Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1852-05-11
RICHMOND ENQUIRER.
MONDAY MORNING, MAY 10, 1852.
THE OUTRAGE OF FRIDAY NIGHT.

! MONDAY MORNING, MAY 10, 1852.
THE OUTRAGE OF FRIDAY NIGHT.
The Indignation meeting" of the citizens of Richmond
which was held Friday night was very large one il
participants and spectators be couned but cannot be
considered as representing the sentiments of this
nity The meeting was presided by Mr. William Gray
assisted by Mr.. }. w. Lcwellen Secretary. We only
speak the truth when say that it was MOB and not
deliberaive assembly. The like of such meepg 10 point
of material before assembled within our corpo
limits The moving and controlling spirits of the as
semby for purpose and purpose only name
y make and uproar closing their ears TO truth anc
facts.
Our laws confer the power of remng the death penalty
upon the Executive impose upon that graVest OF
all responsibilities, the responsibility of deciding between
the life and death Of fellow in the last resort
is responsibility which dare execute except upon
the dictates of his conscience 1t is responsibility which
reaches into the deepest of conscience which takes
hold of the SOUL and which officer in cool dcbeation
moral possibility from any other impulse than
the gavest and most solemn of duty The mob meet
ing convened in the City Hall Friday night assumed the
prerogave of intervening between the conscience OF tho
chief magistrate OF Virginia. and their imPassioned
notions of va his should be- assumed TO dictate their
arbitrary and irresponsible conclusion the rule of his
conduc: upon which he could only decide upon his
oSS"
nhuman brr:c and virtual murderer he had allowed his
action TO be swayed by any other monitor.
The meeting assembled impeach this right of con-
sciences and do without hearing Of the reasons which
had induced the pardon which they had determined absolute
y to reprobate They voted down the following obvious
y just and fair proposition offered BY Mr.. VIM. F. Watson
with view prevent the dsreputabe action he saw the
noisy portion of the meeting were bent upon taking; but
especially, If the resolution voted down, as he
it probably would be- show the world the reckless
Of and fact which acuaod the dominant par
ties in the proceeding.
Alter few earnest remarks appealing the justice and
fairness Of his audience Mr. W. offered the following
luton:
Resolved That the chair appoint committee OF -,
whose duty shall be 10 wait upon the Governor and ascer
ain from him whose solicitation and upon what represen.
aons the repeve pardon of the slave Jordan Hatcher
granted; and if not incompatible with the public inter
ssis obtain from the Governors copy OF the petition
any, which presented 10 him for the said pardon and
the of the sgnes thereto as well as any other pa
pers memorials if any, laid before him. in behalf
of said slave Jordan Hatcher and 10 report to an adjourned
meeting be held the ay of the preser month at this
place.
This resolution voted down in order 10 adopt the fol-
lowing offered by Mr. Geo. i. Pcake
Resolved That Governor JoHSsoH in committing the
sentence OF the slave Jordan Hulcer convicted of the
murder Of William P Jackson has abused the trust
ded him by the Constitution has outraged the feelings OF
ordination crme which calls for the indignant reproba
ton of the people of Virginia
Thus not only the right OF conscience violated but
violated by total disregard and reckessness of The ccum-
stances under which the gravest of official responsibility
exercised.
We should be glad if could end the story here but
the proceedings Of this meeting did not end the same
dominant spirits which had controlled its action in the City
Hall filed that building invade The private grounds
Mans snd nIr ihrntS
the city Of their residence by the gross breach OF hos
oitaity the most shameful abuse Of personal sancy and
the rudes intrusion upon domestic quiet tina. ever degraded
this commonwealth. We prefer for the honor OF Rchnn@a
omit the in The Governors yard In insulting
the Chief Magistrate this excited and dsodey concours
brought insult upon the whole and disgrace the
CITY, If this be encouraged there no protec
lion for the property and life of t,c citizens.
We know not and not wao responsible Tor hls
outrage: the itself is its seveest reprobaon IN
Virginia community; and have eard but one se"iten
of deep modification and regret for the from
every respecabe citizen with whom sa"@ met. The
Outrage was as Unprecedented and unexpected as II was
shameful II was and could have been anticipated by no
one; and the whole respectable portion of our community
wash their hands of the affair.
We had written thus far before were aware that the
two Houses of the General Assembly had been engaged In
taking action on this solemn and painful subject viz the r.
oous proceedings in front Of the Governors House. we un-
derstand that speeches made the OCCASION were most
able and interesting We reached the Capitol near the ter
mDson of the proceeding, in the Houses and the
sented was one Of deep soemny and thrilling concern oil
The outrage committed against the whole State There was
but one voice of condemnation OF the flgant outrage
thouph there was some difference Of opinion 10 the degree
In which the city Of Richmond should be held responsible for
the occurrence.
We found on arriving that the Senate had passed
Joint resolution appointing committee TO enquire
and report all the facts and had adjourned The Hpuse
refused to lay the resolutions before them on the ta-
be so as TO take up the Senate resolu,on-and they,
BY very large majority, adopted joint resolution,
appointing committee 10 enquire into the expediency OF
removing the Of governmeni-many members aVo"ne
their purpose 10 be TO vote the strongest resolutions to
show their deepest condemnation Of the Outrage on the 60
vernon and through him The State. The House after
wards adop,cd the Senate resolution with additional one
moved by Mr. Jackson Of Doddridge and Tyler. We ASK
attention TO interesting details in the proceedings Of
both Houses In another column.
The Senate has yet TO act upon the resolution OF 'ne
House. What may be its action, cannot now decide
Tha, the two Houses will jointly take The necessary and
proper steps to fully yndcae the honor and good name OF
the Commonwealth entertain the most confident belief
When however they shu become satisfied by the universal
voice of the community, exptessed through Inc meet
ing tonight and in other ways that lhc cy VI i@i'n
mond repudates and reproba,es the outrageous insult
upon the Chief Magistrate on Friday night, they Will
doubtless be induced abstain from the extreme mea-
sure ske,ched out in the original resolution adopted
By the House. That Richmond will tonight fully wipe
| out the foul stain upon her good name, and VIII
take position that will still enitle her TO the protection OF
public authorities and property of the State the uniVer-
sentiment around gives encouraging and un-
| doubted proof
|
TIE "INDIGNATION NETTING"
We publish below the account of this gathering, which
appears Saturdays Republican, whose acted as