Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-06-21

that " JuChtOu utdtn Wao N""S~N
by blow inflicted by Hatcher. There
can be no doubt but the testimony
and all the attending circumstances, so
far from showing that the unfortunate
result was contemplated or desired by
the slave, rather prove that he had no
intention Of committing murder or OF
taking the life Of his overseer, Mr..
Jackson, in any way, and that the UNI
fortunate casualty was one Of those re-
suits which. though deeply to be de-
plored by all, was not contemplated by
any one. The injury was inflicted by
single blow, given at a moment OF
great excitement and suffering. and
without any effort to inilict further IN
Jury. The boy ran from the building in
a manner showing that his object and
effort was but to escape from the chas-
tisement he was receiving. The great
and essential ingredient to constitute
nurder-to wit, intent or malice pre-
pense-was therefore wholly wanting.
That the penalty under such circum-
stances should be death, though per-
haps authorized by the letter, is, ! be-
lieye, against the spirit of our laws
and Of the age, as it is contrary to
mercy and humanity, which are
designed for and extended only
by the unfortunate and guilty. If
Hatcher had been a white man, the ut
most he could have been charged with
would have been justifiable homicide
or involuntary manslaughter, and in
this case it was but manslaughter
without intent to kill. Ny right to
interpose was clear and unquestionable,
and believing this to be exactly one Of
those cases contemplated and provided
for by the Constitution, | commuted
the sentence, as aforesaid. The
power to pardon is high and
sacred trust, but it is one in
the discharge Of which the Execu-
tive Of this Commonwealth is response
bic only to his conscience, his God,
and this State Of Virginia"
This message was attacked vigor-
ously in the Richmond Wig and the
other Wing papers Of the State, and
defended by the Enquirer and its as
sistant Democratic papers. 1t was
charged that the Governor was an
Abolitionist and that he had pro-
mulgated higher-law doctrine. The
external pressure caused him to
send another message to the
Legislature to explain his mean
ing in the first one. He says ::
81 never entertained the opinion nor
did | mean to intimate that the slave
would under any circumstances be eX-
cused or justified in resisting the legal
authority of his master. The right Of
the master or his agent to punish his
slave whenever, in his opinion, he
deserves it is a legal right-re-
suits from the nature Of the
property itself, and is necessary
for wholesome discipline and restraint.
1t is founded on the soundeSt principles
of public policy, and our courts have
held that the owner of a slave cannot
be indicted for the cruel or excessive
whipping of his own slave. If the mas
ter abuses this high power so far as to
commit crime, he is responsible to the
laws of the land alone. The slave has
no rights adverse to those OF the master
or the agent to whom he has delegated
his authority.
with these views long entertained,
it is almost unnecessary to say that in
my late message | did not intend to
convey the idea that the relative posi-
tons of the white citizen and the slave
10 the laws of the country were the
same, or that the exercise by the mas
ter or his agent Of the ample power of
chastisement given by the law furnished
any excusable or justiliable reason for
resistance or an exhibition of resent
ment upon the part of the slave.
Our laws wisely discriminate be-
tween the punishment of white men and
slaves for similar offences, and in my
interpostion in behalf of the slave Jor-
dan Hatcher did not intend to express
the conviction Of my mind that slave
should not suffer death for offences be-
low the grade Of murder. In many
instances it is proper in our execution
of the laws"
These transactions created the high
est state OF excitement in the public
mind in Richmond and the adjoining
counties. Public meetings were held
to take into consideration. " the alarming
doctrine advanced by Governor John
SON." In Richmond the people assem-
bled in the City Hall and passed reso-
lutions highly condenning his action.
and many strong inilammatory speeches
were made, indicating popular disap-
probation of his conduct. The court
room was crowded to its utmost eX-
tent, and thousands of persons were
on the outside, being unable to get in.
After the meeting closed, about Q
o'clock at night, vast number,
amounting to two or three thousand,
marched over to the Capitol Square and
the Governors yard with great noise
and tumult. seeming to intend to de
stroy the mansion and lynch the Gov
ernor. Indeed many who were present
thought it would be done. The peO-
pie used the most violent and dis
respectful language in the loudest
tones to the Governor called him by
many insulting epithets to come out
and show himself; threw stones at the
windows Of the house, and seemed ready
| to infict the direst punishment upon
him. They had the merit Of a mob,
but not its concentration. a leader
was wanting. Had he appeared, doubt
less an awful tragedy would have been
! accomplished, and Richmond would
have been disgraced through all
time. But fortunately there were
men present who could control
the crowd in the interests Of
order. Mayor Lambert, Joseph Mayo,
the Commonwealth's attorney, Colonel
J. S. Spalding, and others, spoke to
them and reminded them of cOnsidera-
tons which induced them to disperse
and retire to their homes in an orderly
manner.
The Legislature was nightly excited
4