The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1877-11-21
Justice IS our Plea,

The trials now pending in Columbia are
attracting the attention of the whole
country. The ayes of America are on
Judge Townsend's Court. Not only have
Cardozo, Smalls, Carpenter and their
miserable eoafreres been put upon trial
the South Carolina Democracy and the
administrator they placed in power seem
to be on their trial also. The rabid Re-
p~ublieanisln Of the North is casting its
evil eye CD the Court now sitting in Col
nmbia and what is the spectacle it there
beholdss If we are to credit the organs
Of that relentless party, q wicked thing is
being done there under the sun. Accord
ing to Them there is being enacted in Col
umbia a wholesale slaughter Of the inno-
cents The sword Of justice. say they,
has been turned into a sword Of party
vengeance, and under tho sacred forms Of
law, the Democratic party is taking ruth
less revenge on the otice-holdsrs of the
late administration. Twas 6vey thus.
1t is so easy to raise the cry of perseeu-
ton. 1t is SO much better to wear q mar
tyr's crown than a criminals garb. We
cannot imagine o better device for turn
Ing the attention of the country aside
from the true issue 1t is used for the
purpose Of inducing the American people
toloek OIL Cardozo, Smalls, Cass carpen-
ter and the rest as Republicans persecu-
ted by the triumphant and merciless De-
mocracy, instead of regarding them in
their proper character OF citizens of this
State, accused, tried and found guilty by
ajury of their peers in the Courts of this
State. The evidence Of their guilt is clear
and OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES does it matter {?
They are martyrs. The grand jury that
presented them was drawn during the
reign of the immaculate Chamberlain
what does it matters They are martyrs.
The jury that found them guilty is COM
posed OF seven colored and FIVE white
jurors, among whom it is to be inferred
that Republieanism OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
does it matter? They are martyrs.
They had excellent Couusel--thaa whoal
few are better; for Melton and 4. b.
Carpenter are living proofs that q lnan
may be an odious carpet Dagger or still
more edious scallawag and yet :aN able
lawyer but it matters not. The Re-
publican party will persist in awarding
,Cardozo, Smalls and Cass Carpenter,-il-
l~ustrious triumvLate-them martyrs crown
Morton has been cannonized-an awe
struck republic has witnessed his apoth
costs. And who more worthy to be, ele-
waited to the .blissful companionship OF
such a saint rs the three innoceuts who arc
now in the power of the blood-thirsty
Democracy? These fallacious and mis-
leading statements are not without.their
intended result. There seems to be a
shrinking on the part Of some of our peo-
pie from inflicting on these guilty crimi-
mails the punishment due their misdseds.
1t will have, g bad effect at the NORTH. it is
said. Mrs. Grundy lisa nuisance in soci-
ETY.; in national politics she is. an intru-
der whose presence must not be, endured.
Let the law take its proper course. Let
our people avoid the extremes Of exult-
lug hate. and revenge on the one hand. and
charitable .timidity and u -adHised senti-
mentality on the other. We would not
forget the s%criptural preeept, '"Rejo:ee
not, whensthine enemy falleth, and let not
thine heart be glad when he stumbleth;' -
and Portals appeal for mercy. come s to
our mind like sweet melody. II there
he any mitigating circumstances. let the
guilty culprits have the. fallbeneftsthere-
.ni. But beyond this 1t would be wrong
and mischievous to go. In a State AS
;i:i household some ofthe most grievous
ayroDgs are done by misplaced forgive
i.,oss and ill-tined mercy.