Portland gazette and Maine advertiser., 1807-06-08
REPORT OF SELFRLDGEl TRLAL

REPORT OF SELFRLDGE'4 TRIAL.
A REPORT Of the Trial of THOMAS Oh
1vER SELFRIDoE, Esq. for killing CHARLES
AUsr1N, on the Public Change in Boston,
is now bofore the public. A single glance
at it enabled us to conclude, that it was,
with regard to the import ance of the sub
icCt, the manner in which it was treated IN
court, and the execution Of the work, deser-
wing Of very attentive consideration. For
the delay which has attended our notice Of
the work, we now are repaid by the conf
,ence with which we are enabled TO vOuch
for it to the public, as a'book that ought to
be treasured up by every American who feels
a Just and honorable pride in the literary
reputation Of his country The admirers Of
forensic eloqucnce will, in this work, find
specimen which may b. put in reputable
competition with some Of the brightest on
record in the courts Of Europe nor Is there
III the general management Of the trial, no
less Of pene tratIon, aCuteness, legal skill and
discernment, than in the best of those of
the old country. For solidity of Judgment,
sound and extensive judicial information, lu-
minous exposition Of the law, and cOnscien-
tlous impartiality, the Judges charge stands
wise, and learned Judges, who have for the
last century graced the British Bench
Looking out for particular passages to offer
in proof of what we say, the speech OF Mr..
DEXTER presents itself in high relief-We
subjoin passage which will serve to shew
the talents Of the orator, and although it in
culcates doctrine which, at least, is dubi-
Gus, we think it but justice t. him to give
il upon account Of its oritOliUal beauty. 1t
Is the lot Of man to be frequently placed in
dilemmas, TO find moral duty, and appar-
ent necessity calling HIM different ways-to
find precept at variance with the practice OF
fhe world-and to think himself permitted
TO bend the right rules of morality down 70
worldly customs which are barbarous q bad
This condition Of mems feelings, as eZcm-
phfied in the case Of dueling, Is tIeated II
mastery manner, 50 fan as relates TO talents,
BY Mr.. DEXTER. But while we say so
much, we enter our protest against hIs doc
trine, as in high degree pernicious and
contradictory to the religion We profess
The EGJU Is written, and no man should fancy
himself invested with right to CIsobey u,
or to fritter away its behests with ingenious
sophistry. 1t Is the next glorious pler ga-
tive Of thinking beings that they Can cbtan
dominion over their passions and preJudloeS,
and are enabled by the reason which God
has given them to do their duty, and not ac
quiesce in the heated notions with which
the savagery of fashion has filled the world.
AT all events the excuse Of sudden anger,
which may be pleaded in mitigation Of the
act, viii not avail for the cool, deliberate
justification Of the principle. After All, VEL
ry much We fear that MIR. DExl ER, witt
have more people on his side OF the ques-
tion than we shall, especially as his is enforc
ed by eloquence, which if not unequaiel
has rarely been surpassed. Let us be per-
nitted to repeat that every American who
keeps a case of books, ought 10 have this
upon his shelf.
" 1t is a most serious calamity, for man
Of high qualifications for usefulness, and de-
licate sense Of honor, 10 be driven to such
crisis, vet should it become inevitable, he
is bound to meet il like man, to Sumon all
the energies of the soul, rise above Ordina-
~ maxims, poise himself on his own mag
naniInity, and hold himself responsible only
to his God. Whatever may be the conSe-
quence, he is bound to bear them, to stand
like mount Atlas,
" When storms e tenbests thunder on its bro7g,
6 And oceans break their 6iEloSgs at his feet"
Do not believe that am inculcating opin-
ions, tending to disturb the peace of socle-
y. On the contrary, they are the only
principles that can preserve it. 1t is more
dangerous for the laws to give security to 4
man, disposed to commit outrages on the
persons Of his fellow citizens, than to au-
| thorize those who must otherwise meet ir-
| reparable injury, to defend themselves at
every hazard Men of eminent talents and
| virtues, on whose e1ertiohs, in perilous
times, the honor and happiness of theil
! country must depend, will always be Liable
/ to be degraded by every daring miscreanl.
if they cannot defend themselves from pei
sonal insult and OUTRAGE. Men Of this a.