Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1876-10-20
AscH. Charles KINGS Gaze
c editor Of the alexandria Guzette .

oil the Rev. Charles King, oil our town, which |
has excited SD much i'll will aud unjust com.
ment, will, III consequence Of the disagreement
ai the Jury IN the first trial, come up again for |
Investigation n our County Court on the first |
Monday IN next month aud as | am one of
those who believe Mr. King innocent of the |
charge alleged against him, beg you will do |
me the favor to give the following remarks 10
regard TO his case place in the columns OF the |
'Ga2ette, which request, feel assured, from
your known fairness and love Of justice, will be
readily granted: am sensible that there are
| times when it is lmprudent TO even attempt to
deteGd the innocent or just cause. But
| had rather suffer in the defence Of rig lit than
triumph aud prosper IN wrong. Nor do de-
sire any popularity or advantages that are &C.
CURED IN ennni0ing at oppression and q sacli.
ice Ci honor. Ia witnessing wrong, without
trying to prevent it, We are just as guilty as
though We perpetrated it ourselves. When
the charge was first made it was magniGed into
| the gravity OF 40 attempt to commit a felony,
and, as was natural it excited great deal OF
indignation and severe comment against its
unfortunate victim. But upon an examination
Of the charge before magistrate, with Mr..
King evidence excluded, it was raced into
an assault, and | do not believe that it can
be sustained ia that reduced form before an in-
teigent.. and unpIejudicad jury. From the
evidence in the case, it seems plain TO NE that
the charge has no foundation liz truth, and
that it originated in that unfortunate state OF
the mind which has CAUSED some persons to
imagine that one Of their legs had turned into
glass, and many Others to fancy that they were
daily harassed and tormeuted by demons whom
they asserted and believed they plainly saw in
their devilish vocalions, but were invisible to
all others not afflicted like themselves.
After attantiyeIy listening to the evidence, |
cannot but regard the charge as too unreason-
able and improbable to deserve belief. shall
refrain from commenting upon some OF those
portions of the evidence of Mrs. Story which
) lead NE to this conclusion, in order to avoid
} making unpleasant reflections on her testimony
and strange conduct. | will observe, however,
that it was shown by her own evidence aud
, that Of her husband that it was Mr. King 8
first visit to their house, after frequent press
, ing Invitations TO do so that Mr.. King was
, alone 10 the house with Mrs. Story al halt
, hour or less, while her husband was 10 the cat
field near by, and his children, two OF them,
eleven years Of age, were 10 the yard, liable 10
/ come 10 at any moment, and the windows and
doors were wide open. Ga MIR. Story's return
? to the house nothing was said as TO any I'M
proper conduct on the part of Mr. King by
. Mrs. Story. 90 the contrary, Mr.. and Mrs.
D Story politely escorted MIR. King TO the depo!
[ and parted with him on friendly terms, with q
/ pressing invitation to repeat his visit. Mira.
Story DENIES that she Joined her husband in
; his invitation to Mr. King to visit them again
but her kindly going with him to the depot
D and takipp friendly leave OF hun, would seem
e to confirm Mr. Kings evidence that she did
b JOIN with her husband in his invitation to him
/. to visit them again.
| Is it probable--udae,l, is it possible, that
any sane person could have thus kindly treated
man who had, as she asserts, but few min
e utes before. attempted to commit upon hel
persOn the horrible crime 10 question: 1t l.
; simply impossible:
The reason assigned 10y Mrs Story for no
l.. calling her husband and exposing Mr. King al
i; the lime the alleged offence was committed
!; was that she was afraid he would murder her
=. thus showing an obl!qulty of Judgment
!. which cannot fail to cast reasonable donb
:. upon her whole statement.
; The idea Of supposlng that Mr.. King would
in the vain hope Of escaping the consequences
c of 4 mere misdemcanor, il guilty, have mnr
e de:ed her, and thereby surely incurred III
Il igDomiuious death, shows weakness which
It deserves our sympathy, but it would be hazard
j., ous, indeed, to condemn any one upon suct
evidence.
| Notwithstanding these proved facts, the pre-
o iuuicc Of some OF those who believed MIR. hing
c guilty was carried so far as to even evlnce in
: tolerant feelings towards those who believed
: him innocent.
My age, experience and study atmonlsh me
h OF the danger Of acting upon opinions formed
). and nourishei BY prtiuiice and hate. Although
; the peopa of Prince William have ever bsel
: distinguished for their love Of right, yet We
i cannot he TOO careful in guarding against
! wrong We of the South have felt the terri
; ble consequences Of acting upon such PERM
cious aa:i dangerous sentiments a loss oil
, liberty, and devastated aad ruined country,
! should warn Us oil lis dangers 1t may be
. asked What is the cause oil so much prejudice
!. against Mr. kiog aiil. from this charge.
F. reply that much OF it has been excited by his
strenuous and praiseworthy efforts in the cause
/: Of Temperance, fox which he deserves credit
, rather than .ensure. When Justice CANNOT be
j, obtained l7 all alike We may well trembIe tol
= the future.
/, A csm and healthy state Of public mind i.
the safeguard Of inn0cence, rational liberty and
of personal right They are the precious food
i and raiment which insure justice aud give
peace, friendship and happiness to human 50,
d. ricty The absence Of these benign blessings
l 10 c:ue! oppression, misery anu tears. Ii IS the
: province OF legal wisdom TO interpret the law
F.. ard the evidence. Sc as to protect the Innocent
2 and secure Justice to all alike. 1t is the solemn
and n parati7e duty of a Jury to pronounce an
i; honest, fair and unbiased verdict. When we
y fail in this delicate and important duty the in
t evitable penalties are smitten consclenceS and
f the ertaiIinr Of disgrace and misery upon our
poste,ily. 70 avoid such melancholy eonse-
t quencas is the part Of nisdon, reason, and Of
moderation. ROBERT TANsII.
4 FATAL WEDDING EyE.-William Sim.