Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1864-05-12
u.rcy aud Murder.

chsrges contained IN the Sentinel Of the 10Th inst
and those ~ho have read both articles must
plainly see hcw far !, falls short OF showing facts
even mitigating the Governors conduct.
We charged that Governor MoRrox bad used
the gardening pover 70 protect bis political
friends from the penalty fixed BY law when they
have been convicted for numbering Democrats.
simply because they we're Republicans. when
these ~as no presense that they we're not guilt,
or that thew have not had fair trial.
We showed that be vas in two cases-the ONLY
ones 70 which we refered-inhuenced oy mere
partisan considerations. and exercised the par
doning power merely because the persons to be
punished we're his political friends.
The cases 70 which we referred were those OF
ALPHEus B HoUsrox for killing WILLIAM SILL,
in Shelby county. and ALEXANDER HATToS, for
killing JONI BRowS, in Brown county
We showed that "a 20 HousToS. it was
understood among his friends previous to the
session Of the curt that be would be pardoned,
that the petition gave why he should be
psrioneh. and that it was accompanied by atiida
wits urging. as reason. that the sheriff bad
in some instances failei TO pa; Republicans upon
the jury when lie bad an opportunity; that the
afiants we're not satisfied with mixed jury.
but thought IL sufficient ground for pardon that
the jury was not e1clasicely Republican. and
that be was pardoned the day he was sen
fenced.
What does the Journal say in reply TO thisr
Simply this: that the defendant was only eigh-
teen wears Of age. and that two years imPrison-
ment would have proved utter and total ruin.
This il a for pardonng person for
taking human life The law does not receive il
A. an excuse for crime. and has been unable to
see that murder committed by person of that
age shall 90 unpunIshed
Governor Mosros. by this act. has said to
every young man of eghteen--"Y gu may muir
der. rape, and rob. and will pardon you, provi-
ded you are Of nv political faith, and your victims
are Of ano her"
HoUsroS slew fellow being. mixed jury
convicted him. and Governor MoRroS is so so
licitous for the young mans morals. that he
thinks IL best for the interests of society that
be should be punished. and lets him go scot
free
IL il serious subject for the people con
slider what protection they have from the mani
festations Of the subjects of the Governors moral
upon experiments.
In the HArroS the parties had had a po
ltical dispute. HATroS called BROwN "secesh."
BRowS retor,ed Abolitionist"
That night. after BRowS and his wife had gone
to bed. HATroS discovered standing near a
window. at the head of the bed with pistol
pointed at BRowS. swapping 1t. BRowS went out.
scuffie ensued. and BRowS got up off HAT
ros. he vas stabbed MORALLY. The question of
guilt submitted the jury. also what pen
atty should be inflicted. They found that the
defendant should be hung.
Here il a cool. deliberate murder. proceeding
from political heat. aud Moron commutes the
sentence. Now what Causes itl
The Journal says that number of the people
Of Brown county petitioned for it. and that
BODY demonstrated AGAINST Il
The fact that petition is presented. signed by
number of persons, argues nothing in a case Of
this character. there a
fenced 10 be hung whose friends we're not able 10
work upon the sympathies of many who. for the
nkeof the criminals friends, will sign petition
even when they believe him guilty. and when a
is guilty of crime. petition by citizens
furnishes no reason for pardon or commutation
The crime is tried by the court and jury. and
not on petition by the Governor
The fact that no one reuonstrated is a ridicu-
lous consideration No public notice was given
of the fling OF the petition. that remon
strances were expected, or would be considered.
The Shelby county case shows what MoRroN
thinks about remODstrances. aud what weight he
gives them Here the papers were prepared in
SheibyviIle the day before the defendant
sentenced. he vas pardonel on the day the sen
tence pronounced. and the pardon in
Shelbyville before il was known 10 the public
that petition was presented.
The Journal SAYS HArroN was half IDIOT
We DO not know whether it means by this say
thar be had 50 little mind TO he below legal
responsibility or not. The Jury did not think so,
and il the Governor did. he should have let him
of entirely.
II certainly appears that he able 20 engage
In political controversy and parrot the Journals
and Mo3ToS's slang about the Democracy being
"secesh." and was able to appreciate. and bad
enough TO carry into practical effect. the teach
ngs Of those high authorities. that Democrats
deserve death because they do not agree poit
cally with our excellent. impartial. and pure
minded Governor
The Journal publishes letter from Mr. JOIN
ID HowLssp. of this city. who il saws was sent
as the Governors special detective into Brown
county to investigate the matter. and who is
damned by the Journal with praises of his ability
and integrity
Mr. HowiASp ssys:"I could obtain no notes Of
the evidence The charges Of the Judge who
tried the cause. if in writing. were not upon the
files Of the Court"
Finding nothing of official character. he
proceeds to explore other and various sources
10 which, / applied
He found the defendant tender youth Of
about twenty one years Of age. His pirenage
was degraded: his surroundings such as TO make
him reckless and depraved"
He further shows that the various sources"
inioTme. him that this afnisbe yountr marriott