The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1854-12-20

ments. On each Nde OF the altar are Two phlare
IA inches square, for receiving statues This altar
10 to be placed In the sanctuary Of the church, on
az elevated PLATFORM to be reached by three steps.
The whole is OF fine white veined Italian marble.
1t IL beautiful work of art. and does great credit
to Messra Miller a. Vincent. Il nay be seen q
their manufactory, ON the North side of Main
street. oblquely opposite the Second Baptist church
TO THE PUBLIC
The undersigned, having been made the subject OF
with the recent outrage committed BY Matthew
Wightman on part OF his own family; deems 1t out
cen.sd comuniaV to place lis conduct and motives
fairly before the public, that he may stand SCOUT
ted of 20 much Of that reprosch a. may have been
BILE or misguided and be left to bear only that judy
ment which an impartial public, upon the facts
which concern him, may deliberately and justly
So far a. the conduct of Wightman 10 concerned,
It has found no mitigation or palliation with him
He would not ii he could appeal from the judgment
speedily pronounced and executed upon him by an
incensed community, who were influenced BY &C.
mad quate retribution OF the law The undersigned
may have failed to take vengeance in his own hands,
and to nct upon the ruthless assasn that violence
which others might have felt impelled to do, and
which public sentiment would justify and approve
He may have acted even with timidity which the
chivarous and rash may condemn but he denies that
this he 10 to be denounced being better than
the author of the outrage, to be ostracsed and
pat1iated by community. Buteven this offence has
been charged upon him In consequence of missp-
prehension of facts. At the time the outrage was
committed, the undersgned was at his store. and
his house and made the assault he to the store
and informed me that my family wife desired me
to come to her This he told me without betrsying
any excitement to arouse . suspicion of any wrong
done By him. then went home and found that he
had committed the outrage BY this time the alarm
seeking to have Wightnan punished Mrs. Robin
son, knowing that my store was exposed, requested
me las she will bear wtness) to leave her and 80 and
ppofan ar rfu INA wa vUaIl osfa da1
By physicians and friends and, at her earnest and
repeated requests left her and went down to my
:oms advising me to iiil him, and very great indis
nation manifested against Wightman. In the con.
fusion and panic and seeing tina. Wshtgsn was pu,
upon him and attempt to punish him myself
found Wishtman In the store and about to be taken
to law, had only time to ask him, why he did 50?
and he replied, he did not know Ard just here
there i .;o That passed BE-
% heard that "he had not beatcs them halt enough"
He did not pretend 70 justify what he bad done, or
know why he had done it. and left me confApndsd
and at loss to conjesture wbat could have Mduced
arrested and dealt with a. the public have been ad
vised. do not pa late the enornity Of Wishtman's
offence. thank the people of Dsnville for the 60:
nervous outpouiing of condemnation upon him, and
the protection guaranteed to female and family secu
rty. But do not feel willing that public sentiment
should condemn me, without being heard, and shew.
Inc a. the facts establish. that Innocent of any
offence and even If all that has been siledsed asainst
me was true, have violated no law OF God or man,
aud only be charged with ipeakness in not vio
latinR both, in obedience to the demands Of self
syengins human nature That have been wronged.
ment Of groundIess and uncharitable charges which
have been credited BY this community. For an OK
and bad zone 10 far :: to
pley counsel to defend him. Now all this is utterly
sroundless. My brother, Dr. Robinson. OF Lsakes-
man, who, with another. was engaged in Boating
A. soon he heard of Wishtmans conduct and stu
sss. for Il. s Ia
ty; and In this husiness have no connection or inte
rsst with Wightman. So soon as it was known that
my brother had visited Wightman 1t was rumored
that he bad gone at my instance, and employed coun
eel to defend Wishtman.
.osInly protect ny ,nnocsncs not only Of hay
aid, a6et defend him. Again. 1t has been stated in
the same spirit that was advising and aiding Wight
man, in undertaking to prosecute at law, those who
visited upon him summary punishment This charge
solemnly deny. and defy any human being to estab
for Wightmau when the crowd which took him wers
threatening hin, with violence; and for this am de-
noanesS IA Th s s are ahs Il
crowd and manifest excess OF feeling sPpTshended
bis bis life might be taken. and having had
time reflect myself did sdvisethat be should not
be killed. but left to the punish ment imposed by
Law. II in this / have offended, submit to the
now, fear net to rest my own charaeter (dentided
husband with that Of wife whose eharacter needs
nodsfence OF commentator, and a. father with mn.
offending and innocent chidren,) upon the calm and
dspassionste judgment of q just community. fear
not to appeal TO the most excited and prejudiced
mind to answer if have violated any law Of God
- mo better than the wretch who inflicted the
blows, and equally with him unworthy the counte.
nance and respect Of all civilized menu Ideeply
I community true 10 the defence and protection Of
woman, but least of eli do regret that In rash
ment did not become avepeer ofmy own wrongs
and thereby stain my hands With the blood of fell
low being. thank God that I not this day .
murderer, althsueh the more fearless and bold may
J - WILLIAM ROBINSON. in.
+ Danvills, Dee. lsth, 1851. Va IL