration He thought so too, and under
the express sanction of the code of the common
wealth, he COMMITTED the punishment of the
criminal, as he was petitioned to do. In all this,
we see nothing to excite the passions of the
populace to expose him 10 the indig
mites to which he was subjected. The whole
State we consider dshonored by those r-bble
excuses, representing, as the governor does in
his Office, the dignity Of the commonwealth.
"We hope that every step will be taken to
vindicate the majesty and supremacy of the
laws which have been 30 scandalously violated
by that sc. caled indignation meeting il Rich
niond, and that every effort will be made to pre-
vent any similar occurrence. We are known
to be politically opposed to the governor, but
this shall not prevent us f:om rebnkng, in the
most unqualified terms, the understandable and
objectionable outrage with which ne has been
visited. We will never hesitate to sustain any
officer, whatever may be his political opinions,
against the assaults and insults of n mol, for the
exercise by him of power with which he is
clothed by an existing law. In 80 doing, we are
not only showing respect for the laws, but
regard for the dearest rights and interests of
eyery man, woman and child in the common
wealth."