The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1866-06-07
Two Facts worth Thinking or

Two FactS worth thinking OF o4-
Many of our Northern exchanges come to
US with doubts as to the possibility Of a fair
trial for men from beyond the Potomac in our
Courts, and the idea of mercy or justice to-
wards a negro, on our part, seems to be too
wild vision for them to entertain moment
These opinions, we have reason to believe,
are honestly held by many of those who write
them, for the mass of such journalists are
really as Ignorant of the temper of our people
and the texture of our society, as if we lived
on the steppes Of Tartary, or in the interior
of Persia. Some there are, however, whose
policy, not their ignorance, induces them sys-
tematically to misrepresent US. Upon this
class we have no idea we can produce any eff
feet by the two stories we are about to mar
rate; for we should as soon think Of quoting
Scripture to his Satanic majesty, as to dream
Of making an impression on the philosopher
HORACE, by pointing out to him the injustice
Of his course in presenting the people of the
South In the false attitude in which he loves
to place them. HORACE is Joined to his
idols-ebony and gold--and we let him alone.
Bat there are other journals less malignant,
which may pause upon our two stories with
profit. AS an illustration Of the candor and
humanity of Southern juries and communi-.
ties, we cite two facts of recent occurrence.
They are full Of significance, and require no
comment at our hands |
In the city of Petersburg, the other dry, a
youth from Massachusetts, State upon
which we lavish very little affection in this
latitude-was arsaigned on the charge of
felony. q.'s,
Tie trial was one of peculiar interest, That
great public charity, the Freedmen's Bureau,
had attempted to take the prisoner from the
custody of the officers of the law, and His
Majesty, King HOWARD has graciously be-
come party to this outrage. This tyran-
nical and high-handed measure was resisted,
and the offender was brought to trial.
1t will be seen from this antecedent occrl-
renee, that course had been pursued by the
friends of the accused well calculated to
mako the Attorney for the Commonwealth,
the Jury, and the Court, insist upon the
pound Of flesh.
The trial resulted IN verdict of guilty,
The testimony was conclusive, and nothing
stood between the young Bostonian and igno-
minious confinement in the Penitentiary, but
the tender hearts of Virginia jury, 81 The
tears Of the aged parents prevailed, and d re-
commentator to clemency was made by the
jury which found him guilty On this re-
commentator he was pardoned.. iii 81
So much for the hearts of Virginia jury
men,
In the Montgomery HAL, of the 30th, we
find the history Of another case, which is
equally significant, A negro was sentenced
in Barbour county, Alabama, to death, for an
attempt to commit an Infamous offence-one
of those crimes equally without an adequate
nams and an adequate punishment, TIE
sentence has been committed to Imprisonment,
upon the ground that he was non compos
maelstis. .
Tue MGR adds to the statement Of facts we
have quoted, the remark, that the citizens of
the county arc Unanimous" in sustaining the
clement act of the Governor. Here are two
facts which are worth all the fierce declama
items of Phillips and Greeley put together,
They are worth volume of the great In
cendiary's speeches, and are better than all the
Philosophers artful editorials, as true express
ions of the generous temper of the people of
the South. -7 iv s14A