Meigs County telegraph. [volume] (Pomeroy [Ohio]) 1848-1859, 1858-07-13
Gaen. Jnuncv T1.1,mmo.

~O'y 't'SiO - HO ua"u ~ buc OutOu
at the present timo who is moro notorious
than Jim Lane Of Kansas. Having voted
for the Nebraska Bill in Congress, he was
discarded byan indignant constituency in
Indiana, aud botook himself to the new
Territory Of KanSas, organized under tho
Bill which he had aided TO pass. Here
the conflict between freedom and slavery
had already begun, and he was called upon
TO choose with wlich he would act in fu-
ture. Protesting. rs he had done, to be-
ieve that the Nebraska Bill was an anti
slavery measure, he but acted in accord
ance with his professions. whatever might
have been his principies. in joining the
his former party friends deserted him
the Free State party was his only resting
place, and ho became, IN short time, the
acknowledged leader of their forces in the
Territory. From that day to this there
has been no abuse too gross, no lie too un-
blushing, for the use OF the Pro. Slavery
party. in Congress and through the press.
in speaking of him. The recent affray at
his house, in which Gaius jenkins was
killed, and for which Lane is now under
going trial at Lawrence, has afforded them
a more plausible and effective weapon than
they have ever before had. Fearing his
marked ability and energy, and his great
influence, they had determined that his
life should be taken-or, If not this, his
character and influence.
That James II. Lane is either states-
man of the first rank, or politician Of
the purest principles, We do not claim.
But that, for some motive, he has been
energetic and true in the cause Of free
dom in Kansas--that he has been essen
tial to the success Of the right there. we
do not doubt. Many polilicians-perhaps
even in our midst-are not entirely free
from thoughts of self in their advocacy
Of their party principles. So long as they
serve the people faithfully, we have very
little to do with their motives.
In the present instance, Mt least, Gen.
Lane is entitled to what the Pro Slavery
press seem desirous of denying him-a
fair and impartial trial. He not only has
right to this as private citizon before
the Court which sit upon his case, but
also as public man before the people who
are the judges of his character and the
makers or destroyers of his reputation. The
Pro Slavery press, asserting that he is
guilty.. declare that ho should be hung.
and in view of the probability of his ac-
quittal, cry out against his influence with
his party and attribute it to that. Moth
ing could be more dishonest. Party feel
ing has had nothing 10 do with the case.
jenkins was Free State man-the quar-
rel WAS purely personal-and both have
had their warm adherents since the affray.
Lane claims that the homicide was COM
mitted in self-dcfense, and a careful peru
sal of the evidence as published. has led
us to the conclusion that the judgmen of
Court, and all who fairly examine the case,
will be JUsTIFIABLE homicide.
Since writing the above, we have re-
ceived the final action of the Court in the
case. which we copy from the Leavenworth
Ledger" of the lst inst, a paper Bit
terry opposed to Gen. Lane. We copy
from this paper because the sympaLhies
and feelings of the editor, as will be seen,
were all against Lane, and his Judgment
may therefore be supposed to be impartial.
The quarrel and its results are greatly to
be regretted, and will, doubtlessly, be
used to the injury Of the Frec-State move |
ment in Kansas. The Ledger" says:
"The argument in the examination of
Gen. James H. Lane closed yesterday eve
ming, and the case was them submitted to ,
the magistrates. They adjourned the
contest until 10 A. NJ, yesterday, when
hey would announce their decision. AT
4 O'Clock, it WAS announced that they had /
At last agreed, and were about to render a
decision. A crowd straightway gathered
1t the magistrates Office, filling it TO re-
Dletion, and leaving scores outside, anx-
Jus, but unable, to gain admission. The
prisoner. Gen. Lane, attended by one of
MS counsel, was on hand. Then followed
THE DECISION OF THE COURT,
70 this effect: In making out case
against tho defendant, it was necessary,
irst, to prove that murder had been
committed: and, secondly, by Gen. Lane
rhe prosecution had failed to establish
he first The court were unanimously of
he opinion that no murder had been COM
nitted; and as the Territory having failed
o establish this primary fact, the only
:harge contained in the affidavit. the de-
endant, Gen. Lane, was accordingly dis
charged.
This announcement caused loud and
general stamping of feet among the crowd,
md other demonstrations of approval,