The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1877-05-18
GheGnteltiqeunr.
The Marion County Murder
E'ngR.


The Richmond DiPateh maniiests a
good deal OF interest in the outcome Of
the propolcd trial Of Thompson, the
Federal soldier who has been indicted
and isto be tried for the alleged murder
Of Ice during the war. WepreSumc the
interest OF the Dispatch iS traceuble to the
fact that Mr.. Drinkurd, one OF It's editors,
was formerly editor Of the Fairmont
Tuginian. He writes as one knowing all
about Marion county affairs. Generally
speaking he expresses himself in a COM
mendable spirit Of moderation in regard
to the proposed trial Of Thompson, but
nevertheless seems to be wrought up by
the report that Gen, Kelley is going into
camp al Fnirmont with a lot OF his old
soldiers, in order to sec that justice is
done to Thompson.
We presume that Gen. Kelley has no
serious purpose in this way, notwith.
standing the remarks attributed to him
by The correspondent Of the n. Y. Herald
We happen to know, however, that he
feels great deal Of lnteres. in the case,
as do very many others, citizens and
soldiers, all Of whom depTecate the find.
ing Of such an indictment at this late day
for deed done in military service and
while acting under orders. 1t Is use.
lG4s to disguise the Tact that the convic.
tion Of Thompson would stir up great
commo.ion in West Va, because there
would be thousands Of people who would
attribute it solely to political prejudice
and personal motives, and thus believing
they would not willingly acquiCsce in
what they would regard "a most out,
rageous injustice. The cry that was
once heard in England would be heard
in West Va, running thus:
"ARd shall TrelavnCy de And shall TrslaWa.y
Then thirty tEouanl Cornish men will know the
reason Why"
We take it upon ourselves to cay that
Thompson will never be punished, wheth
er convicted or not, unless facts not a,
yet made public are brought to light, and
Tor the reason that it can never be proved
that he did not kill Ice in the discharge o.
what he believed to be his duty, whether
he had any personal motive or not urg
ing him on to the commission OF the deed
The fact that Senator Arnelt was fore.
man Of the grand jury that found the in.
dictment, and that he was a we'll known
secessionist during the war, has contrib.
not little to stir up great deal OF
feeling among Union soldiers and citi.
z'ns. II we were in Mr.. Arnett's place we
should have felt very chary about finding
such verdict at this late day. by this
we do not mean to say that he did moi
act from conviction Of duty when he
brought in the indictment, but it was 0
proper question for the jury 10 decide
whether after SO many years twas wortf
while to excite a political feud through
outa whole community, and perhaps ,
whole state, in order to::ascertain to wha
extent personal motives had to 90 will
the killing, especially "a there wer,
strong reasons to suppose that he couI,
no. be convicted Of murder. Mr.. Arnet
and his colleagues might very readily
have ioresecn just what has come to pass
and to them belongs the responsibility oI
having relit once more the smoulderins
embers Of the war among their own peo
pie.