Delaware inquirer. (Wilmington, Del.) 1859-18??, 1859-07-23
Local Matters.

Cruelty TnEM.-Ever since the alleged of
State, an effort has been made by portion
Of the press of this city, to have them pun
ished, regardless of the creditability of the
evidence or the facts of the case. There has
never been single word printed in their ia
vor, that we have seen, but everything was
said that possibly could have been said to
have them hanged. Newspaper men should
always be careful what they print to prejudice
public opinion, particularly when that preiu-
lice will have tendency to take human
life. We have been creditably informed that
tho statement made by Jane Norris, on her
oath in Court, has been contradicted by her
self and that she is now actively engaged in
trying to induce the Governor to pardon the
men she has SO wantonly injured. People
wondered how it was that these young men
did not keep out of the way of the officers of
Justice, when they had such good opportu-
nifty. The reason was simple, but very
good one they were not guilty of the of
fence charged to them, and they did not be-
Iieve that they would be punished for an act
that they had never committed. With all
the facts of the case before him, we cannot
sec how the Governor can well help pardon
ing these men. II is no matter what their
antecedents have been, they are not guilty of
this crime, and as innocent men should be
Immediately pardoned, notwithstanding the
cry Of cruelty them, which has grown so pop
ular with some of the press who would will
lingly lead the public mind astray. We are
opposed to public opinion entering our courts
of justice. The cry of cruelty them which
has done so much to convict these men is lit
tie better than lynch law, and should be re-
pudiated by all well-thinking men. Below
we give a statement made by Jane Norris to
Sheriff Cannon which we think ought to put
damper on this cry of cruelty them. If we
were to print articles that would prejudice the
public mind so as to convictand Imaginative
we would consider ourself quite as guilty as
il we had taken a pistol and blown his brains
out.
The Jury who tried the case has unani-
mously signed petition to have Turner par
doned, which goes to show that their con-
science would not rest well if he should be
hanged upon their verdict. There is scarcely
man in New Castle county who would be
willing that these men should undergo the
severe punishment which the law provides in
such cases. The same public opinion that
raised the cry of cruelty them is now unani-
nous for granting pardon. So much for
popular convictions
"NEw CASTLE, July 9Th, 1859.
/, Jane Norris, do say that what swore to
in Court in the case of rape against Alexander
Robinson was false. The night Of the occur
renee met Robinson on the corner of the
street. and he asked me to take a ride witk
him got in the carriage with my own free
will ; we drove into the country he had con-
nection with me with my own free will, the
same as he ever had before, but did not like
it, because Turner was there as we were
coming home, he and Samuel Turner fell out
about something, and he got out of the car
riage and left me with Samuel Turner; it
made me mad when came into New Castle
could not get into the place where lived, so
went around to a friends and stayed there
all night | did not know what to tell them,
so told them this tale about the rape; did
not know that the punishment was death, for
some people told me different did not want
to swear against them but was forced to do
so by some people in New Castle but truly
repent what have done, and beg that you
may grant pardon.
her