The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-12-15

| treatment which all human beings are
entitled to when accused but not proven
guilty OF crime, upon the justice and
humanity OF the good people OF Lunen-
burg county. There are. OF course,
drunken rowdies" In Lunenburg,
as her representative. Mr.. Williams, says.
as there are in all communities. who be-
iieve that the way to secure peace and
order Is TO overthrow ali order, but no
one has ever made the mistake OF sup
posing that these rowdies are indicative
OF the character of the people OF Lunen-
burg. The people OF that county are
like the people OF all the rest OF our
Statc-ordcriy. sober. and law-abiding.
The writer of this article served through
the war In the Ninth Virginia Cavalry,
IN which there was Company 'G,
from Lunenburg county. and he can
testify that the Confederate army con-
tanned no body OF more daring, gallant
and chivalrous men than they.
The squadron III" and O." I'M
der Captain Haynes, the Lunen-
burgers being under Captain Boiling,
were the sharpshooters Of the regiment,
and General Stuart always caiIcd for
Haynes squadron when the emergency
Was greatest, and the most stubborn
and obstinate fighting was required.
IT is not too much 10 say that Captain
Haynes squadron had more reputation
than any .othcr squadron in the Confed-
crate cavalry Of the Army OF Northern
Virginia. Men like Company q. or the
Ninth Virginia Cavalry, do not come
from turbulent. lawless. disorderly peo-
pie. They come from a law-abiding,
orderly, God-fearing people. ans 1T Is
only necessary TO make that people I'M
derstand, in a matter OF this sort, what
is at stake to insure treatment OF II that
Is I'm accord with the proprioties OF the
case.
Now. we ten the good people OF Iunen-
burg that their good name and the good
name OF the people of Virginia is involved
in their rousing themselves. ana com
pelng their disorderly elements 10 leave
these negroes alone, while the law Is
dealing with them. The Court OF AD-
peals has said that they have never been
lawfully convicted. and to seize them and
execute them by violence now, is 10 COM
nit murder. and to subject Lunenburg
and all of our state TO the re-
preach that there is no guarntee here
for life, liberty, or property. The eyes
OF the whole world have come TO be
fixed on the case OF these negroes. ana
as they are treated. so VIII we be judged.
Il is OF the utmost Importance that the
rhur-erers OF Mrs. Pollard shall be
brought 20 justice, but 1t is or far great
or Importance that all men shall know
thar every man upon Virginia soil IS
under the protection Of the law, and that
no hair OF his head can ever be harmed,
except in accordance with its precepts
and mandates.
These considerations are so obvious,
and The orderly character of the great
body of Iunenburg's citizens is so well
known. that - we were defending these
negroes, we snout- make no motion TO
have them seTt TO another county Tor
trial We should cast them upon the
manhood, the fairness, and the justice
OF the people of Lunenourg. No com
munffy OF Nirglnians ever failed 10 re-
spond 10 that APPEAL. and the people Of
Iunenburg Will not IAN now. We should
say to the men OF Lunenburg that the
very qualities when fney Stowe. on the
plains Of Manassas. when Captain Haynes
fer, were an caned for now, ana that
they were on trial. as well as these
moor negroes. we should say TO them
that the good name Of Virginia was in
trusted to their keeping. anf that the
eyes Of the rest OF the State We're on
them, watching them 70 see whether
they sun had the stuff in WEN with
Vc,7fc-, they so largely contributed 20 the
OF the Ninth, or whether
they had degenerated. and had come 10
show That the misfortunes OF the past
thirty years had been too much for them,
ana had enervated that character that
led them up during the war face 10 face
with any terror that could be presented.
II this appeal IS made 10 the men of |
I.unenburg, we nave not the slightest |
doubt Of what the result will be. These |
negroes Will be given a perfectly fair |
and Impartial trial in runenburg, by |
Lunenburg jury. II they are proven 10 |
be guilty. after searching investigation !
into an the sources OF evidence, they |
will be convicted. But If that search
ing scrutiny of all that is presented fans !
TO show their quit beyond all reasonable
doubt, they Will be acquitted.
and What a glorious thing for the good
name Of Lunenburg county, for the good
name of Virginia. and for the immortal
of local self-government such
a triaT would be. Ii would make every |
heart swell with pride If he
could point 10 an orderly. impartial in
vesugation OF this matter going on IN
whne the pillows 0i passion
ana excitement surged around and dashed
themselves 10 pieces upon the firm deter
OF the good people OF LINEN
burg to preserve order and UPON an un-
Terrified jury Of her sons.