The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1821-1823, 1821-12-26
BOSTON, DEC. OF, 1927
EXECUTION OF .M.aRIT.N.


Yesterday, about IL O'Clock, Michael
Martin was executed in the rear of the
Jail at Lechmere's Point, Cambridge, for
highway robbery. A few moments be-
fore the sentence of the law was carried
into effect, he Joined fervently in prayer
with the Rev. Father MsQuade, a Roman
Catholick clergyman. He was not heard
to address the spectators or to make
any particular observation respecting his
fate. His department, however, was
becoming and the spectators, who
were numerous, conducted themselves
with decorum and propriety suited to
the OCCASION.
The offence is of very rare occur
renee amongst US, and the present will
be the first example under the authori-
ty of the statute. Before our ancestors
crossed the Atlantick, and landed on
these shores, the crime of robbery was
punishable by death. In the year f642,
the law was so far altered and modified,
that third offence only was regarded
as capital. The progress of society,
however; rendered it necessary, in the
course of 60 years, to frame laws which
would more eflectually put a stop to the
progress of the crime. From the years
T762 to 1885, law was in force, rem
dering it punishable by death in all
cases, with or without the use of dead
ly weapon. In 1906, law passed the
Legislature of our State. repeating the
former statute; and so far, altering its
provisions, as to make the offence pun
ishable by hard labour for life in the
state prison. This was then deemed
sufficient to arrest IFS career. Recently,
however, Legislators have thought the
offence required greater punishment !;
and that where dangerous or deadly
weapon was employed, the life of the
offender should be required for the
safety of society. 1t was in consequence
of this, that the present statute. (of 1879
was created, and publick justice, and
the alarming inroads of iniquity, which
are constantly making around us, de-
mand strict enforcement of the very
letter of the law. Martin was an offend
er, hardened in wickedness, obdurate
and malicious in crime. His life was
forfeited by the laws Of, bis country, af-
ter iair-a and impartial hearing and the
free verdict of his jurors. The offence
with which he was charged, and which
was proved against him, is one of the
most daring that ever disgraced human
ity, at the same time that it is one of
the most objectionable. Heopenly pre-
sented pistol to the breast of human
being on the highway = and though he
did not take the life of his victim, hay-
ing obtained his property by a threat,
TO require life if refused, the law very
properly knows no distinction between
the intent and the preparation of the
crime. 1t is idle to contend that no of
fence ought to be considered capital
but murder, and that executions ought
to be entirely abolished. Those who
maintainthis theory, do not reflect upon
the consequences of the measure for
if they did, itwould never pass from
their lips. No man could sleep safe
in his bed, if the restraint of a capital
punishment was taken from the law
/ No man could walk secure and fearless,
if the dread of the hangman did not in
spire the criminal with sense of the
awful fate which awaited him from the
indulgence of. his deadly passions.