Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1908-05-23

night by one standing near that point
they would have been elected a dis
lance anywhere from to 10 feet
from the gun. and they would nave
covered an area OF ten feet in diane
ter, rather than ten inches I'm diane
ter. In other words, that. in con-
nection with what is otherwise shown
with respect to these exploded shells
picked up in the streets OF Browns
Vile, indicates that they had beeH
placed there not as n result OF firing
done by soldiers. but as a result OF
firing done by somebody else who
wanted 20 fix the responsibility for
firing upon the soldiers.
Still other facts were developed
and established by the testimony
that might be cited as confirmation,
OF the innocence OF the soldiers. but
IL is not necessary for present pur-
poses TO prolong the discussion or
that character or evidence.
/ want 10 pass 20 a consideration
OF the legislation that has been pro-
posed. but before taking that up
desire 20 call attention 10 the
PROBABILITIES
OF his case, or rather its improbable
tiles.
To any mind at all familiar with
human nature, and able to reason.
as 10 the probabilities OF human ac-
ton. there is testimony OF the strong
est character In favor OF the soldiers
In the striking improbability Of the
whole theory OF their guilt.
Is IL probable that men OF the
Oh 80
men TO ba would deliberately plan.
such a conspiracy? And II they had
ability enough TO plan and execute
such conspiracy. would they be
stupid enough 10 enter upon its ex-
scution by breaking open their gun
racks, as they did In Company c,
and by firing from their rear porches
as IL is charged they did in Company
b, or that they would be firing from
within the reservation grounds. on
which tEey would remain until by
such firing and such operations they
had aroused the whole town. and di-
recteu attention TO themselves. there
by fixing their identity as soldiers;
and that when they had thus fixed
attention upon themselves, and not
before, they would, In the presence
OF the aroused citizens jump over the
wall or the reservation and start on
their errand or outrage and murder?
Is IL reasonable to suppose mat ~
the raiders were soldiers they yVorId
nave commenced firing anywhere IN
the vicinity OF the reservation II
must ha remembered that IL Is the
theory Of those who believe I'm Their
sullt that operations were common
ced in this bungling manner ara that
YET their proceedings were so care
fully planned that, although they bao
accessories before the fact to enable
them 10 secure their guns and mass
the guards and accessories after the
fact TO enable them to return clean
their guns. and otherwise deceive
their ofhcers. yet all concerned-tSe
PRESIDENT thinks the great majority
OF the battalion-have so carefully
guarded the secret that no one has
allowed single word or hint 10 es-
cape that even tends to convict
Such secrecy would be utterly impos-
siplef but 1t is. II IL were possible
utterly Inconsistent with the per-
Iormances with which their proceed
lngs were initiated. The two ideas
are utterly at variance with eacn
other-at war with each other-they
destroy each other.
And If the soldiers were so reck-
less as TO disclose their identity as
soldiers by breaking open their gun
RACKS and opening fire In the way in
dicated and at the places Indicated
why should there have been main
tanned such secrecy with respect To
themselves and their operations In
other respects?
Is II reasonable TO suppose-can
any fair-miDded man beIieve-that
men capable OF planning and execut-
ing such a conspiracy and Willingly
engaging in such a work would d.,
so secretive on the one hand and a,
absolutely reckless on the other?
And is II reasonable to suppose
that II there were from five or sir
or eight to twenty soldiers engaged
In the raid theV could have gone
through the town to the extent de-
scrioed by the testimony, and I'm the
manner shown by the testimony. ano
then from point distant 500 to $40
yards from the fort have returned To
the barracks and rejoined their com
panies while In the process of for
nation, under the very eyes OF their
omcers, without being detected?
In order to have returned to their
companies before their formation was