The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-11-15
FRIDAY. NOVEMBER Is. 1912
WE PLEAD NOT GUILTY.

The rvgiaian is in receipt OF communi-
editor the choice of acknowledging his de-
plorahle ignorance or his blind prejudice. He
If condemned as ignoramus; but his judge,
warm hearted and sympathetic, is willing TO
commute his sentence by merely pilloring him
as one who. because OF self-interest. has
assumed position which he knows TO be un-
tenable "You have your choice" he writes.
This correspondent, who signs himself
Reader" in common with many other worthy
men lacks confidence in all newspapers, and
especially in those of Virginia. He does not
believe in the truth of the reports of the Allen
trial appearing in the State newspapers and
written by witnesses of the capture and OF the
trial and he dos not believe the editors who
happen to disagree with him are possessed of
knowledge. ability or sincerity. The Tiroinidn
= not accustomed to hold poor opinion of
others merely because they happen not TO
agree with it, and so assumes that Reader"
possesses a store of information as to the
crime capture aud trial. il has, the greatest
respect for DR.. Mcdaniel and those who with
him believe the Aliens have not had fair
trial His brief prepared in the interest OF
Claude Allen is plaudable one, but The Fir-
ggnien believes that II will not stand the test
Of the evidence brought out in the trial, and
believes, moreover II it should be proven that
Claude Allen did not have the benefit of all
the protection the law affords TO those sus-
pected of crime that the State Court Of Appeals
will apply the remedy. The position Of this
paper has been expressed on two or three
occasions and 1t does not care to discuss the
matter further at this time.
Although our correspondent has apparently
ated solely by sef-interest in their reports OF
news and their editorial expressions. and
although this belief is so expressed to leave
tie impression that his conclusion Is immuta-
be whatever the arguments and facts which
rlay be laid before him 10 prove the contrary,
Tho VIrgininn assures him that while he may
rot know it, he is the victim Of prejudice. 1t
Is the duty of q newspaper to report the facts.
Sc soon as the public learns that it is neglect
ing This duty so soon viii that newspaper lose
public confidence aud patronage. It is the
duty OF the editorial writer's TO study facts,
sift them and TO present their conclusions for
the consideration OF a public which lacks the
time or the inclination TO study them for itself
The editor may be wrong sometimes. but the
opinion he has expressed is reached after
more thorough study OF the facts and after
more careful thought than is usually given 10
tie question by the average This the
editor of The E3rniniGn tries 10 do. The opin-
ions expressed herein are his opinions and the
opinions Of his paper. They are the result OF
some thought and study but are expressed
without regard to the opinion OF any not con
nected with this newspaper. They are given
for what they are worth, and whatever that
may be. Reader may rest assured that they
ara disinterested and as unbiased human
Judgment can be. certainly unpreiudiced by
tie sentiment of the community or of inter
eSted parties on the outside.