Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-08-04
The Lurcnburg Cases.

The statement made by Messs. "iSc
and Flournoy as to their visit to Lunen-
burg. which appears in this paper TINS
morning. is marked by calmness ana
conservatism creditable TO those distin-
guished gentlemen. They are OF counsel
for the women who are seeking new
trials. and they will prosecute those
prisoners appeals; but this they propose
to do without induging in any animal
versions upon the Judge or Jurymen or
people Of the county.
They report that some OF the Lunen-
burg people are in a state OF abnormal
excitement, and they express regret that
the County Judge did not see fit to
change the venue for the trial OF these
cases; but this is about all the comment
that they make. =,
Judge organ and the ConmonwealthS
Attorney have promised 10 furfish
Meesrs. Wise and Flournoy with writ
ten statements Of the testimony produced
before the trial juries. Such n state
nent as this is much wanted. The pubic
would like 70 see IL. 1t may he that II
will remove the Widespread impression
that the women were convicted almost
entirely upon the testimony Of the arch-
lar. solomon Marable. At any rate II
will give US light that we have not now
Nessrs. Wise and Fiournoy also say
that they found the people OF LunenDurg
srrarting under the criticisms that they
have received from some OF the news
Minors. We do not wsnder at this. Some
Of the publications seem unju5tiiiable, ana
we do not wonder that there is an outcry
against them. But it would be a great
mistake for the people OF Bunenourg TO
retaliate by bringing foolish charges
against our military.
we cannot but believe that upon care
full investsatioa and hearing both Sides
II will be found that no discreditable act
is chargeable to our soldiers That some
Idle talk was ndulged in IL quite pos
sible but the letters o: commentator
received and the verbal expressions made
when the soldiers were leaving the county
exclude the idea that the conduct OF the
military was anything but what IL ought
TO have been.
As for Cartain Cunningham, he is too
well known hero as thoroughly honor
able man 10 suffer in the opinion OF this
community by any suggestion that he
coaxed Solomon Marable to tell aught but
the truth. In the goodness OF his heart,
We doubt not that the captain hoped
not only to be able to bring out the whole
truth, but to be instrumental in aiding
Mr.. Pollard to recover his money. but
that he put any words into Solomon's
mouth is too incredible for belief.
We erieve at the controversy which
brings iato question the good faith OF
any Of our military. out no one mere
desires to suppress any fact. Everything
will come out in due time. A committee
OF Lunenburg citizens is preparing
statement for publication, and when that
is out ANY charges that 1t may sontain
will be answered.
Meanwhile however. The simple ques-
ton is: Were the women convicted upon
sufficient testimony We think that there
are few persons IN Virginia who would
care TO have them hanged upon the I'M
supported evidence Of Solomon. But, In
asmuch as the Judge and Commonwealth
Attorney have promised to furnish,
under their own signatures, tina testimony
taken upon the trials, we shall soon know
whether Solomon's testimony was cor
roborated or not. From the very begin
Ming such statement has been much
needed. and. perhaps. If il had been MADE
at an early day. some OF the unhappy
misunderstanding that have arisen might
have been avoided.