Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1854-04-19
From fAe Gfeef5gffr Era
CRIME IN VIRGINIA.

picheu UP virginia paper tDiS iEo!Iihg
in which were reported two Or three murders
happening ID he State. This led me to
reflect serioasiy4-as | have often done before
Ion the many murders which have Of late
years been Committed not only IN Virginia,
but in the South generally, and asked my
self the question, is there not something
rotten in our public sentiment which gives
rise TO and shields these horrible tragedies
Yes. sir-if you viii take retrospect Of the
murders in Virginia. and the South generally.
in times gone by, you will hear the stubborn,
incontroyertibie fact, that examples Of pun
isbment have, in almost every case come
| from tho lower classes while those styled
gentlemen who percbance have bad wealth
aud influential connections. have escaped The
punishment which tic law Of God and man
| demands
Holy Writ cries Blood for blood We
are informed from the same high authority
that, according to the light which we have re
ceived. so shall we be held responsible. Why,
| then, should the learned man who murdered
Prof Davis, Of the University. or Mr.. Chris
tan. the law student. escape punishment af
ter the ignorant Trayer. who committed the
murder in Staunton. was hanged because
| Gas have heard said,) they had influential
relations or, in the latter case. because lie
was not g gentleman!
Can any one make me believe Prof Webster
who killed DR.. Parkman of l,osten, would have
been hanged in Virginia? Or can any one
make me believe that the son Of the member
of tho American Cabinet would have been
hanged in Virginia.
Though am Virginia born myself, de-
clare it is time for the Press to speak out and
spare not. Our Southern moral atmosphere
needs purifying. Why is it that distinctions
are not so marked in the New England States?
Because their tribunals have the hrmness in
the sight Of God aud man to discharge a sa-
cred duty Capt. Mckenzie hung the blood
thirsty Spencer that others would see bis fate
and know their own il they followed bis exam
ple--Prof Webster was hanged for the same
effect--and * we had the same moral Grmness
in Virginia-ig public sentiment OF this sub
jeet bad been as healthy--the murder Of
Prof Davis or the murderer Of Pitman would
not have escaped their just deserts. Nor
would the killer Of young blackburn now re,
ceivc sympathy or aid in shielding him from
the vengeance of the law. if guilty.
Justice cries alond, repeat. that it is now
time to make melancholy example of any
one who should be found guilty. The times
require that such sacrifice be made. The
safety of the community demands tie sacri-
fee pu bic morality demands it-a desera-
ted Sabbath demands it.
Unless there is a change 10 the existing
state Of things 10 Virginia. in this respect. ",
) may as well rub out our criminal laws. A
} friend recapitulated twelve murders to m,
just now, all of which occurred in Virginia 0
late years, which entirely escaped the verge
! ance of the law. Is this not truef
, Look at the consequences Of tho receD
bloody killing Ct a promising aud magnani
) nous youth--the thrill Of which chilled tbt
} blood of thousands huudfed miles away
Go into the family circle Of the murdered
: youtb--see the strickenhcarted and comfort
: less mother--the weeping brothers and sis
ters--the stout hearted but melancholy faith
err the life b;ood of whose promising son stains
the earth even at the very threshold Of
: Christian Church in Lexington. Look upol
the blghted hopes and fearful wreck the as
sassiu's hand has made ia that household
and then turu to the murdeIers own pater
nal home Behold the sadness wrougb
among bis relations and friends, who mus
now bid adicu to the bright hopes they form
ed Of him as well as to their own peace o
mind. For. if by bubble Of the law b.
escapes-there is still blood on bis hand--h
is henceforth dead to them
What will prevent the recurrence Of thes
dreadful scenes ? We answer--the purifica
ton Of public sentiment. snd the certain, ter
: rible and omnipotent vengeance Of the Law
the law which God Numbered to terror
. stricken world. and which men have writer
in their statutes with reverence and Justice
At this time, in this dearth Of stern sentimen
Of moral obligations. the voice Of virtue, JUS
tice humanity and religion demand that jus.
tice should be done to the names of him whose
blood ehriehes the cold ground at the churci
door in Lexington What if he be brought
from the bosom Of rich and influential fam.
lily? The greeter and more saluiary shall b.
the effect. Ii will indelibly stamp the SEN
timent Of the omnipotence Of tho law upon
the public mind, and restrain with wholesome
faar tba hra MILNE NJ 4 furhulant entrfo nf Al,