The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1854-05-24
Ehc Ward Trial.

We chccriuily give place below to the
very just and reasonable request OF MAT.
+. WARD TO the editors OF the U. States,
who have with a rancor az unprecedented
as yndictiye hui ted down and with no eyi.
dence before them, but the extrayagances
of a Iaob. boldly denopnced as a murderer;
one who has been tried and acquitted Of
the charge by the laws of hs country and
the verdict Of twelve Of his equals. Is not
,h's disregard OF honorable institutions,
fostering uI that spirit of nsubordination,
from which this country has 30 much to
iears. The Press generally have been too
has,y in this case and owe tho Justice
asked.
10 The Editors Of The U. States:
GENTLE EMEN Ii felt less confidence
i'll the Justice and nagnanilnity Of the
myself upon your notice. My position is
one which may well be considered pecu-
liar in the Unlcd States, where The laws
have hitherto been respected, and whore
the verdict OF n jury has been regarded as
tiua in all cr.mnai cases. Acquitted,
though still accused; free, though still
prosecuted, | must appeal. through the
CO uInns nj The Delta, TO your generosity,
and beg suspension OF opInon until the
cvidcncc III my case Can br LAID before you.
| can ui"ul,. no man for feeling strong
prcjudlces against me, for expressing the
ioudcsl condemnation OF that unfortunate
deed, Which has been SO darkly and in.
sen"uSiy exaggerated by my enemies
The hublc have AS yet seen but one side.
ol lhIs case anu tiiAl one has been most
unscrupu'nusiy mlsrepIesented by those
eager Tor my biord and rum. have been
acquitted by jury OF my peers, and IN
mos, cases THIS wou!d b. vindicai on suffi
cicnt, and even in my case. perverted Az 1t
has been. my acQuItal should at least .,r.
que presump,i"n oi my innocence strong
enough to indu, c the most hostile 10 pause
ill they can examine the testimony pro-
duced at my trial. THIS is all desire,
and surely It is not much for a man to
ask who has uncompainingIy submitted
to as much as have done.
A full and impartial report OF the test.
mOny in the Case has been prepared by
| Mr.. A. ID. Rn hardson, ono Of the fnost ac-
] cOmplishcd shorthand writer's IN the IVest
and Will soon be issued IRON the press oi
hiessrs y. Appleton &. Co., New York.
| Although felt The highest confidence IN
MIR. Richardson's impartaliiy. and abIlI v.
yet when remember the former course OF
my enemies, the precaution was taken to
| gentle the report authenticated hy several
have men, whose POSITIONS place them
above The soaring accuSaliunR of the
| Courier.
All that ask from You. gentlemen Of
rlIe press, ~ s'lsnce until this report can
be piaccd beI,'re the public, and ii you do
not tn II discover come better reason Tor
my acqultta! than tho corruption Of The
Jury, am willing 20 submit to your uni.
versal condemnation. ] have made no
previous attempt TO renist the designs o
my enelncs-noi, az they would falsely
ins'nuale, because [ had no defence to
make, but because relied with confidence
on the Just administration OF the laws OF
my 'm nlry. break that silence now
winch the belter Judgement OF trends for
merly lmposcd upon Inc. only because my
persecu seem t" have lost all respect
lor law, and have constituted themselves
higher tribunal, 10 reverse the decision
oI aJury regularly empanelied by the pro-
per authorities OF The State.
Once more appeal to the generosity
OF tho press in Ibis country, anu conjure
every editor, IN The name of justice and
humanity, to read the report ot my trial
weigh well the testimony on both sdes.
and tn n declare to the w0r d whether |
vc "o the right 10 sag that InJus,ic-,
black nJna,ce. has been done me-. And
Y many ue GoavunaJ by tAs t,tallDny.