Georgetown weekly news., 1855-02-08
RSP Mr.. JOHN TABOR. the former edi-


BsS~ Mr.. JOHN TABOR, the former edi-
tor of the Stockton Journal, was, on the 22d
ult, sentenced to be hung-judgment to be
executed on the 10th of next March, at one
O'Clock, P. NJ. 1t may be that the jury,
under the appearances and evidence given
upon trial, could not legally do otherwise
than bring in a verdict against Mr. TABOR
we say this may be so, but so far as we
are able to judge of the circumstances rela-
ted tous by persons who were well aceuaint-
ed with all the minutia of the affair, Mr.
TABOR ought not to be visited with the full
penalty and force of the law. One person
of reliable character who was not only ac-
quainted will. the circumstances leading to
the difficulty between Messrs. TABOR and
MANSFIELD, but was also an eye witness to
the fatality resulting in Mr.. MANsFIELD's S
death, informs US that language was made
use Of by one of the parties which had
tendency to convey to Mr. TABOR the idea
of personal attack upon him, and that
just previous to the time Mr. TABOR shot
MANSFIELD, Mr.. TABOR was walking on
the sidewalk approaching where MANS
FIELD stood, and that upon seeing MANS
FIELD, left the sidewalk and was walking
in the middle of the street, in order to avoid
him, and when he approached opposite to
Mr.. MANSFIELD, that unfortunate gentleman
called him, making use of very abusive Ian
guage and threats, upon which Mr.. TABOR,
in the heat of insulted honor, and fear of vi
olence, drew his pistol and shot him =
Now, Mr.. TABOR was evidently avoiding
MANSFIELD, and had expressed his dread at
meeting him, in consequence of his, MANS
FIELDS threats, as we'll as TABoR's knowl-
edge of MANsFIELD's disposition. These
| things, we believe, were admitted in court,
and ought to show that Mr.. TABOR did not
harbor anything like murder in his heart
Indeed, when we look into the past private
character of Mr.. TABOR, we have but little
to censure and much to commend. His pa
per will show for itself, that he was fore
most with his Journal in the advocacy of
virtue and all those principles which tend
to the publication Of public morals. Twice,
if we mistake not, has he refused to imbue
his hands in the deep criminality of public
duels-and in these refusals, gave none but
the manly excuse of principle. Had Mr..
TABOR met Mr.. MANSFIELD on stipulated
grounds under what is falsely called the
code of honor, and there murdered him, he
would probably have been held guiltless;
but, as he did it at the moment of excited
passion, and at time when he had every
reason to induce him to believe that be was
acting in self defense, he must hang for it
If this is justice, then heaven protect the
just. 1t is sincerely to be hoped, that the
Executive clemency of our Governor, in ac-
cordance with that mercy which we will all
require in the day of final reckoning, will
extend to Mr.. TABOR the mercy of popu-
lar reprieve. We cannot believe him gull
ty Of murder. The evidence and opinion of
all unprcjudiced men acquainted with the
unfortunate affair, are in his favor. His
private life and his public character are in
his favor, and we cannot but believe that
Justice and Mercy will be finally exercised
towards him.