Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1867-03-14

LETTER FROM FAUouIER COUNTY.

zLC4lGh EhObA F6UGUlER CUU l.
Correspondence Of the Alexandria GaGette.J
WARRENToN, March l0-Any one returns
ing TO this ancient borough, after an absence OF
year or more, will, think, remark the alter
ed appearance even in the countenances Of the
cheerful acquaintance and jovial friends. f
former times.
Alas what Il change has taken place Al
ter the war, when tired Of strife ADD scenes OF
carnage and war, accepting a peace which the
conquerer dictated, ngood faith, thy rschewcd
politics. aud devoted themselves to repair as
far as heir small means would allow, the dam
ages which had been inflicted on them, striving
to save enough from the wreck Of their fortunes
70 enable their fami les TO live comfortably. -
And, more orderly, law abiding citizens than
the people of Virginia. never lived. 20 IN the
Criminal Courts Of the State; look IN the
dockets and you can scarcely lind one ex-re0el
soldier indicted for criminal offence. Com
mare this state of society with thatat the north.
You can scarcely pick up a daily paper without
reading accounts Of horrible murders cmbez-
elements and frauds there, which have become so
common as to excite no comment. Ana no"
the reward is what we see around US
TO a serious and rejecting mind this state ct
things is dreadful Should the threatened
contiscation bill pass, what then? There are
sometimes when life itself ceases to &c ncslra-
be- But, let me turn to other matters
There is a tocrabc business dong here Just
now. The commission merchants, especially;
have considerable trade, though money seems
never to have been 81 scarce IN this community.
The merchants Of the town recently hcid d
meeting. in which resolutions were passed TO
adhere only to the cash system IN the iutule.
The wheat crop looks unusually well: aud
givcs promise Of a splendid crop. There is not
much difficulty in getting good hands; the
freedmen seem nov willing or ready to work,
and but for the thereatcoed evils which pre-
vent the farmer from employing his whole cap
ita in the improvement Of his lands, lew
wears would suffice to enable him 70 repair ms
previous misfortunes.
We take great interest in the affairs Of Al
cxandra and ardently hoi yet Tor the con
tnuance Of Alexandria in Virginia, AID the
future prosperity OF your city. \. II.
| CASE or SURRATT Tt is stated that the
same questions will arise in the trial Of John II.
| Surratt which arose 10 thatOl Frank Knapp, Tor
the murder Of White, in Salem. more than
thirty years ago, and upon which Webster made
his famous argument. By The old Maryland
| law, existing now in The District Of CoInn!tla- n:
| in Massachusetts, when Knapp Vas tried, but
| since altered by statute 1here--an accessory
cannot be convicted till after his principal has
been tried and convicted. As Booth has never
been convicted, Slrratt cannot be convicted as
accessory to the murder, and can only be con
viciel a. principal by proving HIM present. or
50 near a to be able tJ render assistance II
needed. It was the general opinion OF the bar
| OF Massachusetts at The Time that Webster :
wonderful argument, notthc law, hung Knapp.
| How near to the scene OF the murder OF Ian
coin Tue evidence will bring Surratt, remains
for the Trial to show H. Is is generally IN
lcrstood, he was 20 nearer han New ork, 1t IS
difficult to see how he can be convicted Of the
capital oHence--t not Of that, then, under the
peculiar lave in question. he can be convicted OF
nothing. II would be singular indeed il Sur
raft should be indebted 10 Sergeant Boston
Cnrbett for the preservation Of his neck.