Semi-weekly interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1881-1905, 1882-03-24
70 rgr PEOPLE or KENTUCKY.


and attempted 70 shoot me. The affray
was seen by others, and. AZ consequence
he was indicted for carrying concealed
weapons. II seems that application has
been made 10 the Governor 10 pardon the
young man. To this make no objection.
But ] was informed few days ago, BY q
reliable gentleman that he heard Governor
Blackburn make use Of this language in
speaking Of the application II told him
that my rule was not TO pardon before con-
viction, and ] would not violate Il in this
case, but that II he had killed that id
son Of a b--h, Walton, / would pardon
him before indictment or conviction"
Had this declara ton been reported to me
as that Of Luke p. Blackburn as an indi-
vidual, ! should have given IL no further
notice, feeling confident that he would
not dare 10 use the epithet at least
in my presence. But, purporting as IL
did, 10 come from the Chief Msgis-
trate Of the State and this Chief Msgis-
trate having been freely charged all over
the State with too great laxity in the exer-
else Of the pardoning power, | hoped for
the honor Of the State, that his declarA-
ton had been misunderstood, and that he
had not been 30 unmindful Of the dignity
or duties Of his high Office as was implied
in his language as reported to me, and |
therefore, on the 18th inst, addressed him
by registered letter, mailed that day, as
follows: t.a f....I
STAMFORD, KY, March 10, 1882.
Con. l.. y. Biackbmn.--
SIR A gentleman
tells me that you said to him during a
conversation, that when - applied to
you for pardon for carrying concealed
pistol, and which he drew on me, that you
told him you had made il a rule not TO
pardon before conviction, but would give
him full pardon as soon as the Courts
had decided on his case, adding, "but IL
you hsd killed the Cd DID son-of a.
b-h, | would pardon you right now, with
out any trial or trouble TO yourself" You
will inform me at your earliest convent
enee II you made use Of such language.
w. p. WALTON.
That this letter was received by him is
attested by his receipt TO the postal de-
partment now in my possession. But as
yet the letter remains unanswered. BY his
silence, Gov. Blackburn gives assent to the
correctness Of the report to me Of his re-
marks. That he has made such statements
and on more than one occasion, and under
circumstances which gave assurances
OF free circulation of his readiness to
extend pardon and legal immunity to a
man who might kill me, will not, sup.
pose, be denied by him. This issurely a
great comfort for the man, to whom the
people OF Kentucky have coniided the
pardoning power, to hold out to the many
desperate men, who, like himself, are
smarting under the effect Of the too just
criticisms Of the INTERIOR JOURNAL upon
their shortcomings and misdoings.
IL such be the feelings and motives
which prompt him to this unparalleled
course, he deserves the execrations OF all
honorable men, and the chosen representa-
lives of the people Of Kentucky owe it 10
the State to see that this man who would
resort to this means Of REFRESHING the free
dom Of the press, is, at an early day, in
the mode prescribed by the Constitution,
stripped Of the great power which his con-
duct indicates he is disposed to subvert to
such base purposes.
l know that many to whom Governor
Blackburn is personally known, will, at
lirst, be disposed to pallate his conduct by
attributing it to his well-known propensity
for idle Boosting. But whether it is the
empty vaporing Of selfconceited senility,
or the malignant proposal of tyrannic cru
city for the life Of man who has incurred
his displeasure, it manifests his utter I'M
fitness for the great trust con6ded to him.
II he did not mean what he said, he is in.
capable Of appreciating the solemn trust
con6ded to him. II he did mean it, he is
unworthy OF the Office which he holds.
The pardoning power is, by the Constitu-
ton. confded to the Governor alone, and
in exercising it he is expected to represent
the State land not his personal maligni-
ties.
Had this subject affected me and mine
alone, would not have imposed my
affairs upon the public, but would have
far rather concealed this shameful conduc t
Of the Governor Of my State. But il con
Germs the whole press Of the State, and all
Of the people Of the State, because it is a
direct blow at the freedom Of the press
and / cannot see il otherwise than my du-
ty to give this publicity to it. As the edi-
torof newspaper, ] have, in the discharge
Of what conceived to be a plain duty,
repeatedly criticised in unambiguous terms
the shortcomings and misdoings of Gov
Blackburn as a public official. As citi-
zen, this was my right. As the editor Of
newspaper devoted to the best interests of
the people. this was my duty. In doing
this, | have incurred his sovereign dis
pleasure. Other members Of the press in
Kentucky are under the ban Of his dis
pleasure for like olense. To protect them
and all other citizens Of Kentucky ia tn
exercise Of two Of the fundamental princ-
Piles Of Anglo Saxon liberty-freedom Of
speech and freedom Of the press--as well as
TO warn chivalric Kentuckians Of the foul
blot which threatens her fair escutoheon, l
have felt il to be my duty to publish this
card to the public and to urge upon our
representatives TO investigate the matter,
| am ready 10 prove BY Wiineases unim.