The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-01-07
SOMETHING MORE AS TO THE
EVANS CASE

In referring to the case Of John Evans
who was found guilty after a fair trial
OF rape, we tried to be guarded n
fair. 1t was stated that We have not
read or heard the evidence, and, there
fore, could ave no we'll grounded opin-
ion as to the guilt or innocence of the
defendant. We stated, however, hat
a culprit when tried in a court over
which a just, well equipped and most
upright judge presided, and with a jury
composed of twelve men of good char
acter and fair intelligence, was found
guilty and sentenced to be hanged,
that even those who had not been
present at the trial or had not read or
heard i'm any way the evidence, might
reasonably conclude that the man ar
raigned was guilty and d~eservedly n
righteously condemned. We think
still that the presumption of the guilt
lies altogether that way.
Since we wrote the editorial and cop
fed from The Rocket newspaper, and a
part of Mr.. Coles article in The
Rocket, we have had some facts laid
before US that are we'll calculated to
demand very careful reflection, and,
perhaps, even an entire revision of
opinion. We shall not go into this here.
Probably the case will come up in
some form again in which new facts
and fresh evidence may be offered, so
we will do nothing to prejudge the
case. We may say this, that it is a
case demanding great c~arefulness of
investigation, and to shut out race
prejudice and anger and all else that
might interfere in ascertaining the
exact truth and in forming a sound,
Just opinion. 1t is a. question of life
and death, and there are, as we have
learned, gentlemen of legal attainments
and ability who are sound democrats
and in on sense negrophilists who
hold that wan is innocent. To cite
but one instance. We learn from a
gentleman tina Colonel n. A. Mclean,
distinguished lawyer in the Rocking
ham judicial district, is SO sure of the
negrO's innocence, that he says if he
had been on the bench "he would have
set the verdict aside" He holds stead
fastly that the evidence did not war
rant conviction" Colonel Mclean, was
the democratic candidate for solicitor
of that district in last campaign.
AS to Mr.. Johns connection with the
case We have this information; he de-
-clined to act when Judge McIver APP
pointed him, but was urged to act, that
pointed him, but was urged to
act, that it was his duty to
come twice. Mr.. John did not seek or
desire the very responsible place. We
learn that when he took charge he
thought the defendant guilty, and that
it was only as the evidence came out
that he became convinced that the
wrong man was on trial. The Messen-
ger gives these new things that have
come to hand and is in no wayq dis
posed to interfere in the enforcement of
law, in the vindication of justice, in
the guilty finding due punishment for
crime. 1t is also not willing in any way
to seek to hang any man who may be
innocent. In other words, it is entirely
willing to leave the case of Evans in
h hands of those who I'VE a right to
know all that is involved in it in the
way of evidence and justice and mercy,
and to have the question of new trial
or pardon or execution settled by 4
clear understanding and a thorough
H~axy;-i1o rf oil +hoA is lynnurp Of tho
case. The Messenger desires to be on
the side of equity and right so far as it
can ascertain it, and in no way to at
tempt to make an extra-judicial deci-
Sion of the case. Having written our
recent brief editorial concerning the
case, and some points unknown to us
having been presented to us, we have
Thought it necessary and right under
the circumstances to give the above.