Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-06-30
LAMBERT's MuRDERERs.

We copy from Noah's Advocate the follow.
ing account of the trial of Lambert's Murder
ers. II contains some good moral reflections
which we'll deserve to be read.
Ne,o- York, June 25.-The jury in the
case Of the boys implicated in the mur-
der of Mr.. LAMBERT have brought in
a verdict Of manslaughter. This was
expected; at least there was no reason
to believe from the nature Of the testi-
mony, that they could be convicted OF
murder; as it is, the punishment is
heavy; it is confinement for term OF
years in the state prison.
This case is calculated to produce a
serious impression upon the minds OF
parents, guardians, masters and boys.
Here are seven lads, apprentices TO me-
chanicaf trades, carousing, drinking,
and fighting, at one O'Clock in the
morning; disturbing the public peace;
assailing peaceable travellers, and fl
nally causing the death of worthy CT
tizen. These things were not so in
former times, and from the frequency
of these broils, it becomes necessary to
inquire into the causes, and produce a
radical reform by other measures.
We go at once to the root of the evil,
and it will be traced to the early neg
lect of parents, guardians and masters;
they are to blame for the evil results of
their neglect, because if they take pro-
per interest in the concerns Of the youth
inHusted to their care, and inlerpose
their authority in time, their riots and
the unhappy consequences would be
unknown. "A boy should not be per-
mitted to be absent from his fathers
or masters house, aftor 10 O'Clock in the
evening, without being compelled to
give fair account of himself; this and
other faults should be looked into, ex-
planned and punished; they should be
kept close at work during working
hours, and in hours Of recreation they
should be able to give all account of
themselves. A little trouble, a little
exertion, little interest felt for a boy
while young, would be of great and i'm
portant advantage to him as he grewup.
Make him retire early; rise early; eat
sparingly; drink nothing but water;
watch his temper; correct him prompt
ly and splritedly; see that his education
and morals are not neglecled;make him
work, for that is the antidote for vice,
compel him to be civil, tractable s ODE
dient give no saucy answers; use no in
sulting language; assume no ridiculous
airs OF independence; encourage him in
nothing that may make him hateful
and disliked; in short, let parents and
guardians do their duty, and we shall
not have the melancholy example Of
seven lads at hard labor in the state
prison; their morals, their characters
and their propects destroyed forever.
While guardians and parents are
doing their duty to their charge, let the
public authorities cooperate with
them.
Look at the thousands of licensed
grog-shops which disgrace our city ;
look at the bankruptcy, ruin, suicides,
untimely deaths, miserable wives, and
orphan children, produced by rum
Onthis trial it appeared under oath,
that these boys got into this disastrous
scrape, because they had each drank 3
glasses at tipping house in the neigh
borhood Of the affray; three Of brandy,
three Of gin, and two of beer; the COM
pound alone being sufficient to infuri-
ate, intoxicate and madden them
What have we to think of the man,
who, after midnight, could sell to boys
Sc glasses Of liquor? Is such a charac-
ter worthy of a license? 1t is true, that
in populous city, there must be ia
verns and houses for public accommo-
dation; but are we bound to give every
man who will not work license to sell
liquor! Are we to legalize vice? Drum
kenness is the curse of our country; the
facility of procuring liquor and the
cheapness of the article are hurrying
thousands to ruin. Something must be
done to abridge this ruinous, this all
destructive vice. In the case of these
lads, had the jury brought in verdict
of murder, they must have terminated
their career on scaffold; cut off at
their tender years, and all their hopes,
and the hopes of their families; as it
is, their penance will be long and Sc
we're; and in what did it originate? In
being from home at an unreasonable
hour; in drinking glass after glass Of
liquor, indulging in quarrelsome dis
position, which led them into dispute;
then into fights, and finally into the
commission Of murder.
Let this case be warning to pa
rents, guardians, masters and boys
Let those in authority exercise their
authority; let each offence be noticed
and corrected promptly; let admonition
and example go hand in hand; see that
.,1,,, ho,e ,o.l ,o,canticae oro bo,oa