The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1858-07-08
GEN. LANES TRIAL.
Special Correspondent to the Tribune.
.Fla LAWRENCE, K. T., June 81, 1853.

Special Correspondent to the Tribune.
$50 LAWRENCE, K. T., June 81, 1853.
For severaldays past the exciting subject
here has been the preliminary .examina.
tion of Gen. j. Ii. Lane, before magis.
trate, for shooting Mr.. Jenkins. Although
having no necessary connection with Kan.
'sas politics, the affair has received to so me
extent political aspect. The rivals and
enemies of Gen. Lane have used it as a
means of brushing him out of their way,
and his friends, for similar reasons, have
endeavored to palliate it. 1t is for this
reason that this investig alton has assumed
political Importance. Extensive reports
of this investigation are being made and
will be published. The examination will
consume several days more, when Lane
will probably be com mitted for trial, as,
| presume, he has no desire to be acquit-
ted in mere preliminary examinat alton
The Importance given to the affair of this
stage is, doubtless, owing to political con-
siderations.
So far the testimony is very much mix,
ed By the evidence for the defense, as
given on Saturday, it would appear that
the shooting was done in self defense. |
have not been able to form decided O.
pinion as to the relative merits of the
case. | regard it as involving this ques-
tion-whether Lane shot Mr. jenkins in
strict self defense, or on point of chiyal-
rous pridel If the latter, there is no ex-
cuse for it, especially in man in his po-
sition. If the former, there is no man
who might not have been placed in
a condition equally unfortunate, and been
driven to commit an act which he mig ght
regret. Although l have not spoken to
Gen. Lane since the occurrence. | have
been informed that he regrets it deeply
and has even said that he would rather
occupy the place of jenkins than his own
Against Lane there is the evidence that
the party shot was still at some dis
tance from him, and the obvious fact th at
his personal danger must be greater after
be fired than it could be before it. as an
armed party accompanied Jenkins. In
Lanes favor there is the unquestiooabl
fact that jenkins, with an armed party,
in hostile attitude, invaded Lanes premi-
ses, and were engaged in demoishing his
fences. By the testimony of Mr.. Gates,
it appears that two shots were fired at
Gen. Lane before be shot jenkins, and if
this is substantiated it would acquit him
both legally and morally. Sheriff Walk
er also testified that Green, who was with
jenkins, said thatif his Green's pistol had
gone off when the cap burst, Lane would
not have shot jenkins.
st the Investigation here several per-
sons, prominent men, have been very ac-
tive, and exhibited desire, to say the
least Of it. to see justice done. The tes-
timony of Judge Smith was unquestiona-
bly, bitter. The feeling thus exhibited
has the effect of creating popular feel
ing, on the other hand in Lanes favor.
1t is regarded as political warfare a.
moDg men.
All this is extremely unfortunate. The
ends of justice demand an impartial in
vestigation untouched by bias. 1t is due
to public morals that nothing should ia
tervene to give the matter any bearing
but its simple one, apart from political or
personal considerations. No friendship
for or enmity to Gen. Lane, should be
permitted to enter into the account As
the Investigation so far proves Lane has
either shot jenkins in strict self-defense
or on point of pride, they invading
bis premises, and evidently on hostile
business. In no case would jury any
where return verdict of murder. But
in all such instances grave questions will
arise. A man who occupies public po-
sition is held responsible not only for the
literal justice of his acts, but for their wis.
dom. 1t would have required very
high order and delicate sense of morality
in any Que occupying Gen. Lane situation,
to have retreated before the aggressor,
and preferred the SCOTS of the unthinking
multitude, than by remaining to have
been preoiptated into the necessity Of ta
king human life. AS Southern man
and Kentuckiau, Gen. Lane would have
lost his c0ste BY doing so. The man shot
had been known to express the opinion
that "Lane was a coward" 1t is even
charged by Lanes friends that the whole
thing was conspiracy to destroy the
prestige of his name and popularity by
"backing him down." How many of our
Southern Hotspurs in Congress are there
who would have done differently from
him if placed in his position ad mitting
the truth of the strongest evidence against
himl
But while this may explain, it cannot
palliate any such act We know that il
is not only a misfortune, but grievous
wrong that some one has been guilty Of
1t may have been the deceased, who has
thus paid the fearful penalty of bis fault
On the other hand. if it be proven that
Gen. Lane shot this man in simple self
defense, let him stand acquitted before
the world. But if it was merely point
of "chiyalrous" refusal to "be driven, as
has been said here, "like dog to his
kennel" then let the public mind hold