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The Story - 2005-03-06 21:37:39
�Whereas it is proper for the people in a Government like ours to assemble together to deliberate and express their opinion upon all subjects that agitate the public mind�and whereas all violation of the principles of sound morality and public justice ought to be punished in proportion to the enormity of the offence.�And whereas Doct. Thomas Blackwood stands charged by the confessions of the late Henrietta Bagley, attested by her oath duly administered, and confirmed by her dying declarations with her deduction under circumstances of gross aggravation in violation of the rights of hospitality and of professional confidence which has resulted in her death: And whereas, the lamented death of the victim has interposed, we fear an effectual barrier to his conviction of this offence by the laws of our country, Therefore be it
Resolved, That the circumstances of this case are such as to render it not only proper for our citizens to assemble and express their opinion of his guilt�but that it is the imperative duty of all who regard the claims of society, of domestic peace and the cause of morality and virtue distinctly to express their indignation at such conduct.
Resolved, That the evidence before us is such as to force conviction upon our minds that Doct. Thomas Blackwood, resident of this village, is guilty of the crime of seduction and adultery which the statutes of the State, on conviction, of the criminal punish by imprisonment in the penitentiary.
Resolved, That the course pursued by Doct. Blackwood in revoking the agreement to submit the question of damages into which he had voluntarily entered to the determination of three disinterested men, affords another strong link in the chain of evidence of his guilt already but too perfect.
Resolved, That we must either believe the dying declarations of a ruined woman heretofore sustaining an irreproachable character, corroborated as they are by circumstances in the conduct of the accused, nearly sufficient in themselves to convince us of his guilt, or take the simple denial of the person accused.
Resolved, That the latter we cannot take, but are constrained to believe the former.
Resolved, That in the opinion of this meeting the surest and best was to punish those guilty of crime like this where the law has failed to perform its office, is, to spurn the wretch from our houses, our employment, our confidence and our intercourse; and by every peaceable means to show him the contempt in which characters and crimes like his, are looked upon in this community.
Resolved, That as a peaceful, law-abiding, law-respecting community, we discountenance and reject all those efforts at violence to which popular commotions too often give rise.
Resolved, That we believe it to be the duty of every good citizen who values the security of domestic rights, to use his influence to bring the culprit to justice who has thus wantonly violated the law of God and Man, regardless of the peace and happiness of a bereaved family, and of that religion which he professes.
Resolved, That we extend our heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved family of Mr. Bagley and hereby pledge him our aid and support if there still remains any possibility of bringing him to justice.
Resolved, That the proceedings of this meeting be signed by the officers, and published in the Ypsilanti Sentinel, and the Detroit and Ann Arbor papers.
JOHN VAN FOSSEN, Pres�t.
Joel Fairchild & John Hoff, Vice Presidents.
John Starkweather, Sec�y.
--Ypsilanti Sentinel, March 3, 1847.* * * * * * * * * * * *
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