New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1854-06-23

to all parties, that the case should be viewed il
more rational and dispassionate manner.
We have said that the acquittal of Matthew I
Ward was due to Kentucky law. We mean By
this, that, in the eye of that law. he was deem
ed justifable in killing Professor Butler
We do not assert or pretend to assert that
Kentucky law is the law of England, or of any
3ther State or community nor do we say that
II is good law. The extent Of our aver
nent is, that according to the public opinion
which prevails in Kentucky, agreeably to f
ang and unbroken series of yerdicts and de-
isions Of the courts and juries of the State, the
verdict in the case of Ward, was according to
kentucky law, and that the accused would have
aeen excused and justified under the circum-
tances in acting as he did If there is divine
authority to the effect that the g heather are a
law unto themselves it certainly will not BE-
regarded a startling and unusual proposition tc
naintain that Kentuckians will be a law unto
themselves, and that the prevailing idea, feeling
n opinion Of the people will control the action
If its individuals and the administration of its
laws. Thus, no case can be produced in the
annals Of criminal trials in that State, in which
my man has been convicted for killing another,
vho struck or who even threatened him with
bodily harm Wards case, instead Of being q
novel or unusual one, is in accordance with uni
orm decisions Raised in the State, indoctri-
rated with its spirit and opinion, q young man
If reputation for courtesy, mildness and gentle
ress, such rs few men could ever prove, was in
,tigated to deed which has cast gloom over
lis whole life, produced q profound and wide
pread sorrow and distress, and given cause for
n Infatuated display of popular passion and
wrath. Whothen is more criminal in this mat
err, the accused or that public opinion Of Ken
ucky' The accused who committed deed
evolting to his feelings, SO discordant with his
shole previous life so crushing and desolating
o the brightest hopes that ever dawned upon
gouth or that sentiment and spirit which in
kentucky directs the hand of sneering contempt
md reproach at the man who has left unayenged
" even the bloodiest penalties the disgrace of =
low. which ever afterwards attach thereto, the
tigma of deficient manhood or Chivalry.
Such was the law under which Matt T
Ward was acquitted.
What are the facts Of his case These facts
-
rave never peen lully presented TO the puoi'c.
me stFingency q me common law system q
rial Wh'ch OFTEN e&elnaes the mos5 material
1art of the evidence in case, differing 81
Siaely' lfom the french system, Whloh ehcl5a
very laet' now remote seeFef bearing upon ths
sase, prevented the presentation on the trial o.
everal important truths of the defence. They
lre' however, su1ielently lnalcatea 70 JnstllJ
'uf supplying the det@hs.
PROFESSOR butter llFea on terms OF oofoll
rlenoshlP ano lnElmAey Win Mr. hooert x
"aro anu MS i8haly having esta9hsheo
'lgh SCHOOL lof Doys' Af' Nafds younger sou
'efe seht V nam " pupllS. oheoA ing ssslstall'
sacners Oh me Sohooi was an Ehg'snlnan Q
le name ol oeurg"S' VINO was suspected oy 'i,'
'urus to entertain no goou leelhSs to"sf"'
aeth' as coulu hafuly DO e1peeteu' Wheh ~ Y
'otile ia Hllilu now severely Ma'E, ware hS'
cav WIN Nnsiish 'iiaF8oeer IN ms i'elis'
'ne Wy o'ie q tas younger ""Fas came hoIn'
complaining Oh oeing oaaiy treateq' OF Whl's
''ooiS were P.esen'ep ~ d. lSe' anu o'Hei
A'rAS-pe w. psp'eL y ~ 'o'u.sos, ~ ~
vi" oe'"een 81 =, l'u,lsi az" ~ "iu' -
oiio"eo' u winch mr. " 8t0 NIUE u con"t'ion
WITH - t's1tiet aSsen'e0' 'ilaS ~ sotS' !
~ oAo1 y " eo''oO.' HSte noS y " nogge'
si' 'i'sl 'iS Wv u, N'p 'i'' Nns iiS,''
-, si,o"e y - ~ ~ rslues'eu nef =
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"t's'S " l,'l' IN ms
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