The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-09-18
Gets Pardon
CONTINUED from First PaGe.)

fore be properly considered now solely
as regards its effects upon the admin
istration Of justice and the public
welfare. The law has been thorough
~ indicated, and the evil against
which it was directed. in these COM
munities, has been completely crush
ed. Connivance with the abuses of
corrupt magistrates in that locality,
IN the exercise of Il power TO hire
out offenders for payment of fine n
costs on conviction for small and
often sham offenses, in order to reap
profit for the hire. has been thorough
~ exposed n broke up. 1t has met
the hearty ~reprObation Of the great
mass of the people in all walks of life.
The example has been all sufficient to
deter others from like O~ffenseS in the
future.
The press, the pulpit, the bar and
the PEOPLE at large, as we'll as those
In Tall@pOOsa county. have been out
spoken IN their qualification that the
evil has been broken up and have
heartily commended the curse of the
authorities in dealing with it. This
spirit, as You Will see by the accom-
pany1ng petitions, ~actuate the people
Of that county, who. in numerous
meetings have asked the pardon of the
prisoners. Among h signers of pc
l1lIOllS " pdI uOIl are Illdly IlSSicSS.
They feel safe from any repetition Of
like offenses, and join with their white
neighbors in these petitions for Gle
mency, believing, in this instance that
1t will edound to he public good and
smooth the relations between the
races. The great body of the people
Of Tallapoosa county have, in effect,
havior of the prisoners, and the loyal
havior in the prisoners. and the loval
nbCnrxyo roa of tho 1ou- yr fh{c raCno.,y
by all others in the future. A public
opinion, stronger even than the pow
er Of the law. has been aroused to
stand up in the future for justice and
fair play to the weak. Granting the
prayer of these petitioners would rec
Ggnize and strengthen these moral in
fuences which. at least, are the only
enduring foundations of a reign of
law. I cannot doubt that good would
come from granting the PRAYER of the
petitioners.
rApart from these considerations,
there are others which are deserving
Of weight. While the innocent must
inevitably often suffer with the guilty,
such considerations cannot be allowed
to stay the hand of justice, until the
ends Of legal punishment have been
completely attained. When. however,
the punishment of the guilty has
wrought all he end the law designs
for the good of society and ndivid
uals. [ venture to suggest that the au-
thority which has the power to chas-
ten the ~harshness OF the law. may
then we'll consider the weight of mis-
fortune n distress which will befaIl
the innocent and helpless by further
punishment of the offenders.
George D. Cosby has a wife and SIX
children, the oldest a girl of twelve
and the youngest baby born since his
imprisonment. His VIE is Sick and
quite feeble. Barancas COSBY has a
wife and two children. and his wife
Is Tow about to be confined. Both
the prisoners are men of small means
and left theii families no support. The
families of the two Cospys have moved
to the home Of the father-in law. an
;nfirm Confederate Soldier. now sew
enty years of age. They are dependent
upon him for support, when he is
barely able to care for his own fam
lily. The condition of the faIHilies Of
these prisoners appeals keen;y 20 the
people Ct their county. and mas enlist
good people in all parts Of the state,
who while expressing nothing but con
demnatiOn for the ~Offense. have in
letters and personal Interviews strong
ly expressed the belief thar il would
have a wholesome moral effec-. under
ali the circumstances, now 20 l?:dOn
the prisoners.
| After such reflection and considera-
ton or the matter. I u~nhesitatingly
recommend an Immediate and uncon-
| ditlOnai pardon.