The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-06-23

ST Louis Globe Democrat
The johnson murder trial. now in progress in !
Tennessee, is liable to lead TO widespread anil
perhaps. valuable discussion as TO the weighsf
that should DE given to the most serious proves
cation, when long time elapses between it and
the act OF vengeance. 1t is familiar law that
the killing of discovered in the act OF dis
houorlng family. or even Immediately his sin
has been discovered, is UNSUITABLE Death for
dishonar under such circumstances has come
to DO regarded AS a fair, nay, almost a commend
fable reprisal. But when, as in the case referred
to. many months have been allowed to
seeks out and Stays HIS enemy, the
mere deliberaton may be considered
as importing element into the case which it
would be social danger to disregard For after
all, even in such sad affairs this it is society
that claims first consideration. The particular
story of the Johnson-Henry case is so well
known that nothing more than the barest out
line is necessary to bring the point referred TO
into prominence. Captain johnson obtained
from his unfortunate wife, by persuasions and
threats, written confession of her intidety
with Major Henry during the latter end of the
summer of 1888 On the night OF Nov. 20, 1888,
the LADY committed suicide.
A subsequent lawsuit instituted by her step
father to set aside deed conveying the Joint
property of Captain and Mrs. johnson to a
trustee for the use of their minor son led to a
trial IN which grave insinuations made
against the husband, going even TO the extent OF
accusing him of having killed his wife. To re-
but these he produced her letters in court en-
deavoring. however, TO conceal such portions Of
them as most severely reflected the reputa-
ton of the dead lady. The court compelled the
reading Of them in full, and their publication
followed Then the husband, who had pro-
viously threatened the life of Henry, vowed that
he would pursue and Kill him. Henry had fed,
and managed to elude johnson until Sept. "a
1884. nearly year after the discovery of the
adultery. johnson then learned that the fugi-
tive was at Hughesville Green county, Tenn,
whittier he drove from Greenville and shot him
to DEATH Such, in brief. is the story of the most
extraordinary, well as the most melancholy
tragedy that has been known for years.
Now, had Johnson in the heat of blood conse-
quent upon the first discovery of his wrong
SLAIN the wrong doer, there can be question
but that the law and public opinion would both
have held him guiltless. But the lapse of time
that occurred between the discovery and re-
prisal especially if, as has been stated partial
reconciliation had taken place between the hus-
band and wife for the sake of their son. and
Johnson had also consented to forego vengeance
for the same sake, does way with all consdera-
ton OK sudden proyoeation or heat of anger. 1t
Is case of cold blood against hot blood, DELHI
crate pursuit and slaughter instead of the light
ming stroke of passion
1t would seem from the reports of the trial
that an attempt will be made to show two main
grounds for the defense, one dependent upon aud
produced by the other. There appears to be no
doubt that the disgrace which had befallen the
unhappy wife was intended TO have been kept as
profound family secret, and that it would so
have been maintained hut for the meddlesome
litigious step father. whose suit to set aside the
deed of conveyance brought about the production
of the letters of confession. This publication,
which wrung bitter tears from the husband in
court it is urged, amounted to second provoca-
ton, and the subsequent brooding to a condition
of insanity which rendered the homicide irrespon-
sible for his acts. It is certain that after that
lamentable exposure the pursuit was commenced
and maintained with unrelaxing vigilance. In
deco, the determination shown, the answering
steadiness OF purpose, and skill, and Judgment
manifested IN the conduct of the pursuit, will be
likely to go long way towards upsettng thu in
sanity plea. should that be seriously interposed
This will then, leave the whole question TO be
settled upon the point originally suggested in
this article: How long may man lie in wait FOR
his vengeance and yet be shielded under the plea
OF provocationY Ii for one year, why not for
two, ten tweptya If hot blood
may be allowed to cool, and ,deliberation
take the place of passion, where is the
limit, if any, to be drawn9 OF course in this
particular instance, no one can fail to have pity
on the miserable man now standing his trial; no
one can say that the punishment he inflicted on
his household foe was even commensurate with
the original wrong But that is not the point
The law must be general in its operations. For
il TO regard particular cases of hardship how
ever grievous would be to throw it into disas-
trous confusion Robbed of its certainty Sof
operation the law instead of being protection
to society, would become shield for criminals
and the foulest instrument of wrong and opress-
ion. This is. therefore, why the Greenville trial
will be regarded everywhere with the most
anxious scrutiny. Upon its result will depend
much in future cases; much, it might be said. as
TO whether similar cases of homicide will, in
future, become few or frequent For the I'M
happy victims of the tragedy, not the seducer
but the poor woman who met with such scant
mercy; for her son whom she sorrowed for, and
for the wretched husband who slew to avenge his
own wrong. the world can have naugbt but COM
passion. But it is not the province of the law
TO be compassionate. The law must be exact il
it is to be respeeted-f it is fulfill the function
of its being. The exercise Of mercy belongs else
where ia