South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1857-03-27

ta6fc gentlemen, ahnong ,1,tom trehe those -
the county tri5um7i from ,oAicA he verirel a,
opposmfmcns, that Mr.. Shcrrard Fad bee,
engaged in several drunken broiis., fiphtin.
and shooting ut persons with pistols. n,
threatening others. have since been in
formed. that these facts are notorious I,
the citizens OF the place, aud can easily b,
supstantlated by proof Should the con
trary he made clearly to appear, no on.
will rejoice more heartily than myself Bu,
it is my desire to lie distinctly understood
that will commission no one laborinp i'm
der such charges as wonld impair, if NO,
entirely destroy his. usefulness, Or whose
| passions and habits would render him un-
fit for the proper discharge of his duties OF
which might in any manner endauger the
peace of the Territory"
The House referred the message to a
committee, with bill 10 declare valid the
official act, of WIN T. Sherrard, aui To
make valid his appointment to the Office oi
Sheriff, &C.; and the committee unanimous
ly reported that the Governor had no right
to withhold the commission from Mr. Sher-
rard; that the appointment by the County
Court entitled him to the commission, which
the Governor, in discharging purely min
istcrial duty. was bound by law to give.
1t further adopts the stutsment of Mr..
Sherrard as part of the report; asserts
that the committee "can but look upon the
reasons given in the message as a 6 oss as
snM upon the character Of q citizen Of the
Territory" and that every assertion of
that communication was gratuitous and un.
called for" They express their belief that
the County Court as to Mr.. Sherrard's ap.
pointmcnt have seen no reason to change
their opinion Of its propriety, notwithsta:d-
ing the intimations of the message" They
report back the bill committed to them,
recommending its passage, as q whole
some check" upon the executive authority
In the judgment of this meeting, the
views Of the, committee are well sustained
upon principle; and its denial of the per-
sonal charges in the message, is just, we'll
founded, and proper.
Upon authority, which is deemed suffi-
cicnt for its entire confidence, this meeting
is satisfied that the charge of drunken broils
is unfounded in truth; that the int;nation
OF habits uniting him for the Office is un
just; and that the charge Of the exhibition
Of passions" and fighting, shooting and
threatening" without any specifications Of
time, parties or place. was an assault upon
personal character, which can find no JUS
tiication under color Of discharge of off
cial duty.
The only instance in which there was a.
ny color for such charge, there is just
warrant for saying, the violence used was
| in defence Of person and character against
wuntou insult and violent assault, and that
| it occurred when there was and could have
been no excitement from intemperance;
and it is unqucstonnble that it was we'll
, known to the court when it appointed him,
| and to the Governor when, on the 18th OF
! December, he promised to commission him.
Those who knew him here know that
while sensitiyely alive to assaults upon his
honor-and ready to resent them when
intended as such-Mr. Sherrard vas no
brawler, and was never Incorporate before
leaving Virginia.
There is ample warrant for adding that,
though the conditions of society and ha bits
Of the people among whom be has recent
| ly been living are less restrained than in
the older settlements of the country, lie
was temperat, in his habits and courteous
in bis demcanor to all who were civil to
him; and it is further averred, that from
his appointment by the County Court to
his death, he drank nothing which. could
intoxicate, and that rs matter Of oficia
propriety.
1t would not become this meeting to
characterize the conduct Of Gov. Geary n:
it would seem to deserve. But standing
in the position of the party outraged by it
whose remains rest forever in our midst
this meeting does not hesitate to declare
that Wm. #. Sherrard evinccd self con
troll which does him honor, in resting un
der this assault upon his personal charac
tcr-an assault made to justify official mis-
jcasancc, from Jan. 81, until Feb. II
without an attempt to vindicate himself b,
resorting to means recognized among mel
of the world upon principles of world.
honor.
An assault upon personal character cal
only be justified by public officer whe1
in the discharge of official duty, but whe,
to vindicatc his default in official duty h
assails private character, it would be con
trary to all the principles of free govern
mcnt, and to all the rights Of private citi
zcns, to shield him from the responsibilit
which other men owe for their actions.
Upon reliable information, the fact
stated, that chaing under the uncancelle
insult, and driven to desperation by til
continued denial fhis legal right, upon tt
assertion Of his personal demcrit, Mr.. Shc'
rard did not seek tho Governor Of Kansa
but met him face to face, by one Of thos
condolences upon which the destiny
men so often turns. Hc had that mornin
avoided the meeting. His room was NJ
der the Hall in which the Legislature sa
Tho Governor had been in the Hall, viii
Mr.. Shcrrard was there. The latter Will
drew to his room, though his cxcitcmc,
was heightened by the sight Of the ma
who had aspcrsed bis character.
When they met, Mr.. Shcrrard stated h
grievauce-and under feelings which sou
NAV not Justify. but none fail to excuse.