Richland beacon., 1880-05-08
A SlanderOuS FalssilOOd.

The LtuisianIan o! April 2itE, IN
which is copied our aceoun, OF the
killing Of Ha'ry Glover by Nj J. ".
S'mms cs this place, with the follow
ing comments added thereto:
The circumstances attending this
murder, a. aarrated By the BBACoS,
leave no room for Us - doubt that it
was deliberate and cull-blooded, and
was committed because the offender
being white man, felt that he gould
kill a Negro With impunitv. The
BEACON man is evidently OF the same
opinion, aud hence he is surprised to
find the jury did not render an opinion
that it was "a cese of tJcHSGble hoH.,-
rtde." That The BEACON and PERSONS
of lis way Of thinking will at,emp,
to create sympathy fer the murderer
ard save his neck from the halter, is
quite evident from the temper Of its
continents, but we trust the officers O'
the parish and its law-abiiins and
juslic.-lov!ng citizens viii see TO i;
that he does not escape the fate he so
richly deserves for bis great crime,
unless he can make better defense
when placed on trial than be has
before the coroner's inquest"
The personal acquaintance Of Mr.
Simms know that he eniertains no
such opinions as those attributed to
him above, while not only the per-
sonal acquaintance, white and coiored,
of the editor Of the BEACON but all its
readers know that be is a frn adyo-
cate of The enforcement of the laws
and impartial justice TO all, regardless
OF color coalition or position in >ocic!y,
as all our exchanges, democratic and
republican, can testify
1t is wei! knOwn fact in this par
loh that the jury Of inquest were Of
the opinion tha. the killing was cxcus-
able homicide. but thought that it was
only required Of them TO state how
the deceased came to his death, with
out saying whether it was murder,
manslaugh,er or excusable homicide
Hence, our comment alluded to BY
the LouiSianian. We obtained our
information frcm the justice of the
peace holding the inquest, and our
statement was, as We stated, simply a
brief synopsis OF the evidence of three
colored men who Witnessed the sad
affair. The fact that no affidavit was
ever made against Mr.. Simms seems
to Indicate that every body was cf
our opinion and we are confident
that every member Of the jury of in
quest would sign statement to the
same effect.
1t is well known fact that, while
we advocate the strict and impartial
enforcement of the laws, we try as
much as possible to avoid creating
sympathy, one way or another, in all
infractioDs of the law, while we depre.
cate and condemn any respec, of per-
sons, on any account whatever, as
much as any person in tie State, the
editor of the Loui,ianial not excep,.
ed; and believe in equal justice before
the law, while be evidently does not.
TIE staple, unvarnisbcd fact of
this case is that the Lomisianian has
attempted to brand as "a murderer
man for defending his person anG;
family, in his own house, asains, tie
assaults of another. who e,nboldened
by intoXicat.on, was in a condition to
carry out his threats Of murder with.
out reflection; and who had also
Invaded the premises AMI raised tie
disturbance unprovokcd while it
also malciously and wilfully accuses
the editor OF the BEACON Of being of
opinion that whiic man could Kill
negro with impunity; all Of which is
q s!andcrous falsehood, which its
lSnoranre Of the facts in the case can.
not Justify or palate.