The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-09-19

The acquittal 81 young Hams foT the muir
der OF Edward Hanuegan seems - bayo been
made by many Of Our Northern contempt
raries the ground for serious reelection upon
the administration Of Justice in the Southern
States 1t is unnecessary 10 comment upon
tho verdict except 60 far as 90 say that jury
might well think without fear of being charged
with corruption. that an attack pom man
with an oar large enough 10 BRAIN him b. o
well directed blow was d sufficient Justification
ia d narrow space Ike row boat, from which
the party attacked could not escape. FOX The
use OF so deadly weapon as a pistol in self
defense
But whether the jury who acquitted Hams
were substantially in error or not. 10 IL the
very contamination OF a5surlity TO draw tho
sweeping Inference from . single case that
tho southern instruments of justice are not
TO be relied upon in tho performance Of the
duty that is expected Of them That tho
Radical organs OF the Northern States. which
are always lying in wait for some supposed
act Of derelic;ion on the part Of Southern
men. sho0ld adopt this Wow might have been
predicted with the most impartial confidence,
but that il should be re-echoed by reputable
Southern papers reflects only grave discredit
upon those that arc guilty Of such conduct.
The News and Courier. OF Charleston, takes
occasion to- say in connection with the Hams
acquttal that things have now reached that
pass in the South where surprise is excited
only when a white murderer is convicted a
remark as uubecoming as It Is unjust. There
is no organ Of public opinion in the Southern
States that would moro quickly condemn any
breach Of public morality in this section tnan
The TIMES # this State or the South was
rendered notorious, as our Charleston cou-
temporary asserts by wolul miscarrGzes If
justice, we would be among the very first TO
denounce the evil and steruly demand It's cor
rection But there ia no occasion FOR this at-
titude on our part, unless we make it a rule 20
govern our views Of our sectional affairs by
the pharisaical cutlery Of certain journals Of
the North tina. are only too well pleased to
seize upon tho smallest opportunities 20 dis
credit the civilization Of this section
That thore are in tho South occasional
miscarraPes OF justice in murder TRIALS is uu-
deniable lfitwere otherwise the immemo-
rial proverb Il is human TO err. would nor be
applicable 10 Us. though applicable TO an tho
rest of mankind. But that there are rela-
lively to our population many instances Of
such mscarriages - statement which las
no support in fact. and to repeat II with all
the weight of local authority 10 shameful
act deserving only 81 popular reprobaton.
At this very time. among the many mur-
derers under capital sentence for their crimes
in the Southern States we can recall at least
two whose high social position and dstn.
guished professional standing would. If tho as-
sertion of the News and Courier were correct.
have protected them from the galows 10
which they arc now fastening. Reference is
made 10 Dr. Baker. Of Abingdon. and Colonel
King of Memphis. Butitwould be supereroga-
tory to mention individual instances.
No repeat that there is no reason whatever
% believe that justice Is administered more
laxly in the South than in the North If tho
comparative number of criminals in the two
sections be considered IN the light Of their
relative populations. the Southern people will
have no cause TO feel ashamed or iii grsced.
We called attention yesterday 10 the fact that
in Massachusetts, which claims TO be the most
enlightened community at the North. the pro-
portion Of criminals IN the State ~ large was
one IN every 400 inhabitants. and in cultured
Boston one 20 every ~. Is there O Southern
Commonwealth which can furnish 80 dark
record Us this IN spite of the presence amongst
us of an ignorant population Of blacks
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