The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1854-05-17
The Ward Acquittal.

The re suit of the Ward trial, as our read
ers have already been informed by the tele-
graph, has caused an intense degree of ex-
citement in Louisville, in the midst of which
the people of that city have committed some
excessrs which may be palliated but cannot
he justified, by the outrageous character OF
the verdict which set free an unquestioncd
murderer. The LuiSyille papers of Monday
give extended accounts of the indignation
meeting held on Sturday evening, and the
proceedings, Of the mob. The Courier says;
The calls published for meeting OF the
people of this city Mt the Court tiouse on
Saturday night at early gas Lighting were re.
snonded TO in sentiment 10y nearly every heart
in Louisville, and IN person oy many nous
ands of the most honorable, substantial, intlu-
entoil and useful of our citizens. The feeling
created by the verdict of the Hardin country
Jury, was so deep and general, that but little
business was transacted throughout the day
In their counting rooms; their offices, their
workshops, and on the street corners; men
were gathered in knots, rcciting the testlmO-
nv adduced on the trial of Ward, weighing
il in connection with the verdict OF the jury,
and execrating the men who with that teStl-
mony before them, and acting under the
sanctity of an oath, could render such a YER
dict"
During the day rumors were circulated
that Mr.. Robt. ]. Wards house would be
attacked and destroyed This called forth
n card from Noble Butler, the brothcr OF Inc
murdered man, in which he invoked an Oh
servance of law, and deprecated any VIC,
;lence toward the parties who had rendered
shemselves obnoxious to the people. AT
night the meeting assembled, and was the
largest ever held il the city. The oldest
o.tnup,nA ritiypu nlrtDlnlteu In
its proceedings. A series OF resolutions,
prepared by a committee, were UNANIMOUSLY
passed They temperatcly but hrmly con-
denim the verdict rs opposed to all the ihcts
in the case; expressing their admiration OF
the character of Professor Butler, ana pro-
posing to evidence their appreciation OF Inn
by the erection of n monument to his memo
nv. After the committee left the meeting,
resolutions were moved and carried, rcqucs-
ting the two Wards to leave the city. inyi-
ting Nat. Wolfe to resign his seat in the
State Senate, and following them, requesting
John J. Crittenden to resign his place IN the
Senate of the United States to when he
was elected by the Legislature ot Kentucky
last winter, and denouncing Geo. D Iren-
tice, the editor of the Louisville Journal.
The eifigies of the jurymen, the Wards ana
their counsel ere then burnt amad hoot-
ings the Courier says.
Just at this time fire bells rang, and a re-
port came that the dwelling-house oil Root'
J. Ward had been stoned and hired. we
forthwith repaired TO the spot were We lound
an engine Playing upon the front door. when
had been S. on fire by the burning etiigy OF
Matt. Ward having been thrown against 1t.
The damage done by the flames was not
very great, and they were soon eXtingulshed'
Much more serious damage had been done
before by rocks, which had broken in seve-
raj window shutters, and demolished most
of the window-glass of the lower story.
The conservatory had also been stoned oy
boys, and good deal of damage done. We
made diligent inquiry, and satisfied ourselves
that the men ut work i'll this part OF the city
had no connection, either in person or spirit
with tho large, respectable, and orderly as
semblage at the court house.
The crowd in front aud at the side of the
residence of the Wards. began to assemble
about half past 8 o'clock in the evening,
and soon commenscd their work, with cool
ness, system, and determination. The mr.
ing of the front door, we think and certainly
most earnestly hope, was altogether arcl,
dental--but hardly the less to be condemned
on that account
"All that mob violence did or contcmpla-
ted, at the residence of Mr. Ward, we ut
tereIy and most unhcitating!y condemn.
All that the majesty OF the people expressed
in the unequallcd size and uueXamplcd re-
spectability of their asscmblage at the Court
Housc,we approve ard if nessary,will defend.
The best men of Louisville were in that
meeting, and the best spirit of christian civ
ilzation pcrvadcd Mat they did
The Louisville Jornal condemns the whole
manifestation as one Of disorder and violence,
and that the parties engaged in it contempla-
ted murder if they could have found the
obnoxious person they sought.