Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1830-07-31
ALEXANDRIA. ID. {.
SATURDAY, U0RNING. LUI Y 81. 1850.

SATURDAY, NORNING. July 81, 1850.
The Uea'her has become more moderate, the
Thermometer Yesterday standing at SO. attend
ed with gentle northeriy breeze and humid
atmosphere.
NAPOLEON, who was often greater in express
ing sentiment than in carrying it into practice.
said, that 1t s'would be better for a man never to
have lived. than not to leave behind him srme
traces of existence The idea is not orig al.
but carries force coming from one who. it seems.
studied throughout life to transmit his name and
actions 70 poserity. The world in general. how
ever. is too apt 10 think that those, only "lea'e
behind traces of existence" who, Use Napoleon.
have their career marked with bioad. or who be-
come elevated and distinguished by wealth or
fortune. The quiet and The humble, thn'e who
pursue the even tenor of their wavs. are thought
| TO pass from the stage of life without "beqEeath-
ing legacy" of fame to those who are ia come
after them. But how often do the virtues. The
examples, the good works of the private clzen
surpass in true glory. the most brilliant exploits
Of the ambitious chieftain. The traces OF ex-
istence'' that the former .'leaves behind HIM. "
are to he found in his deeds of charity-in his
virtuous character and In his honorable sentl-
ments; his career is marked with bril- ht instances
of benevoence; and his end is halowe,l with The
tears Of widows and orphans whom he has com
forted and relieved. His fame is complete. be-
cause it is without bIemish lie can lay dows
his life, with the triumphant exclamation OF the
poet
.Ian,que opus eregi q,f7d nec ignes,
J. Nee poierlt ferru,n, aec eiar Gbolerc cetusiGs
aSsa
Our readers have already been informed OF the
result Of the trial of EpEEEzER Cox for the muir
der of Col. Dunn, late Superintendent at liar
per's Ferry. The last Charlestown Free Press
contains report in full of the trial. with the toll
lowing particulars concerning the sentence which
rhas been passed upon the unhappy prisoner.
, On Saturday last. Cox was again led to thu
bar; and it having been reported that he intend
ed on this occasion to address the court, an i'm
mense crowd filed the room. When it was de
= manded Of him, by the clerk. agreeably to thu
usual form, whether he had any thing to say why
: Judgment should not be rendered against him, hi
. replied, with a calm and firm voice. that he hat
nothing TO say. Judge PARKER then pronounced,i
" a most solemn & impressive manner, the following
SENTENCE.
!. Ebens,er Cor:
d am about to perform very painful duty, no
rendered less so by the absolute certainty of you
guilt. | commlserate the unhappy situation G
one so young, and in some respects so gifted
!, notwithstanding it is the proper. natural, newt;
r. bic consequence of your own conduct; and If
advert to The si-eum.tances Of your case in term
n sentence of the law, and from no feeling Of re
y sentiment towards you. The generous symp;
IS thies Of human nature. rather apt to be excl
st ed in favor of. than against. fellow-beng, wh
Is may be considered as already dead to the WORLD
and under such circumstances We are too muc
disposed to forget the atrocity of the offence,
J. anticipating the punishment Of the offender.
At requires some effort to this feeling, an
j. tn pronounce, without reluctance, the stern, "
d righteous Judgment of the Law
n An impartial jury of your country have said
\. upon their oaths, that YOU guilty of MURDEl
l. IN THE FIRST DEGREE. The eyidenc
jusifying their verdict, independent of your re
Epeated, voluntary confessions, was sufficient fo
yonr conviction; and when combined with them
If was full, conclusive, and irresistible 1t has eX
l. hibed an instance of crime, which, consderin
h all its circumstances. and comparing the diabol
s cal act with the alleged motive. is almost whou
}. parallel. 1t seems, that having been dsmisae
/ from employment in the Armory at Harper
: Ferry, by the predecessor of the amiable and un
e fortunate Mr.. Dunn. you applied to him to b
s reinstated: an application which for sufficien
: reasons was refused-that for this provocaol
!, alone, you, in concert, asyou alege. with other
similarly situated, coolly determined to rrveng
, yourself, by taking his life-lhat having faie'
in one attempt. you went to his office. in the oper
o dav. under the pretence Of making second ap
0 plication. armed with musket. which YOU ha,
t previously loaded for the purpose-that. 6ndin.
him alone, aud closing the door after you, you re
( peated yeur application for work, and upon hi
telling you that he had none for you, you instant
ly and barbarouslv, in the hearing and almost IL
the presence of his family. shot him through the
body, before he had full time to rise from thu
chair in which he was seated, or opportunity t.
, make even one appeal to Heaven for mercy.
This is a summary of your own free. and
, fear unconcerned disclosures. corroberated lex
cept to the alleged conspiracy by the testimo
, ny of numerous witnesses; and it proves that
your crime had all the ingredients of murder IN
The first degree. 1t was wilful. deliberate. pre-.
meditated killing, under as slight p-Ovocaton