The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-01-24
letter from Goochland.
GoocHLAND COUNTY, Jan. 81, 1871.
IT., ,be Editor of the State .JouypaL.

GoocHLAND COUNTY, Jan. 81, 1871.
To the Editor Of the State Jomnal:
As Goochland is considered place from
which it is very difficult to obtain any
kind of news or information, l will take il
upon myself to furnish you with briel
synopsis of some of the most important
events which have transpired in this coun-
ty within the past week. Our county
court, Judge Leake persidng, commenced
its regular monthly term to-day, when
our recently-elected sheriff entered upon
the discharge of his official duties, much to
the regret and discomfort of the respecta-
BILE citizens of this county, to whom his
extreme radicalism is somewhat dstasteful
The first case which engaged the atten-
ton of the court, was that of the Com
monwealth versus Bob johnson, for bur-
glary jury was empannelled to try his
case, consisting of men of .his own color,
which was indeed a. novel Spectacle TO the
people of this county.
The prisoner was arraigned, pleaded not
guilty, and his trial entered into, with
Banks and Tutwiler for the defence, and
John n. Davis for the Commonwealth.
Then came the evidence on the part Of the
prosecution, which was perfectly conelu-
sive as to the guilt of the accused beyond
the shadow of a doubt. There being no
evidence on the part Of the defence, the
argument was commenced, which, being
concluded, without signal ability on either
side, the case was given to the jury, who,
after brief retirement, rendered a verdict
of not guilty; which was entirely contrary
to the law and evidence, and tended to
confirm the opinion, already prevalent
among the Conservatives, that the violated
majesty of the law will never be vindica-
ted when a colored criminal is tried by a
colored jury.
Our courthouse was densely thronged
with our newly enfranchised citizens, all
eager aspirants to the great boon of filling
the jury-box, which they seem to regard as
the highest prerogative of a freeman. The
next case of Importance on the criminal
docket is the great political persecution
case Of John N. Davis, who was elected
prosecuting attorney for this county on the
Republican ticket. The case has acquired
great celebrity, and created uubounded I'M
terest in this and adjoining counties The
defendant is represented by Messrs. Holla-
day, Cosby and Tutwiler, who willingly
rendered their professional services to the
accused, believing the charge Of perjury,
which has been preferred against him by
the political enthusiasts of this county, to
be utterly unfounded, and which is gen.
orally believed by all classes of our citizens
to have originated out of the great political
excitement which reigns to an unprece-
dented extent in this county. The case
being called, the counsel for the defendant
asked for a change of the venue Oh account
of the great prejudice against the accused.
After considerable discussion as to the pro.
priety of removing the cause, the Judge
finally consented to allow it to be carried
to Louisa, where, it is to be hoped, the
victim of political oppression and injustice
may have the benefit of q fair hearing and
an impartial trial
Goochland may be justly termed the seat
of political intolerance, for if there-is one
thing the Conservatives are united in, it is
IN the denunciation of Republicanism.-
Their speakers seem to take especial de-
light in proclaiming it from their stands
that there is not one honest or respectable
man in the Republican party of this State,
and all the time pretend to be pursuing a
conciliatory policy. IF this is calculated to
reconcile our political differences, / can
not see it. know that since / allied N.Y.
self to the Republican party, the Conserva-
tives have resorted to every insidious
which human thought can
devise to injure me at the bar of public
opinion. But feel certain that such a |
course Of conduct will eventually weaken
their cause, for it is already beginning to
stamp upon itself the indellible stigma of |
public adherence. w.