The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1903-10-21
CAR0LINA'S SHAME!

cARoLINA'S SHAME!
The trial of James II. Tillman
at Lexington for the murder of
n. G. Gonzales, ended as we ex-
pected, in a verdict of "Not
Guilty" We had no idea of any
other result, even if the defense
had not put up a single witness
to attempt to rebut the evidence
of the State. We We're fully sat
isfed it was "fxed," notwith-
standing twelve ':good and law
full" men swore to render a YER
dict according to the law and the
evidence. The verdict clears
Tillman so far as the law is con.
cerned, but it does not clear him
with his fellowmen. James H.
Tillmanis mot guilty" according
to twelve Lexington jurors, but
the brand of Cain is upon him
just the same, and put there
by the stenographic reports of
the testimony. A Lexington
jury white washed his guilt, but
he will go through life with scar
let hands and a lashing con-
science. Not guilty Of murder,
after waiting for months to throw
his victim off his guard, and then
without giving him s'no more
chance than a mad dog" shot
into the side of a passing un-
armed man, and made it zone Of
the Cd de est tragedies that
ever happened in South Carroll
na." Not guilty of murder, when
he greeted his victim with Good
morning Mr.. Gonzales, | got
your message" at the same in
slant fred the mdrderous shot,
and On stand he admitted he
~sWore falsely about getting a
message from Mr.. Gonzales.
Oh! what is the use of attempt
ing to prove the falsity of that
verdict. The people throughout
the State, and many throughout
the Nation are as familiar with
the evidence as the jury. Did
James II. Tillman murder n. G.
Gonzales, without immediate
provocation, and without allow
ing him any more chance than a
mad dog? Yes. Did James H.
Tillman make it one Of the Cd
d-est tragedies that tever hap
pened in South Carolina? Yes.
A Lexington jury however, says
not. and their say is law. The
public tribunal will not sustain
their verdict, and notwithstand
ING law and justice has ruthless
~ spat upon, it is not the first
time in South Carolina, be tsaid
to our shame.
Tillman, luckily for his neck,
was we'll connected, he was
guarded by a powerful political
influence, and having this infu-
ence at his back, a jury of parti-
sans such as issued him an award
of freedom was possible, but had
hebeen some friendless creature,
his neck would have been broken
by the hangman's knot. Justice
has been stricken another blow,
her cheeks are mantled with the
blush Of modification and shame,
the proud name Of South Carroll
na is being used to taunt her in
her humiliation, all because
twelve men disregarded their
oaths. and gave certificate Of
character to a man WHO'S clearly
guilty of the horrible crime of
murder.
The press of the entire country
is condemning the verdict, but
what difference will it make to
Tillman, and to his jury. Till
man has gotten what he wants,
and we suppose the jurors have
gotten what they wanted; the
curtain has been rung down, and
the farce is over.
But what of the results? Will
crime go unpunished in the fu-
ture? It depends upon the nature
of the crime, and who commits
it. Many a poor wretch is now
languishing in prison for having
much more excuse to commit
crime.
It is useless to dwell upon
South Cardinals disgrace, but
we feel we should go on record
with our adherence of the dis
gusting travesty on justice. The
verdict may be pleasing to some
few whose minds are poisoned
with partisan passion, but the
masses turn from the sad specta-
Gle with horror for the future.
This foul crime not being pun
ished, will not~deter newspaper
editors from doing their duty, a
legion of murderers armed with
Luger magazines, will not stop
an honest editor from exposing
crime, or from warning the peo-
pie against those who are more
suited for the penitentiary than
for public trust; the records Of
public men will continue to be
grist for the editorial mill, and
whenever exposure or criticism
is essential for the public vel
fare, editors who honor their
calling will continue as if
one Of their number had not