Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-09-16
The ChisOIm Murderers.

Gen. Woodford, OF New York. who accom-
panied Mrs. Chisolm to Mississippi has related
his experience and given his views OF the trial
TO q reporter of the Republican. He says he
never apprehended any danger to himself or
Mrs. Chisolm; that the indicted parties were
never In any danger from any testimony that
could have been given. THE trial was
dreaTy farce from beginning to end" he added.
Gen. Woodford does ample Justice to Judge
Hamm, before whom the case was tried and to
the prosecuting attorney. He says of the
former: 4" He did his duty fearleSSly and justly.
If he erred at all In his rulings he erred In favor
OF the prosecution and against the defense.
Thomas S. Ford, the district attorney did his
duty well and brayely. / studied critically his
conduct OF the case. He had prepared 1t with
care and tried it with good sense and sound
professional Judgment" The General says
the jury was fairly drawn; that the nine
white men were a fair average In inteli-
gence, but the three negroes possessed
neither brains nor courage" The verdict
represents the feelings OF majority of the citi-
Zens OF Kemper county, Gen. WOodford thinks
"lt does Lot represent the feeling of the great
mass CT negroes, nor the white republicans, nor
yet OF small minority of soben.and law
abiding white democrats" he says, These
-tniee classes combined constitute a "clear and
decided majority Of the citizens and legal vot-
ers OF the county" He believes the verdict
represents the present judgment and wishes
of great majority OF the white men Of Kemper
county" He thinks the average opinion of the
white citizens about the ChisOlm affair Is that
SIT was unfortunate, Dut natural, and almost
excusable that the men were shot, "The kill
Ing OF the children Is almost universally re-
gretted," and Is regarded as accidental; that
Lhe White citizens think 'that the conviction
and execution OF anybody for the deed would
ne equally unfortunate, and the entire matter
had better be allowed to die out and be for
gotten. There is no intelligent and brave pur-
pose to vindicate the law and punish the mob
or It's ringleaders." The judge and district at
1orney perform their duty, but there Is no brave
public opinion behind them to hold up their
hands to enforce the law. Gen. Woodford
looks hopefully for a better state of
affairs even In that county within a
Few years. Although no redress was OBJ
Ia1ned by the recent trial, he regards the
TACT that 1t was fairly and impartially con-
Quoted, as great point gained. "The numer1-
Cal majority OF all the legal voters of Kemper
county to-day, In their hearts, condemn the
murder and dlsapprove the verdict. Now they
are poWerlesS, but it Is not possible for this
state of things to continue forever; whenever a
1un and free election Is held In Kemper county
the men who condemn the murder and regret
the verdict will carry the election. 1t Is only a
question OF time" Thus the General sums up
his opinion OF the trial and his opinion of the
nnal outcome 1t must be admitted by all that
Gen. Woodford's expressions concerning the
trial and everything connected with it are
uttered 10 candid and seemingly impartial
manner. He gives credit where it is DUE and
censure to whom he thinks 1t belongs. 1t may
be claimed, In answer to his assertion that q
majority of the white citizens of Kemper ap-
prove the verdict, that a whole community
ought not to be held responsible for the YER
dict OF the jury. Lawyers admit that nothing
Is more uncertain than an ordinary Jury Yer
diets, In conflict with the law and the
evidence are often rendered, but the
people Of Kemper cannot very well plead this
general fact In answer to Gen. Woodford's
assertion. The apparent encouragement re-
cetved by the murderers and the Ientency dis
played by the local authorities towards them
nave created the impression in the north that
the popular VIII did not condemn the crime as
It should have done. Judge Hamm Is himself q
citizen Of De Kalb, where the murder was COM
mttted, and has been for many years. There
has never been any question as to his condem-
nation OF the act, and 1t was known down there
that he would try the case fairly He has q
great deal OF influence among the people, and
win 10 doubt do much In his capacity as citizen,
as well as judge, to bring about the healty state
OF public opinion Gen. Woodford predicts. II
may not be all over with the Chisolm murderers
Yet.