Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1885-07-13
CLUVERIUS-THE CONVICTED.

! To The editor of the Alexandria Gazette:
We have the authority of Bulwer for
saying "the very worst use man can be put
to is to hang him."
1t is a solemn thing to execute the law
upon misguided and guilty fellow mortal,
under the death penalty, when fully proven
as charged, but when the proof is not clear
the law gives the accused the full benefit
of a reasonable doubt.
The question under consideration is one
not for the public to decide, but the court
as ccnstituted-judge and jury but a., in
this case, the local press before and during
the trial sought to shape public opinion, and
as you, very properly, have recently given
publicity 10 two opposite but earnest ex-
pressions Of opinion upon this subject, it
seems now to be fairly before the public for
| comment.
While shall not attempt 10 discuss the
questions involved in detail, but simply
wish to indicate my opinion regarding them,
viii therefore say, | agree, upon the whole,
III the remarks, as published, by "CiLi2an''
and as far as my knowledge goes this is the
general sentiment, ina.much as the charges
have rot been proven. the sentence under
The verdict ought not to be executed
upon the accused IA the case now
sands. The public should feel rs much
CONCERN in seeing the innocent acquitted
IS TO See the guilty condemned. We
should not forget the noble and iinmor-
tai utterance of Julian, one of The wisest
and best Of the Roman emperors, over 1900
years past, sentiment worthy of imitation
in all ages by all civilized communities. It.
WAS just rebuke TO his too ardent, but less
human, prosecuting attorney, as set forth
by G:bhon, viz: WHO will ever he found
guilty. exclaimed the vehement Del phdus,
"if il he enough to deny?" And who," re-
piled Julian, will ever be found innocent if
it be sufficient to affirm 2" Here is the Gu
veri,ls case in nut shell Julian required
that the accused should have the right TO
plead mot guilty." which threw the on~s
propandi on his aceusers, upon the ground
that all men are held to be innocent Until
proved to be guilty, and that the accused
sail always have the full benefit of reason
able doubs. This is all the public, | pre-
sumo. asks in this case. The verdict of the
jury. doubt not, was conscientious! given,
though it appeared to have been rendered
| strictly in accordance to outside lniiu
| ences, Just as mems minds were by the
same means biased hundreds CT miles away.
Every man who cried out ''guilty" be-
fore tho trial was through with got his
| impressions who'ly from what ne hls read. re-
g.rling it, in the Richmond pap3rs, and still
| holds to them-this is GntB obvious. No one, l
presume, would raise his little finger TO save
the accused if reliable proof, clear and direct, can
he had Of his guilt charged, yet his case should
not have hccn prc.iuteed nor sentiment fore
st Ile1 By unfriendly comments, before, and dur.
during the trial, which was unjust to the accused
and public misleading to the Jury aad the public
disappointing 4 fair trial.
Your Markham" correspondent says Cluve
RUS mouth is shaped, it at times looks Ike lie
wore NOUS tache and at others not Cund any
thing be moro uncertain and indistlnct. and l
might say, but for the gravity Of the subject
childish and ridiculous than all this, III case OF
life and DEATH nor does this case depend upon
any othcr--ir rests upon its own special facts and
evidence and in no wise upon other cases or tho
rcmissness of other jurcs The law, nor public
Justice demands no such example nor common
avcragc OF convictions and executions binfly for
the supposed public good the above writer
seems to think.
A few years past Virginia judge was heard to
remark promptly and rather severely, it was
tEought, ID a lawyer who wal conducting crim'-
nat case at bar and was urging the jury to render
verdict as indicated by him which would, he
said be in accordance with the sentiment of the
community The presiding Judge interrupting
said: "Mr VS., am sorry you made that last
remark, aud hope never to see 4 p jury
that will be influenced in their decision by any
outside sentiment whatever" Whereupon the
lawyer apologzed and took back his words. How
different it sec med to be in the late Richmond trial
FAIRPLAY.
"Watcrtsuk Station" Fauquier CO. Va. July ~.