The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-07-24
THE AMENDE HONORABLE.

THE AMENDE HONORABLE.
Letter from Albemarle--TheS Salmon Murder
The Commonweslth's Attorney Vindicated-
/ Ourselves.
To the Editor Of the State Journal:
In your issue of the 2Oth inst, you do, If
course unintentionally, great injustice to Micaja,
Woods, ESQ., Commemorative Attorney for this
county, in regard to the result of the Salmon
trial.
Salmon was acquitted under the law, which
proved that prisoner, who goes over for three
terms without trial, &c, shall be forever dis
About year since, he was convicted of mur-
der, in the first degree, in the county court and
condemned to be hung. sf.. .-
Upon the refusal of the county judge to grant
a new trial, and appeal was taken to the circuit
court, which set aside tho verdict and awarded
a new trial. -.u
vertence, to explain which is not
necessary to my present purpose, but for
which ceaSlTe can attach either TO tho
county or the circuit Judge. Salmon prop
erly released, so far as the law is concerned
Salmon was, no doubt, guilty, but for his un-
merited escape no blame for neglect of duty, or
in any respect, can attach to the Commonwealth
Attorney, Mr.. Woods; if for no other reason SIM
ply because whatever mistake had been made, or
whatever neglect was shown amy where in the
matter occurred before he went into office. In
fact, Mr.. Woods term began 1st of January
last, and Salmon was condemned in the county
court six months, and new trial awarded in the
nasmuch as salmon was not sent back in the
no noahs be tred in the eoanty un r that
time and therefore could not be tried at all.
raignment OF this most unnatural criminal and
ne escaped, thereby cheating the gallows of its
due.
This plain statement shows that no blame IL, in
W., Woods. ''e' ~
There seems mo 70 De an f r Woods 20 or yop y
state that 'he may have reasons for his neglect
demonstrate that lie could not possibly have been
to blame lam fl, m TINS matter ;,.t Nj, w osse,,sd
salmon with great zeal before the court which
to mS nreVent re v his disc6arre result which no
lawyer Of whatever experience or ability could
will add that have never heard from Demo .,
regard @ ID to this unpleasant aiTair cast upon Mr.
Mooas On ,ne ~ Is % "ty ;n 6, tha t,,
premises. Nor has the high character Of the cir
OF, of course Curse no blame can attach to the county
judge whe i is conceded every Mhere aa "a fgn tSae
gentlemen, and irreeoncilabiy opposed 10 them in
pnre an, aisa induced 10 do $40 so
from desire to set you, q political friend, right
"''' : ''''' @'''' - wa 7''' aw f."
We most cheerfully give room to the
above letter from Albemarle, which unmis-
takably vindicates Micajah Woods, Esq,
Commemorative Attorney OF Albemarle,
from either neglect or improper motive in
permitting the escape of John Henry Sal
mon, the cold-blooded murderer of his
mother and brother. ssss
We have long since condemned the habit
of the press for its disposition to reflect
upon the official conduct Of officers to
whom it is politically opposed; but
the continued fierce assaults of those of
Democratic faith upon officers of the Re-
publican party, induce our friends to de-
mand of us the ler taliop,s in reference to
the conduct Of Democratic officials to
whom circumstances point as erring. This
demand we frequently refuse to obey but
believing, in the case of Salmon, that
official neglect, ignorance, or other motive,
had turned loose upon society one of the
foulest ficnds in existence, we regarded it
our dutv to assail what appeared to us the
the RESPONSIBLE party.
u,u;,,u ,oreorn,od +bot artv ouore of tho
,osnons;b;l;tv yo assumed wo now nerform
the second one of erhoueyat;ao NJ. Woods
from epe,v rart;cls of blame IN the matter.
wa have f,aouentlv boen called unon to
r,ad reflections mon officers who personally
and noliticallv are our friends. particularly
in connection with the execution Of the
Enforcement Act. y at the same time. tho
fact is a patent one. that il is the law of the
Government under which we live. and mus
be executed by those holding commission
under the Government.
Hinder these aeerayating circumstances
we. as the organ of the Republican party il
Virginia, must not be expected to remain
quiet when we see members of the opposite
party, SO ignorant or neglectful Of thei
duty, as to permit by error, the escape o
such a ficnd as Salmon. In support of thi